Members belonging to Grupo Progreso, the majority bloc in the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), were assigned powerful committee chairmanships in the local legislature during their inaugural session on July 7. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who serves as presiding officer of the city council, said the internal rules say each councilor must have a minimum two committees. In a document released by Familiaran, Councilor Caesar Distrito was appointed Floor Leader and chairman for Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Laws Ordinances and Good Government, and Urban Development. Councilor Ricardo ‘Cano’ Tan was designated chairman of the Committee on Police, Security, Jail Management and Illegal Drugs, and the Committee on Cooperatives and Livelihood program. Councilor Cindy Rojas – Committee on Environment and Ecology; Committee on Family and Child care development; and Committee on Women and Gender. Councilor Renecito Novero – Committee on Education; and Committee on Urban Poor, Housing and Resettlement. Councilor Em Ang – Committee on Health and Sanitation; Tourism and Local, National and International Cooperation; Committee on Social Services and Development. Councilor Elmer Sy – Committee on Public Works, and Committee on Fire, Natural Disasters and Calamities. Councilor Dindo Ramos – Committee on Youth, SK Affairs and Sports Development; Committee on Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs; Committee on Communications and Energy; and Committee on Transportation and Traffic. Councilor Bartolome Orola – Committee on Markets and Slaughterhouse; and Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The eight majority councilors belong to Grupo Progreso (GP) of Familiaran and Mayor Evelio ‘Bing’ Leonardia. Meanwhile, the four minority councilors belonging to the opposition Partido MKK Bacolod also received posts. Councilor Ana Marie Palermo – Committee on Human Rights; and Committee on Labor, Management Relations and Overseas Workers. Wilson Gamboa, Jr. – Committee on History, Culture and Arts; and Committee on Ways and Means. Councilor Claudio Puentevella – Committee on Government Assets; and Committee on Human Resource Development. Councilor Sonya Verdeflor – Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry; and Committee on Agriculture and Agrarian Concerns. Councilor Noli Villarosa, who sits as ex-officio member of the City Council as president of the Association of Barangay Captains, will head the Committee on Barangay Affairs. During the session, Distrito said they debated internal rules and added provisions for members of council to respect the deadline of submission of items to the SP, except for urgent matters that have to be accommodated. He said they also adopted the old internal rules, where the chairman of the committee appoints his vice chairman so they can work together smoothly. For purposes of transparency and accountability, the chairman and vice chairman should come from different political groups. Distrito also added the minority members are lucky, citing the example of Iloilo wherein minority councilors were not given any chairmanships. During the inaugural session, only Villarosa and Puentevella were absent./WDJ Watchmen Daily Journal By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
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VICE Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the City Council will prioritize the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia to repeal City Ordinance 0814-700 or the new Real Property Tax (RPT) Code that updates the market value of real properties in Bacolod. They will also give priority to the mayor’s request to repeal the ordinance naming the People’s House to return to its original name, New Government Center, he added. Leonardia, in his July 5 letter to Familiaran, said he is endorsing the tax ordinance to the council for appropriate repeal, as it has been declared “null and void” by the Department of Justice on February 18, 2015. “This is one of the priority plans of the city mayor, and we need a consultation with all the stakeholders,” Familiaran said. The vice mayor said he believes the real property owners will accept whatever the amendments of tax rate that will be passed. He said the City Government needs more funds for projects and basic services. The City Council will also conduct public hearings to repeal the two ordinances, Familiaran said. Meanwhile, Councilor Caesar Distrito was elected majority floor leader during the inaugural session on Thursday. Councilors Claudio Puentevella, and Noli Villarosa, president of Association of Barangay Captains, were absent. The council approved the committee chairmanships, including that of Councilor Ricardo Tan’s committee on police, security, jail management and illegal drug prevention, and committee on cooperatives and livelihood programs; Distrito -- committees on environment and appropriation and finance; laws and ordinances; and urban development; Councilor Cindy Rojas -- committees on environment and ecology, family and child care development, and women and gender; Councilor Renecito Novero -- committees on education; urban poor, housing and resettlement; Councilor Em Ang -- committees on health and sanitation; tourism and local, national and international cooperation; and social services and development; Councilor Elmer Sy -- committees on public works; and fire, natural disasters and calamities; Councilor Dindo Ramos -- committees on youth, SK affairs and sports development; senior citizens and veterans affairs; communication and energy; and transportation and traffic; Councilor Bartolome Orola -- committees on markets and slaughterhouse; and fisheries and aquatic resources; Councilor Ana Marie Palermo -- committees on human rights; and labor, management relations and overseas workers; Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. -- committees on history, culture and arts; and ways and means; Councilor Claudio Puentevella -- committees on government assets; and human resource development; Councilor Sonya Verdeflor -- committees on trade, commerce and industry; and agriculture and agrarian reform; and Councilor Noli Villarosa -- committee on barangay affairs. Distrito said each regular councilor was given two committees, and all of them are free to choose their vice chairmen although Gamboa said the minority was not allowed to do so. Familiaran said the elections are over and it is time for them to work for the progress of Bacolod. “I know all of them, and they are all reasonable legislators and public servants,” he said. He added that the presence of opposition councilors Verdeflor and Palermo on Wednesday’s inaugural ceremonies is a sign of reconciliation. “We are not serving only one person, we are serving the entire populace of the City of Bacolod,” Familiaran said. Sun Star Bacolod By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed an omnibus resolution designating all 13 councilors to a committee and also elected three-termer Councilor Caesar Distrito as floor leader during its inaugural session yesterday. Distrito said that since they belong to the majority (Grupo Progreso), traditionally it is the majority that picks the floor leader. A floor leader is just an officer of the SP who will take over as presiding officer temporarily in the absence of the vice mayor. He said they debated on the internal rules and added some provisions for members of the council to respect the deadline for submission of items to the SP, except for urgent matters that have to be accommodated. They also adopted the old internal rules where the chairman of the committee appoints his vice chairman so they can work together. And for purposes of transparency and check and balance, the members should come from the other party, he said. The SP also made minor changes before finalizing the assignment of committee chairmanship. Councilor Cano Tan was designated chairman of the Committee on Police, Security, Jail Management and Illegal Drugs, and the Committee on Cooperatives and Livelihood program. Distrito – Committee on Environment and Appropriation and Finance; Committee Laws and Ordinances, and Committee on Urban Development. Councilor Cindy Rojas – Committee on Environment and Ecology; Committee on Family and Child care development; and Committee on Women and Gender. Councilor Renecito Novero – Committee on Education; and Committee on Urban Poor, Housing and Resettlement. Councilor Em Ang – Committee on Health and Sanitation; Tourism and Local, National and International Cooperation; Committee on Social Services and Development. Councilor Elmer Sy – Committee on Public Works, and Committee on Fire, Natural Disasters and Calamities. Councilor Dindo Ramos – Committee on Youth, SK Affairs and Spots Development; Committee on Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs, Committee on Communications and Energy, and Committee on Transportation and Traffic. Councilor Bartolome Orola – Committee on Markets and Slaughterhouse, and Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Councilor Ana Marie Palermo – Committee on Human Rights and Committee on Labor, Management Relations and Overseas Workers. Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. – Committee on History, Culture and Arts; and Committee on Ways and Means. Councilor Claudio Puentevella – Committee on Government Assets, and Committee on Human Resource Development. Councilor Sonya Verdeflor – Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry, and Committee on Agriculture and Agrarian Concerns. Councilor Noli Villarosa – Committee on Barangay Affairs. Gamboa said that since they belong to the minority (Partido MKK), they have to contend with whatever committee they will be given by the majority. However, he is happy that the chairman of the committee on Transportation has agreed to his request to be the vice chairman, he said. Meanwhile, Distrito said he does not know why Puentevella and Villarosa were not present at their first session yesterday. Both councilors, and Gamboa did not also attend the inauguration of the new set of city officials Wednesday. Gamboa said that a week before the inauguration, he had committed to attend the briefing of the national board of officers of the Philippine Councilor's League, where he is vice chairman for the Visayas. Secondly, their party has a pending petition for recount filed in the local court (against Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran), so he opted not to attend, he said.*CGS Visayan Daily Star BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO The request of Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia for the repeal of the new Real Property Tax Code will be among the first in the agenda to be taken up by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod in its session next week, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said yesterday. Leonardia has requested the SP to repeal City Ordinance No. 08-14-700 or the new Real Property Tax Code that updates the market value of real properties in Bacolod. Familiaran said this was mentioned by the mayor in his inaugural address Wednesday. Whatever amendments will be made in the tax code will be done after consultations with all stakeholders. They will try to find a win-win solution as the city also needs funds, especially for the delivery of basic and social services to the people, he said. Familiaran recalled that when Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya was acting mayor, he implemented the old tax rate since the new tax code had been declared null and void by the courts. He said Leonardia has also requested for the repeal of the ordinance naming or renaming the government center to People's House. ‘NULL AND VOID' The new tax ordinance was approved and implemented in Nov. 2014 under former Mayor Monico Puentevella but was declared "null and void" by the courts as well as the Justice Department. In his July 5 letter to Familiaran, presiding officer of the SP, Leonardia said he is endorsing the tax ordinance to the Sanggunian for appropriate repeal, as it had also declared "null and void" by the Department of Justice on February 18, 2015. The DOJ said the city government failed to comply with the prescribed procedure on the enactment of new ordinances under the Local Government Code. In its subsequent resolution dated April 7, 2015, the DOJ also denied the motion for reconsideration of Puentevella on the case filed against him by Proxima Centauri Realty and Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation. Leonardia added that when he still congressman last year, he also filed a petition Civil Case No. 15-14447 against the Puentevella administration to declare the tax ordinance "unconstitutional" for not having followed the constitutional due process, and for being "substantially oppressive, unjust, inequitable, and confiscatory." The mayor said the Regional Trial Court Branch 42 in Bacolod has likewise considered the view of the DOJ, rendering the petition moot and academic, and his prompt withdrawal of the petition in order to the "pave the way for the formulation of the new City Tax Ordinance that will be just, equitable, fair, pro-people, and business-friendly under the environment of progress and sustainability." A separate civil case was filed by the Chamber of Real Estate Builder's Association and Subdivision Housing Developers Association - Negros Occidental chapters against the City of Bacolod over the new Real Property Tax Code. “It is ironic that Puentevella who had opposed the Revenue Code increases during our time as mayor, sponsored this unconstitutional RPT which unfairly raised land valuation and the taxes due them,” Leonardia said. BACK TO NGC Meanwhile, Councilor Caesar Distrito, said earlier that he will author an ordinance that will repeal the previous ordinance that named the government center as People's House. Distrito said the law requires that the change of name of a government building needs a unanimous vote of the SP. When the name of the NGC was changed to People's House, the vote was not unanimous, therefore the ordinance was invalid. To remedy the situation, they will repeal the ordinance and revert the name of the building to its original name, which is the Bacolod City Government Center, he said. On the other hand, Familiaran said that on the part of the SP, the election is over and he believes they are all reasonable public servants who will be willing to support whatever legislative measures needed by Leonardia, as well as his programs that will be good for the city. RECONCILIATION Familiaran said the presence of MKK Councilors Sonya Verdeflor and Ana Marie Palermo at the inauguration of the new set of city officials Wednesday was a sign of reconciliation and a message to the public that they are ready to serve the entire populace of Bacolod. The mayor mentioned in his inaugural speech that it is time to unite and work as one for the progress of Bacolod City, he said.*CGS Visayan Daily Star BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Senator Franklin Drilon yesterday offered to help the city's officials push for the conversion of the old Bacolod airport site, which he called an idle asset of the national government, into an economic hub that produces wealth for Bacolodnons. Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Manny Pacquiao and Drilon were among the guests at the inauguration of the city officials led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia at the Bacolod Government Center last night. Drilon said there is a new dawn in Bacolod because, for the first time in many years it has a united political leadership, with Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and the bulk of the members of the city council belonging to the same group. A united political leadership is the key to why Iloilo City's development was able to move faster than Bacolod, he said. In Iloilo City the 52-hectare old Manduriao airport site has been converted into an asset that produces wealth for the city, he said. It is now the home of the Megaworld and a world class convention center, he said. The 47-hectare old Bacolod airport site, of which 25 hectares is owned by the national government and 22 hectares by Philippine Airlines, could cost P1.250 billion today, he said. Drilon urged Bacolod's officials to push for the sale of the old airport property so its can be converted into a commercial and industrial zone that would create more jobs and tax money for the Bacolod City government. “I am willing to sit down and assist the city of Bacolod to do what we did in Iloilo in developing our old airport site,” Drilon said. Pacquiao said his priority as senator is to ensure more sustainable livelihood and education. He joined yesterday's inaugural rites to show his love and support for Leonardia who has been his kumpare and friend in hard times and in good times, Pacquaio said. Pacquiao said he believes in the leadership of Leonardia who has “a passion for progress and whose commitment to service is solid”. “His track record shows that he can be trusted with the future of Bacolod. With him as your mayor, you can expect new levels of progress,” Pacquiao said. Pacquiao also reminded the city officials that “without God in our leadership it is impossible to become successful, and to fulfill our dreams for change”. If public officials are God-fearing, there will be no need to watch over them as they will not steal money from the government, Pacquaio said. Pacquiao and Drilon thanked the people of Bacolod and Negros Occidental who voted for them in the May polls.*CPG Visayan Daily Star BY CARLA GOMEZ Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said the new set of city officials have committed to work together to put Bacolod City back on track. Leonardia said Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya has promised to see to it that his proposed Bacolod Economic Highway will be pursued, and he believes the project will be completed during his term as congressman. The Bacolod Economic Highway will cost the government about P790 million, he said. It is a stretch of 21 kilometers that will start from Sum-ag, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Estefania, Mandalagan up to Bata. This will create new growth centers and will definitely spur the economic activities all over Bacolod, he said. Leonardia also said he has sent a letter to the Sangguniang Panlungsod asking for the repeal of the new tax code. They have to agree on the rates of the new real property tax, he said. They are also encouraging barangays to be business-friendly and are providing the mechanisms for that so they will not only restore business confidence, but will accelerate development and growth, he said. A SEC OFFICE Leonardia said a bill he filed, which has already become a law, is the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission. “It will just be a matter of time when we will have our own SEC office in Bacolod since this has already been signed into law by the President,” he said. He has also proposed the creation of the Metro Bacolod Development Authority that will mean that Murcia town, and Bago, Talisay, and Silay cities will join Bacolod so they can integrate their development plans, Leonardia said. This could be the machinery needed to accelerate growth and development, Leonardia said, adding that the good news is that Gasataya had committed to re-file this bill in the House of Representatives. “We know there is such a thing as Asean integration, and it is about time that we look beyond our horizons. We will invite the Department of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies to understand more clearly how the Asean will impact upon us,” he said. BACOLOD RANKINGS Leonardia also reminded the people that in 2010, Bacolod ranked number 2 among the most competitive cities in the Philippines according to the Asian Institute of Management, and ranked number one in terms of government responsiveness and efficiency. But today, according to the National Competitiveness Council, Bacolod has dropped to number 73 from number 2. And in terms of government efficiency, Bacolod dropped to 46 from number one. That is why, all their plans, programs, and visions for the city are all meant to put Bacolod City back on track, he said. FUND DEPLETED Leonardia said they also want to employ as many as 300 traffic enforcers but there are no funds left, because the past administration made heavy withdrawals before the elections, and up to their last day in office. He said they also want to see to it that the Bacolod City College, which is his pet project, will be geared toward the production of manpower for call centers. In 2013, Bacolod had 18,000 call center employees, he said. “We will also concentrate on strategic training program so that the quality of our employees will continue to improve and we will see to it we serve our people with the kind of service they truly deserve,” Leonardia said. Even if they have the new machinery, it will be difficult to implement all their dreams and programs if there is no unity among the city officials, he also said. MESSAGE FROM THE PEOPLE “I'm sure our people are sick and tired of the political bickering that was so apparent in the past. On my side note, I did not start it but only defended myself. So let's forget about that,” he added. “The result of the 2016 elections was a message from our people. And they are telling us that we must work together,” Leonardia said. He said Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran have committed to that so they could make Bacolod more progressive. Together with Gasataya, Familiaran and the rest of the councilors, they will see to it that harmony will produce productivity, and that as city officials they will work with each other, Leonardia said. “With the support of the people, I am sure that, together, we can put Bacolod back on track,” he added.*CGS Visayan Daily Star BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Newly inducted Vice Mayor of Bacolod City and two time No. Councilor El Cid Familiaran took his Oath of Office administered by incoming Senate President, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel at the New Government Center last July 6. Familiaran along with the Grupo Progreso stalwarts Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia and Congressman Greg Gasataya and the newly elected City Councilors took their respective oath of office as well. VM El Cid says the legislative branch needs to work as a team and push for pro-people ordinances that will contribute to the growth and interest of the people of Bacolod. Familiaran was a worker himself in the City Council which has propelled him to the second highest position in the City today. VM El Cid says he thanked the people who gave him the mandate to serve and vows not to frustrate their expectations. Familiaran says he looks on to the dynamism and composition of the City Council and will gladly work with each one of them. The inaugural session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday paved the way to introducing the new members of the Council as well as recognizing the respective committees that they hold. VM Familiaran said they will focus on the direction where the people’s interest will be upheld and sectors of society will participate in helping the government’s growth as the City progress and thrive.* (osbayog) Negros Daily Bulletin by Owen Bayog BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia called on city officials to forget politics and work together for the progress of the city. “Let’s forget politics. The result of the election is a message of our people that we must work together for the progress of Bacolod,” Leonardia said in his inaugural speech during the rites held at the People’s House (also known as the New Government Center) on Tuesday. Leonardia, who took his oath before Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao,” said that they should put Bacolod back on track. During the ceremonies, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran took oath before Senator Aquilino Pimentel III while Representative Greg Gasataya was inducted into office by Senate President Franklin Drilon. Ten of the 12 city councilors, including Ricardo Tan, Caesar Distrito, Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Em Ang, Elmer Sy, Ann Marie Palermo, Dindo Ramos, Bart Orola, and Sonya Verdeflor, took their oath before Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Anita Chua. Councilors Wilson Gamboa Jr. and Claudio Puentevella were absent. Despite heavy rains, hundreds of guests from various sectors as well as city employees, barangay officials, and supporters of the ruling part Grupo Progreso attended the inaugural ceremonies. Mayors from other cities and towns in Negros Occidental and Iloilo, also came as well as Bong Duterte, brother of President Rodrigo Duterte. “Our endeavor is to build, strengthen, and enhance economic infrastructure, social services, human resources, and good governance. And to achieve these, we want to restore business confidence and create an economic climate that will accelerate business development and growth in the city," Leonardia said. He added that his administration will also cut the red tape as earlier directed by President Rodrigo Duterte. The mayor said he wants the business permits to be processed as soon as possible as he shared that he received an information that there are fixers inside the Government Center. Leoanardia said he will also push to repeal the real property tax (RPT) ordinance. He added that he will write a letter addressed to the City Council asking that it should be repealed. “If we agree with the new RPT, I assure you that if you shake my hands that handshake is good as cash,” Leonardia added. The city mayor also encouraged barangay officials to be business-friendly to create an economic climate. Leonardia also said he will push for the realization of the new Bacolod economic highway projects that will create a new growth center in the city, and to address the traffic, education, and garbage problems. “Let us all march towards peace, progress, and prosperity,” he urged Bacolodnons. For his part, Gasataya said they are ready to work for the people of Bacolod. He said anybody he had met told him to start their work and stop the politics because the elections are over. “The people are expecting a lot from us,” he added. “I guarantee the people of Bacolod that I will continue to work and I don't get tired of working for Bacoleños. Gasataya said that on June 30, he filed House Bill 147 to establish two congressional districts in Bacolod. “I will continue to do the projects started by Mayor Leonardia,” he added. “Thank you for your all support and please watch me work.” Meanwhile, Pacquiao said, “As an adopted son of Bacolod, I am thankful to be here, to show my support and love to the city mayor.” He said Leonardia could bring new developments to Bacolod. For his part, Drilon said that there is a hope in the new administration in Bacolod. “For the first time that we can see a united political leadership from the mayor to the congressman, vice mayor, and city councilors,” he said. Pimentel also said he believes on the political leadership of Leonardia to bring more projects and programs for the people of Bacolod. Sun Star Bacolod By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA The new set of Bacolod City officials led by Mayor Evelio ‘Bing’ Leonardia will be taking their oaths of office at the New Government Center, this afternoon, with national political figures in attendance. In a statement, Grupo Progreso said Senators Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao, Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel, and Franklin Drilon, and former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson are among those expected at the rites. The three senators will swear in the newly-elected officials of the city, a ceremony which the GP said would be “a first” in the post-EDSA era. It is the first time, according to the statement, since the return of democratic governance in 1986 that the top officials of the City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya – come from the same political party. All three rose from the political ranks. Leonardia returns to City Hall after a three-year term as congressman. The longest-serving mayor, Leonardia had served in 1995-1998, 2004-2007, 2007-2010, and 2010-2013. This is now his 5th term. Gasataya was vice-mayor in the last term and had served three full terms as councilor, twice topping the race for the city council. While Familiaran, a former barangay captain, topped the city council elections in 2010 and 2013. The 12 members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), namely, Councilors-elect Ricardo Tan, Caesar Distrito, Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Em Ang, Elmer Sy, Ann Palermo, Wilson Gamboa, Jr., Dindo Ramos, Bart Orola, Claudio Puentevella, and Sonya Verdeflor, will meanwhile take their oath before Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Anita Chua./WDJ Watchmen Daily Journal By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya yesterday said he will continue the projects started by Mayor Evelio Leonardia when he was congressman of Bacolod and hopes they can finish them before the end of their terms. Gasataya said they have also received information that by 2017 the Bacolod Economic Highway that was pushed by Leonardia will already be implemented. He said the bill he re-filed reapportioning Bacolod City into two legislative districts was accepted by the House of Representatives on June 30. They have committed this to the people during the election, he said adding that it is high time that Bacolod should have two congressional districts. Gasataya said he also hope Senators Franklin Drilon, Aquilino Pimentel lll and Manny Pacquiao will help Bacolod so the bill will be filed by 2019 and the city will have two congressional districts. House Bill 147 or an “Act Reapportioning the Lone Legislative District of Bacolod and Thereby Creating a New Legislative District from such Reapportionment”, provides that the Sangguniang Panlungsod will be composed of the vice mayor as presiding officer and eight regular members of the SP for each district, including the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Sangguniang Panlungsod president, and other sectoral representatives as members. Gasataya was sworn into office by Drilon yesterday, while Leonardia took his oath before Pacquiao, and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran took his oath before Pimentel. The councilors took their oath before Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Anita Chua. Only Verdeflor and Palermo from the Partido MKK attended the inaugural ceremony of the city officials of Bacolod City yesterday at the government center, while Councilors Wilson Gamboa Jr. and Claudio Puentevella did not show up. Present were Councilors Cano Tan, Caesar Distrito, Cindy Rojas, Renecito Novero, Em Ang, Elmer Sy, Dindo Ramos and Bartolome Orola. The inauguration was supposed to be held in front of the government center but because of the rain, it was transferred to the lobby of the facility. Meanwhile, Gasataya said people expecting a lot from them is the reason why Grupo Progreso was given their mandate. Aside from the top three positions, majority of the councilors of Grupo Progreso were also elected. Gasataya assured the people that he does not get tired working as long as he can see the changes and the improvement for the betterment of the people of Bacolod. He also thanked all those persons who supported him during the campaign, including Abang Lingkod Partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano and Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd Dist.), who, just like Leonardia, believed in him and saw his potential.*CGS Visayan Daily Star BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO |
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