Wednesday, October 25, 2006 Lawmaker's ex-aide my run against him in May By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
GAMES and Amusement Board (GAB) Commissioner Alex Paglumotan might be compelled to run for the lone congressional seat of Bacolod City and against his former boss, incumbent Representative Monico Puentevella.
In a telephone interview Tuesday, Paglumotan said a lot of people, have pushed him to run for Congress although knowing that he was the top campaigner of the Bacolod lawmaker during the 2004 national and local elections.
Paglumotan, a former broadcaster turned politician however, neither said yes nor no on the offer. At least not until the political scenario he is waiting for will happen.
He said it will serve as a turning point for his "critical" decision later.
"For now, I still enjoy my work and running against Newks is not my priority," he clarified.
A source of Sun.Star, however, said that Paglumotan had broken his ties with Puentevella.
"Alex is really angry now with Newks and is determined to release a bombshell that will hurt the congressman," said the source who met Paglumotan in a mall the Monday.
This "bombshell" according to the source will include issues plus anomalies related to the rehabilitation of the Paglaum Sports Complex during the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Bacolod, the much-talked fertilizer scam and the asphalt scam at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), among others.
When asked for comment, Paglumotan simply refused to confirm nor deny this talk saying the Congressman do not believe that he will be running for Congress next year.
Contacted through his cellular phone, Puentevella who is still out of the country, also refused to comment on Paglumotan's statement.
"No comment! I respect whatever his decision is," the lawmaker said.
Though, he referred Sun.Star to a certain Eldy Estrañero in his congressional office to give comment about Paglumotan.
Estrañero, however, cannot be reached as of press time.
Not shocking
Former congressman John Orola Jr., however, said Paglumotan's statement is not a shocking development anymore.
It might be and its possible, Orola said but refused to further comment on the matter.
Paglumotan was also a former political ally of Orola during the 2001 election.
In 2004, however, Paglumotan, who was host of a cable television program, "went wild" against Orola and attacked the former solon on the issue of a multi-million peso Baciwa loan from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC).
He also lambasted Orola in his television program using "unsavory" language and questioning the gender of the former lawmaker.
Worse, Paglumotan was accused as the one who choreographed a certain "Sarah" dubbed as the "Crying Lady" against Orola during the 2004 campaign season.
When Puentevella triumphed, Paglumotan was appointed as a GAB commissioner.
His appointment was considered to be Puentevella's handiwork by using his influence in Malacañang.
Not only Alex
Last week, former television host and businessman Rodolfo "Babes" Alvarez also declared his bid against Puentevella.
Alvarez said he is very unsatisfied with the performance of the incumbent solon.
He added that he is also ready to expose everything against Puentevella. But it will only be in the proper time and the proper venue.
Aside from Paglumotan and Alvarez, City Councilor Lyndon Caña and Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) President Ed Guillem are also said to be eyeing the Congressional post. Both refused to comment though.
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