Monday, August 27, 2007 Balamban VM elected league president
IT WAS supposed to be an uneventful assumption of officers last Friday for the local Vice Mayors League, but Doroteo Salazar of Madridejos surprised his colleagues by running against his partymate, Balamban’s Ace Binghay, for the league presidency.
Salazar lost after a secret balloting was made on the only contested position. He gained only 10 votes as opposed to Binghay’s 32.
In a speech before the votes were cast, Salazar said people worthy to be called “honorable” are only those who do not turn his back on his commitments.
In an interview after Department of Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Edmund Jamisola pronounced Binghay as winner, Salazar insisted that it was he who was “unanimously” endorsed by his partymates in a meeting two weeks ago.
“Nobody objected then so I was unopposed… Karon, napulo ra jud diay kabuok ang (Now, there are only 10 who are really) honorable,” said Salazar.
He said he received a call from Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. three days ago telling him that the consensus has changed, and that he should forego his intention of running for president. He added that he was told it was Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia who endorsed Binghay, although he “could not get a confirmation.”
Nominated
A source, who requested anonymity, said that it was Binghay who was nominated two weeks ago, and when Binghay asked if there might be other vice mayors who are interested for the post, Salazar volunteered to do so. No one raised objections.
Binghay, for his part, took his oath of office yesterday alongside 17 other officers of the league.
Binghay, 34-year-old son of Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay, said he won’t make any promises of what he will do for the league.
“Di unya nato mabuhat, mahog tang hambogero ana (I may not be able to accomplish it. We’ll only appear conceited). But I’ll do my best for the league. I can’t do it on my own, so I hope to get the cooperation not just of the officers but of all the members,” said Binghay.
Vice mayors who ran alongside the political foes of Governor Garcia’s One Cebu Party were also given positions.
Pinamungajan’s Jeffrey Yapha, son of defeated gubernatorial candidate Antonio Yapha, was named member of the board of directors (BOD) for the third district. Toledo City’s Aurelio Espinosa, a Yapha ally, is auditor.
From the fourth district, Martinez’s allies Michael Miranda and Herman Bascon were also named BOD members. (JPM)
