THIS year’s elections in Quezon City’s District 4 delivered a nail-biting finish. Incumbent Congressman Marvin Rillo faced former Congressman Jesus “Bong” Suntay in a tense electoral rematch.
When the final votes were counted, Suntay emerged victorious—but only just—by a razor-thin margin of 239 votes (91,856–91,617). This tight race highlighted a growing desire among voters for leadership deeply rooted in community engagement and genuine service.
However, beyond this dramatic congressional showdown, another inspiring story unfolded: the rise of a promising young leader making his first foray into politics. Meet Councilor-elect Atty. Jesus Miguel “Atty. Migs” Suntay, a fresh voice in Quezon City’s District 4 who quietly built a solid track record of helping others long before he ever ran for office.
Fresh from graduating from Ateneo Law School and passing the bar exam on his first take, Atty. Migs chose service over prestige. His immediate goal is not personal recognition, but to directly uplift the community that nurtured him.
During the campaign and even before, weekends for Atty. Migs were not spent on the typical campaign trail. Instead, he set up free legal consultation desks at barangay halls, aiding residents struggling with tenancy disputes, barangay clearances, or permit issues.
Alongside dedicated volunteer medical professionals, he launched mobile health missions providing dental check-ups, hearing aids, and wheelchairs to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
“Hindi hinangad ni Atty. Migs maging sikat,” recalls Atty. Jeremiah Ruaro, a law school batchmate. “He simply saw a need and filled it—whether sa pagbibigay tulong sa mga PWD o sa pakikipagsalimuha sa mga kabataan ng QC.”
Now officially elected, Atty. Migs has set two clear priorities: youth empowerment and comprehensive medical assistance. Committed to innovation and service, he has laid out ambitious yet practical initiatives:
- Free Dental Missions. Expanding his mobile health clinics to include regular “libreng bunot” and “libreng pustiso” services, ensuring that oral health care reaches even the most underserved neighborhoods.
- Livelihood Carts Program. Providing aspiring micro-entrepreneurs fully-equipped food carts, complete with cooking essentials and initial inventory such as fishballs or squidballs, along with business management training to ensure sustainable livelihoods.
- Livelihood Mountain-Bike Grants. Supplying sturdy mountain bikes to informal workers employed with Panda, Grab, and other delivery services, empowering them economically while promoting environmental sustainability.
- Free Legal Aid Every Monday. Setting up weekly “Libreng Legal Aid” desks staffed by volunteer lawyers who will offer assistance on family law, labor issues, small-claims disputes, and human rights concerns, making legal help accessible to all.
- Mobility-Aid Distributions. Organizing quarterly events to distribute canes, wheelchairs, and crutches, ensuring that elderly residents and persons with disabilities can maintain their independence and dignity.
- Scholarship Fund. Creating a robust scholarship program to support deserving students from low-income families, covering tuition, books, uniforms, and transportation, thus helping talented youth achieve their educational dreams without financial hardship.
As Quezon City enters this exciting new era, Councilor-elect Atty. Miguel C. Suntay exemplifies a refreshing approach to governance—one anchored in empathy, accessibility, and unwavering dedication to public service.
At a time when political skepticism is prevalent, his inspiring journey serves as a powerful reminder that genuine, sustained efforts can truly restore trust in our leaders and positively transform communities, one life at a time.