Commentary
The Man Behind the Title: Not a Politician, But a Public Servant
By: Chantal Jade Tolores
As a journalist, I have always stood firmly for the truth. Not for personalities, not for politicsโbut for truth. I have never idolized any public official, and I never will. My job is to question, observe, challenge, and speak out when no one else will. I do not tolerate corruption, oppression, tyranny, mismanagement, or political gimmickry in any form. I do not stay neutral when justice is at stake. And I have never hesitated to call out what is wrong.
But today, I am here not to expose a failure, but to disclose a truth that deserves to be heard.
For the past five months, I have worked inside the halls of the Local Government Unit of Kalibo, under the Sangguniang Bayan. I had the rare opportunity to observe and work closely with public officials, not as a reporter but as a colleague. I watched them make decisions, serve constituents, speak in session, and act outside the spotlight. I saw the difference between performative service and authentic, lived-out leadership.
One man stood out.
SB Member Matt Aaron Peren Guzman proved that he was not a brand but a promise, a promise fulfilled in deeds and work.
I first met Sir Matt in 2016, not at a formal event or political gathering, but on a basketball court in Brgy. New Buswang. He was that ‘pogi na basketball player sa New Buswang’โhis charm drew smiles, but his character drew admiration. He didn’t just play for himself. He coached the youth for free, encouraging, guiding, and mentoring them.
Our paths crossed again and again over the years. And when he ran for his second term as town councillor in 2022, I knew who he was beyond the campaign. I studied his record. I saw the ordinances he authored, the projects he pushed, and the resolutions he fought for. I voted for himโnot because I was impressedโbut because I believed.
Still, belief does not mean blind praise. I openly criticized him during the Kapihan sa Aklan forum and questioned his handling of the Transport and Traffic Management Code. And to his credit, he never held it against me. He listened, responded, stood by his decisions, and never shut the door on dialogue.
Working beside Councilor Matt Guzman, I saw the man behind the title, who spoke of plans with “we” instead of “I.” He is a man whose words may not be polished but are rooted in conviction.
“Pag hinambae ko ta ron ne, panindugan ko ta,โ he told me that onceโand he meant it.
Sir Matt understood that public office is not a crown but a responsibility. Power is not a prize to flaunt but a trust to protect. His leadership is not built on spectacle but on substance.
What sets him apart is not just his competence but his humility, compassion, and acts of kindness, which never make the news but speak volumes about the kind of leader he is.
I witnessed moments that moved me deeply.
There was a day when an older woman on the street asked for spare change. He gave what little money he had left in his pocket without a second thought. Another time, he saw a tired vendor roaming the town in the scorching heat, selling fish that no one wanted to buy. Sir Matt didn’t bargain. He bought everything.
โAgud maka pahuway man ikaw, hay mainit agud hindi eon ikaw sige linibot,โ he told the vendor. He gave the fish to LGU utility workers, so they would have something to cook for dinner.
I’ve seen him sit with ordinary citizens, hear them out, and treat every concern, no matter how small, as if it were his own. He doesn’t just listen; he carries their stories with him. He doesn’t speak over people. Instead, he speaks with them.
He would ask me countless times, โPaalin ko baea sanda ra mabuligan ne? Paalin baea kita kanda kara makabulig?โ
I will never forget one moment. We had just crossed a busy street when a mother’s baby dropped its tiny shoe. Without a word, Sir Matt returned and picked it up, gently handing it to her with a smile. It wasn’t a grand act but showed something greaterโthat his heart is in service, not status.
This is the kind of man he is. He helps because it is natural to him, not for applause or cameras. He lives modestly, serves quietly, and treats every person with dignity.
Sir Matt is not perfectโno leader isโbut he is honest, decent, God-fearing, and true to his word. In a time when public office is often seen as a ladder for personal gain, he remains a servant of the people, grounded, transparent, and committed to service.
He has never been tainted by scandal. He does not enrich himself with public funds. He does not bend to special interests. He serves, not to be recognized, but because it is the right thing to do.
I can boldly say that he is against corruption and his sole duty is to serve the people, not to be beholden to “special interests.”
That is why I voted for him. That is why he deserves to win.
And now that he hasโlet me say this from the heart.
Sir Matt, congratulations on your well-deserved victory. You did not win because of hype. You won because of faith, because the people know who you are and trust you. Your win reflects the subtle, tireless service you’ve given long before the elections came.
May this new term be filled with strength, wisdom, and grace. We are proud of you. We stand by you. And most of all, we thank you for being a public servant who reminds us that politics, when done right, is still worth believing in.
Congratulations and maraming salamat po. Padayon, Sir Matt!
