Let’s face it: in Philippine politics, “humble” and “mayor” rarely appear in the same sentence. But then again, Jungie Jaucian isn’t your usual mayor.
I met Jungie decades ago when I worked with his father, the late Mayor Gerry Jaucian. Back then, Jungie was that smiling, observant young man in the corner—polite, quiet, and always listening. Not the type to hog the mic or force a handshake. If you wanted to talk, he’d talk. If you didn’t, he’d respect the silence. The type of guy who made space for others to speak without needing to outshine them.
Fast forward to today, and here he is—Acting Mayor of Daraga. Not because he clawed his way into the post, but because he stepped up when the law—and the moment—asked him to. When then-Mayor Awin Baldo was suspended over legal issues, Vice Mayor Jungie Jaucian quietly took the reins by virtue of succession. No fireworks. No selfies at the municipal hall gate. Just work.
And here’s the kicker: he’s not even clinging to the seat. With the 2025 elections looming, Jungie could have easily thrown his hat in the mayoral race and used the power of incumbency to bulldoze through. But he didn’t. Instead, he gave way to Lhal Baldo, the wife of the suspended mayor. On his part, he decided to finish his third term for Vice Mayor. Now, some might say it’s strategy, others might say it’s generosity giving the Baldos a chance to redeem themselves, at least in the ballots. Either way, it says one thing loud and clear—Jungie is not hungry for power.
This isn’t to say he’s passive. On the contrary, his leadership is proof that quiet doesn’t mean weak. He governs without fanfare, speaks without yelling, and leads without needing to be feared. His Facebook posts, often sprinkled with humor, remind residents to prioritize safety over malling. He uses jokes where others use threats. And the people listen—because they trust him, not because they’re scared of him.
He’s the kind of leader who’ll message you not to ask for a favor, but to invite you—humbly—to help. When he assumed office as Acting Mayor, I was surprised to get a message from him asking if I could join his executive team. It wasn’t a command or a guilt trip. Just a quiet, respectful ask. I had to decline due to other commitments, and guess what? No drama. No ghosting. He still checks in. That’s rare in politics where most “friendships” evaporate when you say “no.”
So here we are. In a time when voters are bombarded with noise, ego, and theatrics, Daraga has a leader in the person of Jungiewho offers something rare—substance without showmanship. A public servant who proves that leading doesn’t require swagger, only sincerity.
Maybe it’s time we, the public, start looking beyond the loudest voice in the room. Maybe we start asking: who’s really working? Who’s really listening? Who’s really in it for the people?
Because if more leaders were like Jungie—measured, humble, and quietly competent—then maybe, just maybe, we’d start believing in local governance again.
Daraga’s got one—don’t let him slip away! This May 12, 2025, let’s vote for smiles over swagger, service over show. Let’s re-elect Jungie Jaucian as Vice Mayor and keep the good kind of quiet in charge.
