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Charie Pante |
Most winners in the last elections in Camarines Sur had been accurately pre-determined, including those who would score landslide victories. But Charina “Charie” Fausto Pante who wanted to recapture her old seat in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan was hardly expected to emerge topnotcher as provincial board member in the Second District of Camarines Sur, pitted as she was, an underdog, against vaunted opponents who were both incumbents and who had not lost while seeking the post. Angel Naval and Ernesto Verdadero were running for board member for their fifth term.
Charie also faced the erstwhile unbeaten outgoing Mayor Tomas Bongalonta of the capital town of Pili.
Yet, when the smoke of the political battle cleared, Charie was the phenomenal topnotcher, beating the highly touted Angel Naval not just in the entire Second District but right in his hometown, Calabanga. Naval still clinched the second of only two slots for the district but his invulnerability had been badly dented by Charie’s scintillating victory.
By her pulsating win Charie effectively eased out reelectionist Ernesto Verdadero who trailed Charie by more than 8,000 votes. Charie is one of two Kampi board members who topped the race in their respective districts, the other one being Dr. Ruperto Alfelor in the Fourth District. NPC’s Emmanuel Llaguno again lorded it over in the Third District while Romulo Hernandez of Lakas was runaway No. 1 in the First District.W
hat is Charie’s magic that enabled her to vault back from a loss in 2004 when she ran for vice-governor?
Charie, the only lady regular member of the Sagguniang Panlalawigan now, is an authentic rose, beauty and brains combined, who has the sting. She can prick as thorns of the ornamental plant do.
Turning only 39 last July 4, Charie was a campus beauty who became Miss UNC Coed of the University of Nueva Caceres in 1985 after reigning as Miss Magarao, her hometown, in 1983 and after being crowned Mutya ng Agham of the Universidad de Sta. Isabel in 1984.
Gifted with charm and intelligence, she is able to quickly harmonize with people whatever their status in life may be. She had rubbed elbows with leaders of the province before having served as provincial board member from 2001 to 2004 and as municipal councilor of Magarao, Camarines Sur for two terns from 1992 to 1998. Her political career actually started with her election as Chairman of the Kabataang Barangay in Magarao in 1983.
Highly principled, she always clings tenaciously to her rights and pursues a cause she believes in no matter what the cost.
“We are a small minority in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” Charie admits “ but we shall continue to do what our constituents expect of us.”
“We will support whatever sound and reasonable legislation is on the table but we will object to what we believe is not proper”, she pledged.
She says she may be overruled all the time because of sheer number but it is important that on the record she stood for what she believed is right.
Charie places topmost priority among her programs her proposed microfinancing and livelihood project for the Second District.
“These are undertakings that will directly and immediately touch and improve the lives of people,” the lady board member with a political future as bright as the twinkle in her eyes emphasizes.
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| Charie with husband Engr. Ronald Pante and their children Ian Arvin (standing right), Raisa Arianne (standing at left) and at front row from right Ma. Charlene Reina, Bruce Martin and Criz Charl. |
A graduate of BSBA Economics, Banking and Finance, she also finished Law at the University of Nueva Caceres.
A daughter of Engr. Valeriano Fausto of Magarao and Josefina Palmario of Tinambac, also in Camarines Sur, Charie is married to Engr. Ronald Pante with whom he has five children, three boys and two girls, the eldest two of which are now in college. Ian Arvin is pursuing nursing at the Universidad de Sta. Isabel while Raisa Arianne is taking up at the Ateneo de Naga University an accountancy course. Ma. Charlene Reina is first year high school at USI while Criz Charl is Grade 5 and Bruce Martin is Grade 2 at the Naga Parochial School.
Charie is still very young and her beauty and brains, ability to blend with people, her dedication and tenacity are assets that will undoubtedly catapult her to greater heights.
