|
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Mayor names proponents in ouster campaign
By Roberto L. Bacasong
MAYOR Evelio "Bing" Leonardia named former mayor and erstwhile governor Alfredo Montelibano Jr., former mayor Luzviminda Valdez, Rene "Papang" Novero and son Vice Mayor Renecito Novero as proponents of the oust-Bing campaign.
"From the start, they don't want this administration to succeed. I will go ahead with my duties and responsibilities," said the mayor, adding that he's not affected by any recall move.
Leonardia said majority of Bacolodnons do not favor the recall.
He said he had yet to talk the matter out with Montelibano, his godfather, whom he said snubbed him.
Montelibano ran for Congress in 1995 but lost to the late Representative Romeo Guanzon.
The latter's sibling, Roberto, lost to Leonardia in the mayoralty race.
Leonardia believed the loss of the Montelibanos in the 1995 polls could have triggered the anti-Bing campaign.
As of presstime Monday, Sun.Star Bacolod tried to reach Montelibano for comment, to no avail.
When asked if Bacolod real estate mogul Simplicio Palanca, owner/developer of the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation (Bredco), is the financier of the recall move, Leonardia said: "I have no comment to that."
But former mayor Oscar Verdeflor said Palanca is the man behind the move to pin down the Leonardia administration.
Verdeflor admitted Monday his participation to the oust-Leonardia campaign.
"Due to (Leonardia's) incompetence and corruption, we wanted to oust him," said Verdeflor.
The former mayor said he, Valdez, Montelibano and the Noveros are of different groups, holding separate meetings, to hatch the recall move against Leonardia.
Novero and Valdez cannot be reached for comment Monday.
Verdeflor said they will start mobilizing the signature campaign against the incumbent mayor by the end of March until May.
After collating 15 percent or 40,000 signatories in the total population of Bacolod, the wheelchair-bound former local chief executive said they will submit the documents to the Commission on Elections for proper action.
Verdeflor, however, refused to mention the names of his supporters including those affiliated with other camps that seek the destabilization of the Leonardia administration.
Spare me
Village head Ellery Cadeleña, of Barangay 40, on the other hand, scored the elder Novero for reportedly dragging his name as leader of the recall movement.
Cadeleña though admitted he is one of the leaders in the ouster drive against Leonardia.
"Papang Novero, please respect me," Cadeleña said.
Leonardia said he will schedule a personal talk with Cadeleña.
Trackers' participation
"Trackers are being used already," said the mayor of the controversial legislative tracking program.
Leonardia said Novero hired legislative trackers to materialize the anti-administration movement.
(March 15, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
