BACOLOD City – “Human error” was how Council El Cid Familiaran described his closing statement during a vice mayoralty debate that one of radio stations sponsored here Wednesday morning. Instead of saying the name of his party mate, mayoral candidate Rep. Evelio Leonardia, Familiaran uttered that he was rooting for the incumbent Mayor Monico Puentevella, who was seeking re-election. In a post on Facebook, Familiaran clarified that he committed an “honest mistake.” “I would like to clarify that during the debate [at] Bombo Radyo Bacolod, I committed an error when I uttered that Mayor Monico (Puentevella) is my mayor instead of Mayor Evelio ‘Bing’ Leonardia,” he said. “My mayor is no other than Mayor Bing Leonardia,” he said, adding that he hopes his message dispels what he said in the debate. After the debate, Familiaran said he immediately called Leonardia to explain. Despite the councilor’s clarification, Puentevella thanked Familiaran for “endorsing” his candidacy. “For whatever it’s worth, I am very grateful to Familiaran for coming [clean] with his inner sentiments,” said Puentevella. Puentevella said the councilor’s “announcement” was a statement of the “good memories” they shared in the past three years. But Puentevella clarified that he was still supporting his running mate, Vladimir Gonzalez. “My vice mayor will always be Vladi,” he said. In 2010, Familiaran ran under the MoNoPal (Monico-Novero-Palermo) banner./PN By MAE SINGUAY
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Vice Mayoralty bets El Cid Familiaran and Vladimir ‘Vladi’ Gonzalez lashed out at each other during a debate hosted by Bombo Radyo-Bacolod, Wednesday morning.
The candidates were each given two minutes to answer questions and 30 seconds for rebuttals. Among the topics discussed were the candidates’ net worth, the city’s crime rate, infrastructure, and business. However, the current problem at the Manokan Country stood as the candidates’ main argument. Things heated up after Gonzalez accused Familiaran of defending “personal business interests” for Stall 23 of the Manokan Country. “You covered it up when you became Councilor, and you are abusing your power in which you are making the ordinances and you are also the direct beneficiary,” Gonzalez charged. Familiaran fired back by questioning his opponent on how he could protect the public’s interest if he is Vice Mayor and, at the same time, maintaining his real estate business. “I’m not a dumb businessman; how can you not influence the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) if you are also an active real estate developer?” Familiaran questioned. Familiaran also inadvertently protected re-electionist Mayor Monico Puentevella, when Gonzalez challenged him over the drainage system project at Puentebella Subd. in Brgy. Taculing which is located near his residence. “It’s easy to deny, but if you are a public official, out of delicadeza you should have told them to move the project a little bit farther so there would be no malicious intent over the project,” Gonzalez stated. El Cid then countered saying, “You are trying to question me when in fact your running partner (Monico) also fixed the road and drainage system leading to his home. Are you trying to blame the Mayor as well?” Familiaran also commented regardless with whoever wins the mayoral seat, he will still be a “team player” to the winning administration. Despite the heated argument between both candidates, they did agree that prioritizing education and the introduction of livelihood projects is the answer to the growing criminality in Bacolod, and the need for a better police force in maintaining the city’s public safety. Familiaran stated the ideal police to population ratio to maintain peace and order is one police officer per 500 persons. “Our current population is above 600,000 and we only have 705 active duty police officers. We need another 500,” he said. Familiaran further added, besides the need for more police officers, the 10 police stations in the city will also need new vehicles in order to perform their duties efficiently. Gonzalez, meanwhile, said he will convince and encourage the SP to increase the budget for the city’s police force and further strengthen ties with other law enforcement agencies, like the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). “We already identified the drug-ravaged barangays, so we need to fight back,” he said. Monico reacts to inadvertent endorsement from El Cid During Familiaran’s closing statement, he mistakenly offered an endorsement to Puentevella for mayor, saying, “Ang amon mayor, si Monico,” after endorsing Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya for congress. The councilor is the running mate of Bacolod City Rep. Evelio R. Leonardia. Familiaran quickly corrected the mistake, and even posted a clarification on Facebook, but the incumbent mayor didn’t let it go so quickly. Puentevella put out a tongue-in-cheek press release offering his appreciation for the endorsement, claiming the endorsement came from Familiaran’s “inner sentiments.” The two were former political allies, with Familiaran on the council slate of the MoNoPal banner, led by Puentevella, Councilor Ana Marie Palermo for vice mayor, and Renecito Novero as candidate for Lone District of Bacolod Representative. /WDJ Watchmen Daily Journal By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga Puentevella thanks Familiaran for endorsement, but says Vladi is still his VM A very appreciative Mayor Monico Puentevella thanked Councilor El Cid Familiaran for endorsing his candidacy in a Vice Mayoralty debate on Bombo Radyo. “For whatever it’s worth, I am very grateful to Vice Mayoralty candidate El Cid Familiaran for coming with his inner sentiments,” said Puentevella in his press conference at the Bacolod People’s House. He added that the announcement made by the incumbent Councilor is a statement of the “good memories” that they have shared together in the past three years. In 2010, Familiaran ran under the MoNoPal banner led by Puentevella, former Vice Mayoralty candidate and current city councilor Ana Marie Palermo and Renecito Novero as Lone District of Bacolod Representative. Despite the endorsement, however, Puentevella is still optimistic and in full support of running-mate Vladimir Gonzalez as the next vice mayor. “My vice mayor will always be Vladi,” said the mayor. BACOLOD City – A city government drainage project in Puentebella Subdivision in Barangay Taculing here was temporarily stopped because a lot owner was against it, a city hall official clarified. Claims that the project favors Councilor El Cid Familiaran — part of the drainage was being built in front of his house — had nothing to do with the halt of the project, said City Engineer Belly Aguillon. Reports spreading on social media said Familiaran allegedly used his influence to have the drainage built in the area, supposedly to save his house from flooding. According to Aguillon, the city government was still looking for other means to connect the remaining culverts after the property owner, whose lot was supposedly included in the project, objected. The barangay also failed to get a “usufruct right” from the lot owner, which was why the project was stopped even after several negotiations, she said. The locations of the culvert had been laid out before the plan was submitted to the City Development Council for approval, said Aguillon. She also said the budget was “limited.” Under the city government’s Annual Investment Plan, the project’s budget was P1 million./PN By MAE SINGUAY Bacolod City Councilor and vice mayoralty bet El Cid Familiaran responded to accusations in a press conference, yesterday, regarding stall acquisition at the Manokan Country and drainage construction in front of his Taculing residence. The said topics were brought up at a Candidates’ Forum earlier in the month by Magbinuligay Kita para sa Kauswagan (MKK) vice mayoralty candidate businessman Vladimir Gonzalez. Familiaran said ownership of the stall at Manokan Country was completed in 2006 while he was still serving as Barangay Captain of Barangay 13. “There’s no conflict of interest here,” he said. The councilor also spoke on the issue of lowered rent, saying he only pays for the lot and that he earns a 20% discount from early payment. On the drainage construction in front of his residence, which is part of a P1 million city project, he said, “The project took place during my stint as acting Vice Mayor.” He claimed the project has been stopped “for unknown reasons.” During the Candidates’ Forum, Gonzalez drew a contrast with Familiaran, saying, “I will be more accountable to the people.”/WDJ By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr. BACOLOD City Councilor and Grupo Progreso vice mayoral candidate El Cid Familiaran has responded to the issues on the renewal of his lease contract on Manokan Country Stall 23, and the construction of the drainage project near his residence at Puentebella Subdivision, Barangay Taculing. Familiaran said his rival’s camp has spread information that he and his runningmate for mayor, Representative Evelio Leonardia, faced a case before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly conniving in his acquisition of the Manokan Country stall. However, according to their lawyer Cesar Beloria, the tandem has not received an official document that would prove the filing of the complaint. Familiaran clarified that the process of obtaining the stall started in March 22, 2006, when he was not yet councilor of Bacolod. He added that he has nothing to divest in this business because he has never been involved in food catering services to the city. On the construction of the drainage system, Familiaran said there are 12 flood-prone puroks in Barangay Taculing, and Purok Kawilihan, where he resides, is included. “Our area suffers from flood (as well as) 11 other puroks. The said project of the barangay is funded under Annual Investment Plan, which is being approved by the City Development Council,” he added. (CNC) Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on April 25, 2016. After vice mayoral candidate and Bacolod City Councilor El Cid Familiaran mistakenly endorsed incumbent Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella in his closing statements during Wednesday’s Bombo Radyo-Bacolod debate, and subsequently correcting himself, Grupo Progreso (GP) mayoral bet and Familiaran’s running mate Rep. Evelio ‘Bing’ Leonardia responded, “It was human error and he admitted it.” “He made a slip,” said the congressman. “Insofar as GP is concerned, we say that’s it.” He indicated the group held a meeting and ensured full confidence in their vice mayoral bet. Leonardia expressed his anger at Puentevella for alleged rumor-mongering. “The problem is that our rival uses it against us with the purpose of sowing intrigues, spreading rumors that I got mad about it.” He called the suspected actions “black propaganda.” He went further, calling his rival’s camp “evil,” saying, “What else can you expect from an evil empire?” Following the flub, Puentevella’s MKK Partido Bacolod released a tongue-in-cheek press release thanking Familiaran for the support, claiming the endorsement came from his “inner sentiments.”/WDJ Watchmen Daily Journal By Paulo Loreto Lim THE ABS-CBN Bacolod, in cooperation with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Negros Occidental, will hold a Candidates’ Forum dubbed “Panindugan” on April 15, 4:30 p.m., at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos campus. Organizers have invited Bacolod City congressional candidates Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, former Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Councilor Archie Baribar, Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez, and Joel Enriquez, and mayoral candidates re-electionist Mayor Monico Puentevella, and his challengers Representative Evelio Leonardia, and former policeman Wilfredo David. Invited vice mayoralty candidates include Councilor El Cid Familiaran and businessman Vladimir Gonzalez. Marty Go, executive producer of “Panindugan,” said the forum will be a venue for candidates to convey to the people of Bacolod their agenda, platforms, and stand on varied political and social issues. A panel chosen by the KBP composed of representatives from various sectors will ask relevant and timely questions that affect the welfare of the voters while the entire forum shall be steered by one moderator. KBP member-stations will be allowed to hook up and air the forum live in their respective stations. The following are the rules and guidelines: There will be five independent panelists from various sectors of society who will be asking questions which have relevance to their respective fields. For each question, all the candidates will equally be given the chance to answer or give their stand on the issue. Each candidate will strictly have one minute and 30 seconds to answer each of the question. A warning sound will be given upon reaching the last 10 seconds to alert the candidate. Each candidate will be given one minute to make an opening statement before the panelists can ask their questions and another one minute to make a closing statement after all the panelists have asked their questions. Verbal attacks against another candidate and use of gutter language are not allowed. (with reports from CNC) THE ABS-CBN Bacolod, in cooperation with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Negros Occidental, will hold a Candidates’ Forum dubbed “Panindugan” on April 15, 4:30 p.m., at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos campus.
Organizers have invited Bacolod City congressional candidates Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya, former Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Councilor Archie Baribar, Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez, and Joel Enriquez, and mayoral candidates re-electionist Mayor Monico Puentevella, and his challengers Representative Evelio Leonardia, and former policeman Wilfredo David. Invited vice mayoralty candidates include Councilor El Cid Familiaran and businessman Vladimir Gonzalez. Marty Go, executive producer of “Panindugan,” said the forum will be a venue for candidates to convey to the people of Bacolod their agenda, platforms, and stand on varied political and social issues. A panel chosen by the KBP composed of representatives from various sectors will ask relevant and timely questions that affect the welfare of the voters while the entire forum shall be steered by one moderator. KBP member-stations will be allowed to hook up and air the forum live in their respective stations. The following are the rules and guidelines: There will be five independent panelists from various sectors of society who will be asking questions which have relevance to their respective fields. For each question, all the candidates will equally be given the chance to answer or give their stand on the issue. Each candidate will strictly have one minute and 30 seconds to answer each of the question. A warning sound will be given upon reaching the last 10 seconds to alert the candidate. Each candidate will be given one minute to make an opening statement before the panelists can ask their questions and another one minute to make a closing statement after all the panelists have asked their questions. Verbal attacks against another candidate and use of gutter language are not allowed. (with reports from CNC) Sun Star Bacolod Bacolod City Councilor El Cid Familiaran, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Police Matters, assured the public yesterday there are no vigilante groups in the city. Earlier, a group calling themselves the Anti-Crime Judicial Unit (ACJU) surfaced on a radio program and claimed responsibility for the deaths of ‘Kid Ramir’ and a retired police officer. In a report from ABS-CBN, Familiaran explained, besides the sizable funding needed by the so-called ACJU to operate, they should also be well organized in order to target suspected criminal personalities in the city. “In order to assassinate a suspected criminal, it will require huge sums of money, in fact, it will need millions of pesos, that’s why I don’t believe there is a vigilante group in Bacolod,” he said. Although the local legislator does not believe the ACJU exists, he commented the number of shooting incidents in Bacolod has become alarming. Due to the incidents, Familiaran has personally asked the police to step up their operations. “They have the intelligence, they have the assets,” he added. /WDJ By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga |
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