Politicians compete for women

ONE sign that political rivalry is heating up in Talisay City is the creation of separate women’s groups by two incumbent officials.

Councilor Shirley Belleza, who heads the Talisay City Women’s Federation (TCWF), said that Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao is forming his own women’s group.

This followed reports the TCWF, which counts about 3,000 members, was unhappy after the council stripped Belleza of her posts as majority floor leader and chairperson of the committee on family, women and children.

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The revamp stalled Belleza’s twin proposals—the Gender and Development (GAD) Code and a proposal to strengthen the Barangay Health Workers Benefit and Incentives Act.

Belleza believes the recent move was a way to constrain her now that her husband, Aberdovey, is running against Bucao, the administration’s candidate.

Bucao, she said, is creating his own women’s group to gain the sentiments of the sector, along with their votes.

Josephine Leuterio, TCWF president, told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday this is not the first time Bucao created his own women’s group.

In 2001, Bucao’s wife, Marieta, formed her own women’s group called the Federation of Barangay Women’s Associations, managed by one Marissa Bering.

Leuterio said that during Rep. Eduardo Gullas’ term as city mayor, the federation asked for financial assistance to establish a canteen in the city’s slaughterhouse. The canteen has since been closed but the funds have not yet been liquidated, she alleged.

In a text message to Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, Vice Mayor Bucao confirmed a separate women’s group is supporting him.

He said that some barangay captains supporting his candidacy created the group for women excluded from the TCWF. He wants to facilitate their request for support.

Bucao added he is disappointed that the issue has been highly politicized, which didn’t happen during Gullas’s time as mayor.

In a separate interview, Talisay City Administrator Richel Bacaltos defended Bucao, saying it’s good a separate women’s group is helping the administration party’s campaign. He serves as the party’s campaign manager.

Other than political capital, at stake is potential control over resources that, under the law, should help women. At least five percent of a local government’s total budget is supposed to be allocated for “gender and development.”