A little refresher on history would tell you that the status symbol of a throne was the arbitrary choice for the highest-ranking officials of government and religions commonly understood to be the seat occupied to “elevate” the rulers from the commoners. The head honchos from the new recruits. The boss from their employees.
And some people take pride in showcasing their seats of power, especially politicians.
But when Manila Standard went to the office of the late AKO BICOL Party List Representative Rodel M. Batocabe, there was no proverbial “seat,” not even the engraved desk nameplates given to every Honorable were to be found anywhere near the spot he frequented.
Why? He just didn’t feel so.
“Yan, diyan lang siya,” said Llanah Bagalayos, Political Affairs Assistant III, who worked closely with the Congressman, while pointing to an office chair.
"He would remind us frequently to always do our task beyond the call of duty."
“Kapag nandito siya sa office at dito siya maglalunch, tinatawag niya kami tapos sama-sama naman kaming lahat dito sa table para kumain, mag-usap,” the executive assistant to Batocabe added. “Hindi naman siya mahilig mag-desk, kase rason niya parati din naman siyang nasa labas para um-attend ng meetings, at para makasama ‹yung constituents niya.”
Perhaps it was this openness to his staff that made “RMB” endeared so much by the people working with him. A kind of relationship that touched the essence of friendship, mentorship, and respect.
“Siguro he saw himself in me,” said Bendell Yamo, Legislative Officer for the solon. “Like me, he was also a working student when he took up law in UP, kaya siguro he saw something in me para kunin ako,” he added.
Yamo, 40, has been working with AKO Bicol since 2016 and recalled his very first meeting with the eclectic representative. “Dumating siya naka-polo shirt, simpleng-simple. Sa interview nalaman niya na I’m a working law student na may pamilya na. ‘Ganyan din ako noon’ sabi niya sa akin,” he said of Batocabe whom likewise started out as a staff in the House of Representatives while studying law, before leading a topnotch party to three successive terms in Congress.
“Since nu’ng una napansin ko na hardworking siya, at ‘yun ang gusto niya ma-imbibe namin. Ini-emphasize niya talaga ang discipline at work ethics and ‘yung importance ng making yourself always available.”
The legislative officer, who was primarily involved in drafting Batocabe’s bills, resolutions, said that «boss RMB» had this belief that much potential deserved equal responsibility.
“The more the utos, the more the tiwala (laughs). Sinasabi niya parati, ‘pasalamat ka binibigyan pa kita ng tatrabahuin kase alam kong kaya mo gawin. Kaya siguro sabi niya (working here) is your ticket para makapagtapos ng pag-aaral, gusto ko after 5 years wala ka na sa congress, lawyer ka na, “ Yamo said, visibly moved as he recalled the confidence Batocabe had for him.
Batocabe, who would have only been 53 this coming April, was the epitome of hardwork. He was very hands-on with his priority bills, and very passionate when it comes to the concerns of his constituents, especially the PWDs and senior citizens, says Yamo.
“He would remind us frequently to always do our task beyond the call of duty. At hindi ka dapat magyabang kahit marunong ka na. Paniwala niya kapag willing ka matuto malayo mararating mo,” he added.
As a boss, Batocabe was very reasonable, says Bagalayos, 23, and understood his staff. “Simple siya. Parang hindi nga siya congressman,” she said in jest. “Nangunguha pa nga ng ulam minsan eh (laughs). Lalo na kapag isda ang ulam namin, magkakamay talaga siya kahit naka-amerikana.”
The EA, a direct hire by Batocabe in March of 2018, says that whenever RMB was around, the workplace was as boisterous as it could get.
“Palabiro din siya. He’s a very jolly person,” she said while showing Manila Standard one of the many videos of Batocabe teasing his staff inside the Partylist Coalition Office, of which the Bicolano solon was President.
“Pero kapag work, work talaga. Seryoso siya sa trabaho niya. Lahat ng papagawin niya dapat may sense of urgency. Kaya minsan nagsusungit kapag may nawawala siyang papeles. Pero nagga-galit-galitan lang minsan ‘yun, pagkatapos wala na. Kahit may pagkakamali kami, pinapatawad niya,” she added.
When asked to describe their late boss in just one word, Bagalayos said Batocabe was one of the most “colorful” characters she has had the chance to work with, ever.
Yamo however, despite trying hard to pull out the right one, could not, saying RMB’s worth can’t be described by a solitary word. On hindsight, maybe that’s what RMB was in his life, think of any superlative and he’ll probably be miles better in any way, shape, or form.
Batocabe would always tease his staff “kapag nawala ako dito sa office na’to mami-miss niyo rin ako.”
Yes, RMB, you will be missed, but never forgotten.