LAST MONDAY the candidates under the Grupo Progreso of Cong. Evelio Leonardia signed a covenant on their program of government in case they are elected into office on May 9. This event is unusual at least for this election. Political promises are made by one person or group of persons to others; a covenant is among people for themselves or for others. The covenant is an agreement among the covenanters collectively binding them on what they intend to do for a common goal. The opposing camp against Grupo Progreso has not come out with such an agreement, only promises mainly personal and thus can only be binding on their personal honor and can in fact be conveniently forgotten. Grupo Progreso formalized their covenant and thus is bound to work together for Bacolod. This is important in the light of our recent experience where the congressman and the mayor worked in disparate ways and even with hostility. The same happened with the Sanggunian Panlungsod where the majority of the councilors obstructed the acting executive because they are from a different political party or are dictated by the suspended mayor. During his speech launching the candidacies of Grupo Progreso, congressional candidate Greg Gasataya made a solemn promise that he will never quarrel with Cong. Evelio Leonardia who is running for mayor. This pledge is now enshrined in the covenant that binds him and the rest with him for one common objective – the welfare of the city. This covenant is also important considering what happened in 2013. One councilor in the camp of Cong. Leonardia jumped into the camp of Puentevella after he was elected under and through the effort of Grupo Progreso. All his explanations are so stilted I find it incomprehensible that such justification can be thought of at all. In a way Grupo Progreso can also be blamed for trusting him considering where he was before. This is the same case with the barangay chairman of Tangub who made it shamefully appear that he was with Grupo Progreso and in fact was assisted by this party. The moment he was elected he just went over to the camp of Puentevella and got to be called “honorable”. His defection as well as that of the councilor cited above shifted the balance in the SP and threw this city into a state of effeteness. This covenant was freely entered into and thus the people of Bacolod will have a basis for measuring up the signatories to this contract that contains a program of government for the next three years. This means that the signatories must insure control of the three areas of their candidacy: Congress for Greg Gasataya, Mayor’s office for Bing Leonardia, Vice Mayorship for El Cid Familiaran and a solid majority in the council. Without this sufficient control of the branches of the city government, this covenant will be impossible to implement in full or even partially with satisfaction. It can be compartmentalized but this can be counterproductive. In that sense the people of Bacolod cannot demand accountability. To this extent the covenant is just as binding to the people of Bacolod as it is for the covenanters. This agreement was entered into in behalf of the people of Bacolod or for their welfare and therefore they too must insure that Grupo Progreso has sufficient authority to implement its provisions. Otherwise this covenant will be for naught. Excerpts of the covenant have been published and surely they will be repeated during rallies and sorties. Since each candidate has made a personal commitment, we are able to gauze which of them would be worth our votes and when they are elected we have a basis for assessing them. After the elections we can determine whether they complied with their self-imposed obligation or have, like most politicians with glib and forked tongues, forgotten what they promised. Collectively, however, they cover a lot of areas of governance which Congressman Leonardia has pledged to do. If Leonardia, Gasataya and Familiaran work in tandem they can do much. If Cong. Leonardia can bring in billions worth of projects in the face of a hostile and obstructing local officials we see more reason to hope that with a majority support much more can be done. But this will require a collective action by the Bacolod voters. This covenant will go limp if the conditions for their satisfactory implementation do not exist. This is a mutually beneficial covenant. By: Modesto P. Sa-onoy
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Independent senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino had the most number of illegally posted campaign materials on trees and electric post removed during a Commission on Elections-led “Operation Baklas” campaign in Bacolod City. This was based on a Comelec Bacolod inventory of illegal campaign materials removed from February 8 to March 28, furnished the DAILY STAR by City Election Officer Mavil Majarucon Sia yesterday. The inventory showed that Tolentino's campaign materials removed were 151, Kakasa Partylist – 145, Daang Matuwid – 53, president and vice presidential bets Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo – 51, presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte – 40, senatorial bet Rafael Alunan – 17, PDP Laban Duterte-Alan Peter Cayetano tandem - 11; VP bet Gregorio Honasan – 10, senatorial aspirant Lorna Kapunan – 10, re-electionist Senator Vicente Sotto – 10, Angkla Partylist – 10, senatorial bet Samuel Pagdilao – 8, presidential aspirant Grace Poe – 7, VP bet Francis Escudero – 4, VP aspirant Antonio Trillanes – 3, Senator Ralph Recto – 3, and former senator Ping Lacson – 2. On the local level the topnotcher for illegal campaign materials removed was Councilor Caesar Distrito with 40, followed by candidates for councilor Cindy Rojas – 35, Cano Tan – 21, Ronnie Albao – 20, Alex Paglumotan – 20, Renecito Novero – 20, Bong Dilag – 12 and Ana Marie Palermo – 8; Mayoral bet Monico Puentevella – 6, congressional aspirants Carl Lopez – 6, Archie Baribar – 5 and Greg Gasataya – 5, vice mayoral bets Vladimir Gonzalez – 5 and El Cid Familiaran – 5, and candidate for councilor Alan Arroyo – 3, the inventory report showed.*CPG BY CARLA GOMEZ SHOULD they be given the opportunity to serve, members of Grupo Progreso (GP) said it would be their mission to build, strengthen, and enhance Bacolod City’s economic fundamentals, infrastructure, social services, human resources, and public governance. At a press conference on Monday, April 4, at the Bacolod Business Inn, the group, led by Bacolod City Representative and mayoralty bet Evelio Leonardia, signed a pledge of commitment to fulfill their platform. They vowed to accomplish various projects and programs for the betterment of the city. Leonardia envisioned Bacolod to be the most competitive and most livable city in the country, where business and industry flourish in an atmosphere of peace and fair competition, and where government serves its people responsibly and with transparency. The group’s three-point agenda is to restore business confidence and create a favorable economic climate for business and trade, install a highly-capable and professionalized government bureaucracy that would restore good governance to the city, and improve the delivery of basic services. Moreover, among the group’s objectives is to put Bacolod in the forefront again as one of the most competitive cities of the Philippines, create a business development center, work closely with Negros Island Region and the Negros Occidental Provincial Government for economic cooperation, and to be ready to seize opportunities offered by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Economic Integration. Vice Mayor and congressional bet Greg Gasataya, as well as Councilor and vice mayoralty candidate El Cid Familiaran, joined Leonardia at the press conference. Completing the GP slate were the 12 members for the City Council led by incumbent Councilors Em Ang and Caesar Distrito, former Vice Mayor Renato Novero, former councilors Elmer Sy, Al Espino, Ricardo Tan, Dindo Ramos, Cindy Rojas, Israel Salanga, Marlon Solidum, George Zulueta, and Bart Orola. (Glazyl Y. Masculino) Members of the Nationalist People's Coalition-Grupo Progreso led by Bacolod Rep. and mayoralty candidate Evelio Leonardia signed a covenant yesterday at the Business Inn, Bacolod City, to show their commitment and sincerity to the people of Bacolod City. Leonardia said they are the only group with a covenant, or a formal written document of their platform of government showing their commitment to “save Bacolod and restore the development momentum it had gathered in the nine years of the Grupo Progreso administration.” This is a team effort and each member was asked to contribute their ideas before the covenant was finalized, he said It was signed by all their members in the spirit of accountability, Leonardia added.. Leonardia said the Grupo Progreso is an aggrupation of local members of the NPC, Liberal Party, Nacionalista Party, and Partido Paglaum. He also said they consider the past three years in Bacolod as years of stagnation and deterioration, citing the ranking of the city as one of the Most Competitive Cities in the Philippines from a high of number 2 in 2010 to an all-time low of number 73 in 2015. He said that when his administration left the city in 2013, he left P636.8 million in cash in three major government banks, per City Treasurer's records. Leonardia said that under the administration of Mayor Monico Puentevella, the budget of the city was P1.230 billion in 2013 and this increased to P1.8 billion in 2016, and the Mayor has complete and absolute control over these funds. He said Puentevella controls majority of the Sangguniang Panlungsod which approved all his financial requests. But his administration has nothing to show for the billions it had under its disposal in the last three years, except for the patchwork done on some city roads to cover the obvious pot holes, he added. Leonardia said the NPC-Grupo Progreso offers to lead the city in returning to the right and proper course for development; lead the return to the basic values of transparency and decency in governance, where power is properly dispersed and not concentrated on the Mayor and his sons, brothers and relatives in City Hall. He also introduced the Grupo Progreso slate during a press conference yesterday composed of candidates dubbed, "BEG DOZEN STARRSS." "BEG" stands for Bing Leonardia - for mayor; El Cid Familiaran - for vice mayor, Greg Gasataya - for congressman; For councilors: "DOZEN" means Distrito, Caesar; Orola, Bart; Zulueta, George; Espino, Al Victor; and Novero, Renecito; "STARRSS" is the acronym for Sy, Elmer; Tan, Cano; Ang, Em; Ramos, Dindo; Rojas, Cindy; Salanga, Israel; and Solidum, Marlon - also for councilors. Gasataya said he has been in public service for 22 years and when he was a councilor, he authored several major ordinances like the Bacolod City Comprehensive Ordinance, Comprehensive Scholarship Program of Bacolod, an ordinance creating the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, among others. He said he also plans to continue the programs started by Leonardia if elected and will ensure that the Bacolod City College will be commissioned to offer vocational and short term courses, to establish the Bacolod Enrollment and Employment Center, to establish the Bacolod north and south congressional districts, establish the Metro Bacolod Development Authority, and fund government hospitals. Familiaran said he has authored 41 approved quality ordinances as councilor and if elected, he will stir the SP members to actively participate in the deliberations and encourage them to pass measures in harmony with the executive agenda of the mayor. Meanwhile, Leonardia said he finds it incongruous that the governor, who stands for “Daang Matuwid” (straight path) could endorse someone, referring to Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella, who has been suspended for a case involving graft and corruption. Leonardia was reacting to the claims of Puentevella's supporters that the mayor and his congressional candidate Jude Thaddeus Sayson were endorsed by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Friday. Marañon raised the hands of Sayson and Puentevella but said later that was no endorsement since he was just fooling around.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO There is little slugging between Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya and former Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson who are both eyeing to represent Bacolod in the Congress. They were councilor for several terms and had been vice mayor as well. In this sense both have legislative experience that will do them well in Congress. Under Sayson's leadership, the Bacolod Sanggunian received national recognition for its performance as the best in the country. He was fortunate that he had a council that was cooperative and not beholden to a mayor who dictated what it should do. Unfortunately people did not consider this good enough when he ran for mayor in 2013. Will he make it to Congress where the clash of ideas and arrogance are most palpable? Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya had a council that hears only the voice of Monico Puentevella rather than the welfare of the people. Thus Gasataya was tied down by the composition of his council and this prevented him from showing his best. When Puentevella was suspended by the Sandigan for graft and Gasataya took over as mayor, the council showed its true image that stalled meaningful legislation. Of course it was not Gasataya at the helm of the council during the interim but Councilor El Cid Familiaran who had to walk a tightrope. He did well to keep sanity at least intact in that council but underscored nevertheless the inane among its members. Gasataya showed his capability to make strong decisions which are vital in legislative work. The Congress is a bed of politicians with a high sense of importance of self. One must be able to walk softly and yet firmly which Gasataya showed under hostile environment. He has an amiable personality that is necessary in seeking support for legislative proposals and dealing with the executive branch for projects for his district. Carl Lopez is one person who can work alone and effectively at that. He has personal charisma and resources with connections in the national scene. His family connections are extensive and this opens to him many doors. In the event he becomes a congressman, more doors will be opened to him. He is schooled in the family of principled men and women and can be relied upon to keep his word. His term as councilor showed what he is and what he can achieve even on his own. But personal capability is not enough in a political environment as Bacolod's and some are less comfortable with a family as Carl's. Mar Roxas suffers from this public perception and despite preponderance of his personal and government resources, he lags in the public choice for president. Carl Lopez relies on the Liberal Party as its official candidate but has yet to build a political machinery of his own. That takes time and money to organize.There also is need for professional political operators who will carry the main bulk of the work. Will the LP-Bacolod support Carl alone since, as of this writing, the NPC Bacolod is also for Roxas? The candidates for vice mayor of Bacolod is a one-sided combat. Number One Councilor El Cid Familiaran of GrupoProgreso is being challenged by Vladimir Gonzales of MKK. I say it is one sided because twice Gonzales ran for office in Bacolod and he lost. He ran for mayor and vice mayor and in both instances he lost. The last time he was also a candidate for vice mayor of Puentevella and he was trounced by Greg Gasataya by a mile. There were talks that he was jettisoned by Puentevella but it seems Gonzales does not believe that claim and he accepted to once again throw his hat into the ring. Ideas-wise Gonzales has a plenty but politics is not a matter of ideas but performance and presence. Gonzales has little to show in both regard. He makes his presence known only during election campaigns and when he takes a radio advertisement.His ideas are also somewhere else. Sure he has a memorial park and condominium businesses but these have only collateral benefits for the people. Facing him is Familiaran who was twice elected as top councilor. He spends most of his time with people and is well-publicized for his work in the council and beyond. In terms of presence and personal touch with people, few can match El Cid. He is in real terms “familiar” with them as they are with him. Topping the polls twice is proof enough. WITH MODESTO P. SA-ONOY Visayan Daily Star There is little slugging between Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya and former Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson who are both eyeing to represent Bacolod in the Congress. They were councilor for several terms and had been vice mayor as well. In this sense both have legislative experience that will do them well in Congress.
Under Sayson's leadership, the Bacolod Sanggunian received national recognition for its performance as the best in the country. He was fortunate that he had a council that was cooperative and not beholden to a mayor who dictated what it should do. Unfortunately people did not consider this good enough when he ran for mayor in 2013. Will he make it to Congress where the clash of ideas and arrogance are most palpable? Vice Mayor Greg Gasataya had a council that hears only the voice of Monico Puentevella rather than the welfare of the people. Thus Gasataya was tied down by the composition of his council and this prevented him from showing his best. When Puentevella was suspended by the Sandigan for graft and Gasataya took over as mayor, the council showed its true image that stalled meaningful legislation. Of course it was not Gasataya at the helm of the council during the interim but Councilor El Cid Familiaran who had to walk a tightrope. He did well to keep sanity at least intact in that council but underscored nevertheless the inane among its members. Gasataya showed his capability to make strong decisions which are vital in legislative work. The Congress is a bed of politicians with a high sense of importance of self. One must be able to walk softly and yet firmly which Gasataya showed under hostile environment. He has an amiable personality that is necessary in seeking support for legislative proposals and dealing with the executive branch for projects for his district. Carl Lopez is one person who can work alone and effectively at that. He has personal charisma and resources with connections in the national scene. His family connections are extensive and this opens to him many doors. In the event he becomes a congressman, more doors will be opened to him. He is schooled in the family of principled men and women and can be relied upon to keep his word. His term as councilor showed what he is and what he can achieve even on his own. But personal capability is not enough in a political environment as Bacolod's and some are less comfortable with a family as Carl's. Mar Roxas suffers from this public perception and despite preponderance of his personal and government resources, he lags in the public choice for president. Carl Lopez relies on the Liberal Party as its official candidate but has yet to build a political machinery of his own. That takes time and money to organize.There also is need for professional political operators who will carry the main bulk of the work. Will the LP-Bacolod support Carl alone since, as of this writing, the NPC Bacolod is also for Roxas? The candidates for vice mayor of Bacolod is a one-sided combat. Number One Councilor El Cid Familiaran of GrupoProgreso is being challenged by Vladimir Gonzales of MKK. I say it is one sided because twice Gonzales ran for office in Bacolod and he lost. He ran for mayor and vice mayor and in both instances he lost. The last time he was also a candidate for vice mayor of Puentevella and he was trounced by Greg Gasataya by a mile. There were talks that he was jettisoned by Puentevella but it seems Gonzales does not believe that claim and he accepted to once again throw his hat into the ring. Ideas-wise Gonzales has a plenty but politics is not a matter of ideas but performance and presence. Gonzales has little to show in both regard. He makes his presence known only during election campaigns and when he takes a radio advertisement.His ideas are also somewhere else. Sure he has a memorial park and condominium businesses but these have only collateral benefits for the people. Facing him is Familiaran who was twice elected as top councilor. He spends most of his time with people and is well-publicized for his work in the council and beyond. In terms of presence and personal touch with people, few can match El Cid. He is in real terms “familiar” with them as they are with him. Topping the polls twice is proof enough |
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