Career
He was responsible for the economic growth and opened the Cogon Public Market in 1959. He was called the "Arsenio Lacson of Cagayan de Oro" and was appointed as city mayor in 1954. He died in his office on October 3, 1964.
Historian and anthropologist Doctor Antonio J. Montalvan II wrote that Borja was called the Arsenio Lacson of Cagayan de Oro because "he was, above all, no-nonsense.
He ruled without fear or favor. He had political will.
Most importantly, he remained simple and would walk to and from his office without any bodyguards. His funeral cortege, which I personally witnessed, was attended by legions of Kagay-anons, many of whom openly wept at the sight of his bier which was placed atop a decorated float.
Shops and establishments were closed for business at their own behest."
Borja is the only city mayor who has been given multiple honors, proof of how much he was loved by the city that he served so well.
He was the only city mayor of Cagayan de Oro given a doctorate degree "Honoris Causa" in public administration by Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan in 1963. Many male babies were named Justiniano, complete with the nickname of Tiñingenieur Raf Benaldo, who served as undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), told me that Tiñing Borja has become the benchmark for the city"s public servants, a fact that, sadly, no one has capably equaled.
- Elson T. Elizaga.
