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Thursday, April 20, 2006
Ponteras meets Danding
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan and Roberto L. Bacasong
FORMER Bacolod City Police Director Vicente Ponteras confirmed Wednesday meeting business tycoon and former Ambassador Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco prior to his Tuesday announcement of his intention to run for mayor in next year's elections.
Ponteras, though, refused to reveal the details of their meeting.
In a telephone interview Wednesday night, he only said, "No comment yet," when asked if Danding will play a vital role in his candidacy.
"What I can say right now is that I have nothing against Bing (Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia). Only that I want to make a difference."
Leonardia remains unfazed.
In a press conference Wednesday, he reiterated that "talking politics" at this time is still too early.
The mayor said he is busy attending to his duties especially that call centers and SM are investing in the city.
"I believe if I will engage in politicking it will affect my job as the city mayor. I don't want to react since this is a democratic country," Leonardia said.
He also said he was not able to talk with Ponteras after the latter's retirement in October last year.
Leonardia had chosen Ponteras to head the Bacolod City Police Office after his comeback as the mayor of Bacolod in July 2004.
The mayor also said his godfather Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon called him and told him that he (Marañon) is not endorsing anyone.
"I appreciate the effort of my godfather for calling me. I know somebody is dragging his name that he is endorsing anybody for Bacolod," said Leonardia.
Earlier, talks circulated that Marañon was behind Ponteras' bid.
Marañon, for his part, denied endorsing Ponteras but said the latter is welcome to join their local political party--the Cojuangco-formed United Negros Alliance (UNA)--anytime.
However, the governor said Ponteras should undergo the usual process in becoming an official UNA member.
"As I reiterated anybody of legal age is entitled to join our party as long as one should be responsible and become a good leader and God-fearing," he said.
The mayor admitted Wednesday that his camp is conducting a validity check of the village chieftains in the city.
"Based on our findings there were 40 barangay captains supporting my administration. I don't know about the other camp's claim that they also have 40 chieftains on their side since the city only has 61 barangays," he said.
As to the regular employees of the city, Leonardia also said these employees are civil service eligible and have the mandate to perform their duties and responsibilities.
"I don't want my administration to have a white elephant employees and the 15-30 so-called employees," said the mayor.
As to the casuals, he opined that he hired those casuals who supported him but clarified that these casual employees are also competent and are professionals.
(April 20, 2006 issue)
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