Wednesday, December 06, 2006 Zayco says meeting with Arroyo only a 'chicka minute' By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
ILOILO CITY - The much-awaited meeting of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with all the local chief executives in Western Visayas Tuesday turned out to be a "chicka minute" only, said Negros Occidental Acting Governor Isidro Zayco.
"I thought we were called about the proposed Charter-change but what happened was we just had a chicka portion with the President," he said. The President's visit here was divided into three parts.
First, to attend the birthday party for Justice Raul Gonzalez and his son Congressman Raul Jr. and Mayor Jerry Treñas at the Grand Hotel here.
Second, to visit the Iloilo's flood control project funded by her administration and third, to meet the Western Visayas local chief executives at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention.
But earlier every executive is expecting that they will be consulted on Cha-cha matter. But this never happened, according to Zayco.
Aside from Zayco, Mayor Carlo Gamban of Silay City, Mayor Severo Palanca of Victorias City, Mayor Jeffrey Ferrer of La Carlota City, Mayor Santiago Barcelona of Escalante City, Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. of Cadiz City, Mayor Cynthia de la Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto town, Mayor Pedro Zayco of Kabankalan City and Mayor Enrico Elumba of La Castellana town also went.
Also there were Mayor Rafael Cueva (Sagay City), Mayor Jilson Tubillara (San Enrique), Mayor Joben Alonzo (Pontevedra), Mayor Luis Mondia (Pulupandan), Mayor
Carmenia Bascon (Himamaylan City), Mayor Renato Malabor (Isabela), Mayor Evelio Leonardia (Bacolod City), Mayor Oscar Montilla (Sipalay City) and Mayor
John Paul Alvarez (Ilog).
Instead of hearing talks about Cha-cha of something about elections next year, Zayco said the President just asked them regarding the updates of their projects that her administration is assisting right now.
The President reportedly did a casual personal interview with them but the questions were something outside politics.
"But it's nice, the President was in a good mood and she was very happy and was smiling all throughout our meeting at the Sarabia Manor Hotel," Zayco added.
Cha-cha is alive
On the other hand, Gonzalez prior his birthday party told Western Visayas media that Cha-cha is still alive and may push through if not this December, then by January next year.
He said as far as he knew, there is already a time table for amending Constitution.
"It's just a matter of timing time," he added. But in case Cha-cha will push through by converting Congress into a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) then the May 10, 2007 elections will be postponed for the meantime and will be reset only after a few months, the Justice Secretary said.
Asked if he is in favor of Cha-cha, Gonzalez exclaimed, "Yes, of course!"
But if it won't push through, he is ready to face former Senate President Franklin Drilon for a battle for Congressman in Iloilo City District.
Gonzalez and Drilon have confirmed their plans of running for Congress representing Iloilo City.
Gonzalez for the administration and Drilon for the opposition.
"I am not afraid of Drilon and I am ready to fight him anytime," he also declared.
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