The biggest surprise in the recent political intramurals in Bacolod City was the announcement of former councilor Greg Gasataya as the official candidate for vice mayor of Grupo Progreso.
From among the members of the “Voltes V,” it is Greg Gasataya whose name has never been floated as a possible vice mayoralty candidate. Very vocal in their plans to seek a higher position, especially the vice mayoralty post, were councilors Dindo Ramos, Al Victor Espino and Homer Bais. The public and even Ramos, Espino and Bais believed that ultimately the choice would be narrowed down among the three of them. Gasataya’s name was recently floated only as a possible candidate for councilor . That is why everybody was taken aback when suddenly Gasataya was announced as the candidate for vice mayor. Of course Ramos, Espino and Bais felt disrespected and betrayed. Imagine, they stuck it out with Leonardia and Sayson through thick and thin defending them from allegations of corruption and wrongdoings, putting their necks on the line if only to prove their loyalty to their group and this is what they get in return? I personally understand the show of disgust and anger of the three councilors because Leonardia and Sayson did was a direct affront to their persons. In fact, it is rumored that Dindo Ramos confronted Leonardia and told the latter angrily why this has happened. According to reports, Leonardia wanted to explain to Ramos but the latter gave him a deaf ear when he discovered the painful truth. Remember a month or so ago when the name of Atty. Renecito Novero was bruited about as a possible vice mayoralty candidate of Sayson? That in exchange, reports and insinuations indicated that Novero’s supporter by the sea, Atty. Simplicio Palanca, gave Bing/Thaddy P30 million as campaign contribution of Novero as a sign of goodwill? This was, however, followed by a howl of protest from Ramos, Bais and Espino. Especially Espino who went on a media blitz to violently protest the possible inclusion of Novero because he said that, the latter is an outsider while they remained loyal to the party. Because of this, the bruited partnership was publicly cancelled and there were reports that the post-dated checks issued to Bing/Thaddy were withdrawn from the mayor’s possession and given back to Palanca. But because P30 million is a gargantuan addition to the war chest of Leonardia and Sayson, reports have it that the Leonardia bright boys concocted an idea whereby Grupo Progreso appoint a weak vice mayoralty candidate without a bailiwick or stronghold unlike Espino, Ramos and Bais. According to reliable sources, the Leonardia-Sayson machinery will junk Gasataya as the campaign progresses and accommodate Novero making Gasataya an innocent fall guy in the exercise of sheer political infidelity. Another possible victim here other than Gasataya are the first five councilors who are with the group of Novero as independent candidates. If plan pushes through, these four will be left holding the empty bag because how can they expect to be included in the Leonardia-Sayson ticket when the latter has a full slate of twelve councilors? Unless Bing/Thaddy will sacrifice their four weakest candidates in exchange for Baribar, Familiaran, Verdeflor and Sy. This can only happen if the four are included in a package of exchange deal with Grupo Progreso. I doubt it. Who was it who said, “Your foolishness will go back to your body”might be altogether correct. Watchmen Daily Journal
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