I got to meet Gibo at the UP College of Law where he was known to be an exceptional student, which reputation he cemented when he topped the 1989 Bar exams. Years later, I would chance on him in Congress whenever I would serve as a resource person for hearings on human rights bills. The last time I personally conversed with him was when we happened to be on the same plane to San Francisco a few years back. He was with his wife Nikki and their son Jaime.
Gibo or Gilbert as we knew him seems to be a friendly person and a devoted family man. He doesn't have the "mayabang dating" (boastful airs) even with his accomplishments like a Harvard Master of Laws.
Indeed, Gibo is "Galing at Talino."
For his country "Strategy" if elected president, Gibo will work to "LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND." And for Bikol, he has these plans (http://gibo.ph):
"...Top priority is put on natural disaster preparedness for the region. As proactive solution to the problem, construction of river dams is needed. The local drainage system also needs regular maintenance and unclogging to prevent flooding."
"Economic zones in the region will rise by way of land development and aggressive promotion. This will work alongside remodeling the current trading trends through facilitating small and medium enterprises and pushing forward to stronger international trade.
"Much potential is seen in Bicolandia's steel and engineering sector. Ample support will be given to research programs on the metal industry in order to convert it into a profitable economy."
This program looks well-grounded as with his views on other issues like charter change through a constitutional convention, improving the economy through innovation, fighting corruption through transparency and improving government people's standard of living, and addressing political dynasties by beating them through realistic campaign finance reform to capacitate political parties to finance able alternative candidates.
Over-all, asked on why we should vote for him, Gibo replied, thus:
"Because I provide a balance. Kasi po, ako'y nagtataglay ng balanse ng pagsulong sa reporma at pagsulong ng kinakailangang programa. Ako lang po siguro ang naghayag ng pangangailangan ng pagpapatawad, pagkakaisa, pag-uunawaan para sa kinabukasan at hindi pagbebengansa. At dahil po sa importansya ng kapayapaan sa ating bansa, na araw-araw ko pong nakikita, hindi po nadarama ng mga tao sa Luzon, Visayas at bilyun-bilyong na sanang pagkakabenepisyuhan ng ating bansa kung matahimik ang Pilipinas--hindi nila nararamdaman kasi na tahimik tayo dito. Pagka hindi po nasolbahan tong problema na to, hindi nasolba, napakalaking mawawala sa ating bansa at siguro sa eksperiensya ko na may mga desisyon din tayo na nagagawa or napupunta sa ating balikat na mangangahulugan na baka may mamatay o may mabuhay, napakalaking maturing experience po nito at ito po mga katangian na mabibigay ko sa ating bansa."
Verily, a president is defined by his ability to strike a balance between competing interests and concerns. MaGIBO niya kaya ini?