The term should not be construed as a crowd in violent frenzy but rather its less horrific meaning: “noisy, confused, disturbed, excited and emotional”. The present state of the Bacolod City Council is creating a public perception of an assembly in tumult with charges and counter-charges dominating their supposedly gentlemanly and lady manners.
The day does not pass when the reporters have nothing to write. They are having a field day quoting remarks and responses that only aggravate rather than calm the atmosphere. Surely, only a few councilors are involved but the image does create an SP in tumult. The way the daily dose of issuances from the SP look, there is nothing in the near view that will give us the belief the situation will “normalize” soon and the air of conviviality that dominated the first months of their term will once more prevail. The differences between SP Secretary Nilo Alejandrino and Councilor Cesar Distrito appear beyond resolve and in fact are escalating with broadcasters on both and all sides of the political fences insuring that the issues will not die down but continue to entertain us with the antics of our legislators. These two lawyers are at odds and now the third lawyer, Councilor Sonia Verdeflor has joined the fray, so that the situation, in our more descriptive language, is “naggumon”. Of course earlier, Councilor Archie Baribar, another lawyer had given his views but that was more a scholarly discourse than throwing more fuel into the fire. He was more restrained, like Number One Councilor El Cid Familiaran, who gave his opinion on Alejandrino’s case and then kept his peace. The other councilors have kept their distance so that it appears that Distrito is fighting the battle alone, though it seems he can handle Alejandrino and all comers. What is interesting, though, is the obvious target. Alejandrino and Verdeflor have zeroed on Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson. Perhaps this is not so, but the focus of their attacks is clearly to question Sayson’s ability to manage or lead the council. Alejandrino has cited the political affiliation of Sayson and Distrito in his attempt to force Sayson to inhibit, but his assumption was wrong when he claimed that they belong to the same political party. They are not, but are political allies who ran under the same banner of Grupo Progreso. Nevertheless, they have something in common, but Alejandrino is off the mark. Political alliances are, after all, as strong as your overcooked spaghetti. The controversy became the fodder of the media instruments of the opposition. Sayson is believed to be the crown prince to succeed Mayor Evelio Leonardia in 2013, and the issues are now being used to hammer at Sayson. They are still petty and, in fact, irrelevant, but in a political war, anything and everything can be of use. These premature attacks, however only reinforce the belief that indeed Sayson is the man to beat in 2013 and indirectly bolsters his strength. The attack of Verdeflor is more biting than Alejandrino’s cry of partiality because that is self interest, but that of Verdeflor involves the case of the SP stenographer Conchita Castillo. Verdeflor asked why Castillo continues to work although she was investigated and recommended to be charged allegedly of tampering with the minutes of the SP. Verdeflor investigated this case so that she knows the details. So she asked why Alejandrino was suspended without pay but Castillo continues to work, of course with pay. Verdeflor thus charged Sayson of double standard because Sayson acted immediately in the case of Distrito’s complaint but not in the case of Castillo which took place last May yet. Surely Sayson can answer that because there are differences in the two cases that do not necessarily apply similarly. Her point about the “follow up” of Castillo’s case would have the element of an inquiry until Distrito got into the picture and distorted the follow-up as a mere justification to slash at the Vice Mayor. Her issue now takes on a partisan twist, a snide attack against Sayson. The conflict between Distrito and Alejandrino now is tainted with political color. The opposition in the council (as well as now clear in their media campaign) is expected to draw as much blood from it as they can. The problem of Alejandrino is that he will become the punching bag in this tumult, his cause, no matter how just, will be looked at with a jaundiced eye. This is a litmus test for Sayson’s ability to tread on thorny grounds, to weather the storm. The Christmas season may dampen the controversy a bit but we expect that unless this conflict is resolved before the year’s end this will escalate by 2012. The opposition is in search of an issue against Sayson; this conflict will be a topic served on a silver platter.* MODESTO P. SA-ONOY Visayan Daily Star
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