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Sunday, December 15, 2002
Talisay vice mayor cries foul
By Ramon Jaluag
TALISAY City Vice Mayor Lani Abarquez has called on City Administrator Alan Bucao to resign and not use his position to resurrect his failed political ambition.
Abarquez who defeated Bucao, the runningmate of Mayor Eduardo Gullas in last year’s election, was apparently reacting to Bucao’s media pronouncements in defense of the planned transfer of City Hall and the construction of the proposed structure.
Bucao had accused Abarquez and opposition Councilors Petronilo Em-paces, Ben Abatayo and Serrie Restauro, who had questioned the transfer of the seat of government, of squeezing the issue dry to gain media mileage.
Since the vice mayor had elevated the matter before the Office of the Ombudsman for the
Visayas for review, Bucao had urged the vice mayor and her fellow oppositionists to wait for the issue to be resolved and not whip up a hate campaign against Gullas.
“I would like to remind Mr. Bucao that as an appointed government official, he serves not just the mayor and the majority bloc in the City Council but the whole City as well, including the vice mayor and the minority,” said Abarquez.
‘Apolitical’
Abarquez stressed that Bucao’s position as city administrator is “apolitical” and as such should not be made to promote his political interest.
“If he wants to make a comeback (in the political arena), he might as well resign. He should not use his position to resurrect his political ambition,” Abarquez said.
Abarquez warned Bu-cao he could be charged with partisanship.
But Bucao denied Abar-quez’s accusation, saying he is only performing his job in doing what is good for Talisay City.
“Promoting political interest? Excuse me. Maybe her, not me,” said Bucao when reached for comment.
Bucao issued an unsolicited advice to Abarquez.
“She should cast aside politics and understand by heart her functions as presiding officer of the City Council and not as leader of the opposition,” Bucao said.
Bucao denied harboring any interest in seeking an elective office in the future. He said the 12 years he had served as barangay captain, as municipal councilor for two terms and as vice mayor were enough for him and his family.
He only acquiesced to Gullas’s request to serve with him at City Hall as City Administrator, Bucao said, in cognizance of his debt of gratitude to the latter who had imbued in him the zest for public service.
“If she sees me as a threat, I take it as a compliment. But the lady should not lose sleep over it,” said Bucao. |
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