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Wednesday, August 07, 2002
PDP bry exec denies jump to Padayon fold
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
"DILI pa karon (Not just now)."
Opposition barangay Indahag chairperson Carmelito Damo said this in response to reports that he would pay a "courtesy call" on Mayor Vicente Emano days after getting re-elected in the barangay elections held last July 15.
Damo also dispelled rumors that another opposition local official, Barangay Kauswagan chairperson Roger Abaday, is sending "feelers" about his plan to return to the PaDayon Pilipino fold.
Both Damo and Abaday together with other barangay officials are facing criminal charges before the Ombudsman Mindanao in connection with their alleged misuse of P27.3 million worth of medical funds.
The funds are sourced from Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr.'s Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program. The charges were filed by some barangay councilmen, particularly those in Kauswagan.
During a recent visit to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) to request for medicines under the MAIP, Damo stressed that Abaday was only planning to make a courtesy call, not rejoin the party.
When asked where Abaday's courtesy call would lead to, Damo was evasive. "Basta basta...mag-istorya ra unya 'ta (We will talk more later)."
Abaday, who used to be one of Emano's top political lieutenants, was unavailable for comment as of press time Sunday.
Gravitating to money
Emano earlier told Sun.Star that opposition PDP-Laban barangay chairpersons who pay him a courtesy call aren't necessarily jumping ship to PaDayon Pilipino.
"In fact I would like everybody to set aside politics and now serve the people who have long suffered because of too much politicking," he said.
The PDP-Laban camp is keeping their cool despite the mayor's challenge to rebuild their ranks following a 70-10 blowout in the synchronized elections last month.
"Bisan na ug 80-0 pa (Even if it is 80-0) this is nothing to boast of as the minds of the masses are fickle," PDP-Laban leader and lawyer Roderico Villaroya said.
He said for the moment the masses know "which side of the bread is buttered" so to speak. Villaroya said PaDayon's reign would last only until Emano has the financial muscle to support them.
"They (the masses) have always gravitated towards a person who has the reputation of having money," the lawyer said.
Emano agreed with Villaroya saying that despite their numbers it would not guarantee a third term for him as mayor in the 2004 elections.
"It does not mean that because you got the majority you are already guaranteed as you can never read the minds of the masses especially those here in Cagayan de Oro," he said.
Emano said when it comes to elections native Cagayananons are "very wise voters" in that they would accept the money but vote according to their conscience.
Around 70 of the 80 barangay chiefs who won in the July 15 elections belong to the PaDayon Pilipino party.
The mayor said seven of the barangay chairpersons are PDP-Laban affiliated while three are independents.
Emano said out of the seven PDP-Laban there are three of them who already sent "feelers" voicing their support for him despite their different party affiliations. |
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