In Parañaque’s Second District, the people witnessed the rise of Rep. Gustavo Tambunting, commonly known as Cong. Gus, a public leader who fostered growth within the community and valued the trust of his constituents, further empowering him to strive for new horizons that benefit the public.
Rep. Tambunting’s political career began when he was 23. He ran for a seat in the Municipal Council of Parañaque and won in the 1988 local elections, transforming him into a public figure that his constituents would soon know and love.
Despite his early political career start, Rep. Tambunting prides himself on being one of the youngest councilors ever elected in Parañaque. Knowing that the public trusted him even though he was still young encouraged him to become a proactive public servant.
From there, Rep. Tambunting went on to win several more elections and serve three more terms as councilor. He topped the councilor elections in the 1992 and 2004 elections with record-breaking votes. He was also awarded Most Outstanding Councilor for three consecutive years before taking a break from politics in 1995 to concentrate on the family-run business. He found it heartwarming to witness the people of Parañaque trust him as a councilor for many years. However, although he knew his duty was to the country, Rep. Tambunting realized he still had a duty to fulfill for his family, a value that has always been at the core of his decisions and actions.
The district representative stepped back from Parañaque politics and assumed leadership in his family-run business, Superior Maintenance Services (SMS), founded by his grandmother, Mila del Sol, the queen of the Philippines’ golden age of cinema. With him at the helm, SMS grew to serve hundreds of clients, big and small, providing thousands of jobs to Paranaque and its neighboring cities. Eventually, SMS expanded to other cities outside Luzon to bring top-notch maintenance services to other regions.
Even though he took a break from public office, Rep. Tambunting continued to find ways to contribute as a private citizen. In 1999, the Parañaque Chamber of Commerce and Industry honored him with the Salambao Award for being the city’s Most Outstanding Businessman. At 35, he became the youngest president of the Rotary Club of Palanyag-Parañaque.
In 2007, he started serving as the Vice Mayor of Parañaque and was re-elected in 2010 for a second term. During his six years as Vice Mayor, Rep. Tambunting maintained a 100 percent attendance record as the City Council’s presiding officer, focusing on programs that supported the family.
Rep. Tambunting firmly believes that strong families build equally strong societies. He actively collaborates with his constituents to develop legislation that supports Filipino families through diverse social services, including housing, labor, and health.
In 2013, Rep. Tambunting was elected Congressman of the Second District of Parañaque City and re-elected for the same position in 2016. As a congressman, he authored and supported several measures passed into law, including RA No. 10747, otherwise known as “An Act Promulgating a Comprehensive Policy In Addressing the Needs of Persons With Rare Diseases”; RA No. 10653, which increased the amount of 13th-month pay and other benefits exempted from income tax; and Republic Act 10742 otherwise known as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015. These legislative achievements have significantly improved the lives of the people in his district, demonstrating his commitment to public service.
In 2022, he was elected again and is currently serving as the 2nd District Representative of Parañaque City. He is presently the Chairperson of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, a role that allows him to shape the policies governing our public utilities and services. He is also the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Labor and Employment and Committee on Transportation, and a Member of the House Committees on Accounts, Banks and Financial Intermediaries, Games and Amusements; Government Reorganization; Metro Manila Development; Nuclear Energy, and Ways and Means. These roles give him a significant influence in shaping national policies.
“Cong. Gus”, as he is more popularly known, continues to fight for his advocacies, such as Freedom of Information, rights for the homeless and underprivileged citizens, benefits for senior citizens, and SSS pensioners. He takes an active role in plenary sessions and committee meetings in Congress, ensuring that these issues are given the attention they deserve.
Throughout his more than three decades in service, Rep. Tambunting’s dedication to help remains steadfast today. His continuous service, even in the face of challenges, is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the people of Parañaque. For him, serving the people of Parañaque has become a vocation for him and his family, allowing them to create a tight-knit community that continues to grow along with the times.
