Thursday, February 01, 2007 Nalzaro: Is Pax Pacaña out? By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
SPECULATIONS are rife that incumbent south district Councilor Arsenio “Pax” Pacaña, an original Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) stalwart, will no longer be included in the party's slate in the May elections. This following reports that Richie, the son of former vice mayor Renato Osmeña, may run for councilor in Pacaña’s district.
Earlier, Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced that City Hall's social services head Cathy Yso and Association of Barangay Councils chief Eugenio “Jingjing” Faelnar will be included in the slate for the south district to replace outgoing Councilors Procopio “Coping” Fernandez and Joy Pesquera.
In the north, only the slot to be vacated by Councilor Gabby Leyson is vacant. Leyson is running for mayor in Talisay City. Sinulog executive director Ricky Ballesteros, City Hall consultant Art Barrit and Pahina Central Barangay Captain Sisinio “Bebs” Andales are in the short list of possible replacements.
Osmeña has been saying that the equity of the incumbent rule will not be followed. This means that if he wants to ease out any incumbent councilor for whatever reason and replace him or her with a newcomer he can do it.
But he can actually do whatever he wants without consulting his party mates because he is the titular head of the party. He founded BO-PK when he ran for mayor in the late ‘80s. So nobody can question his decisions.
If Pacaña is indeed out, the next question is why. Pax, an educator, is entitled to run for reelection. Is the reason for his non-inclusion in the slate dismal performance? Is he not a team player? Didn’t he adhere to the mission and vision of BO-PK? Is it because another Osmeña is interested to run and Tomas cannot say no to him?
Those are questions only the mayor can answer. But I think Pacana's performance in the Council is very satisfactory.
The mayor has repeatedly said that the BO-PK's criteria for choosing candidates is based on performance and proven track record. But he must be kidding. What performance and proven track record is he talking about?
I don't know Yso, but the mayor said he wants her because she did not bury the relief goods stocked in her office, unlike her predecessor. Funny.
And what is the track record of Faelnar in his capacity as barangay captain of Guadalupe and as ex-officio member of the council? How many resolutions has he sponsored? Did he assist his fellow barangay officials and uplift their condition? Is organizing cockfights in the barangays a track record? Come on, Mayor Tom.
In the case of Richie, what is his track record? Is being an Osmeña the best qualification to become a councilor?
The criteria set by the mayor in choosing candidates is baloney. What does he think of the Cebuanos, crazy?
But we have no choice because the political opposition in Cebu City is not strong. Tunlon na man lang sa mga botante nang iyang mga kandidato bisag way mga ayo.
