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Saturday, April 01, 2006
Ledesma: A hot seat in the City Council
By Jun Ledesma
Sunbursts
THE members of the City Council of Davao are restive again. I heard from the grapevine that there would be another revamp.
This time the object of the reorganization will be Majority Floor Leader Nonoy Galicia who, not too long ago, was revered by the moral crusaders in the Council as a paragon of clean and honest elected officials.
Nonoy is a rare breed indeed. In fact when the present council majority was plotting to oust then MFL Vic Advincula they marketed Nonoy as one fit for canonization. Someone not easily persuaded by whatever influence and one who can lead the city legislature on the road to reform.
It was an undertone that was meant to convey to the public that Advincula and his cohorts were not that clean.
Advincula had been subjected to unkind and derogatory simile, "manoy", being the unkindest attribution of all. Not only did Vic lose the leadership in the majority, he was also deprived of any committee chairmanship. Most of his colleagues laughed at him but Vic took his fate in stride. Having been elected to serve, he told me that he would continue to serve. And as a fiscalizer he will be.
I personally know Nonoy Galicia. He is a man of integrity and steadfast in his adherence to rules and regulations. I have always thought that politics, which is a dirty game, will only besmirch his reputation sooner or later.
There are always dubious characters lurking and salivating for positions of influence. The Sanggunian is not different from the present houses of congress where greed for power and corruption take precedence over legislation. Of course the Davao City Council pale in comparison but by the trend of events some members are learning fast from what is obtaining in Congress.
To yank out Nonoy is like placing him in juxtapose with Vic. Now you can look at this possibility in two perspectives: Nonoy is as "manoy" as Vic or Vic is as clean and uncompromising as Nonoy.
I have no idea yet as to who will replace Nonoy. My mole in the Council said that it would be Jess Zozobrado. Still another wag said it would be Mabel Acosta. Maybe none of the above. The position of Majority Floor Leader seemed to be cursed. It looks like anyone who steps into that shoe will not only get alipunga (athletes foot for you) but aspersion.
My other question moreover is: will Mayor Rody Duterte step into the picture? True, the Council has been supportive of him, regardless of who stands tall in the floor, but that is something personal. Nobody quarrels with the Mayor.
Anyone who dares spells his political doom. Not that Duterte will isolate him or her, but the overwhelming majority of Davaowenos who believed in the leadership of the Mayor will. On the other hand, I firmly believe that Mayor Rody is not lending a deaf ear on party matters. He knows who shamelessly clings to him like barnacle for political expediency. In short, he knows the loyalty of each of the councilors like the back of his hand. Given the fact that elections is fast approaching, I now believe that Mayor Duterte will re-examine what is presently obtaining in the Council and will telegraph who is his choice for the MFL. That choice of course will be confined to who can best boost party interest.
CHECK THIS OUT. Philamlife is launching in Davao City a new product called "Money Tree." This is a one-time dollar placement in Philam's fund management group where the investor is sure to get a much larger return for his money (compared to time deposit) but at the same time is personally insured. It's a double treat that is selling like hotcake in the market. Philamlife's EVP for Marketing and Sales, Jess Hofilena and SVP Agency Sales Aibe Cantos will be in Davao City on Wednesday for the launch at Marco Polo Hotel. Aside from "Money Tree" a new Philamlife product -- Milestone -- will also be introduced here.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (April 1, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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