Friday, February 22, 2008 No politics in mayors' meet in Dumaguete By Victor L. Camion
CLOSE to a hundred mayors nationwide gathered in Dumaguete City Wednesday for the 3rd National Character First Conference.
Mayor Hector Villanueva of Bais City clarified that the meeting is not political.
Villanueva, president of the Association of Cities and Towns of Character Philippines Inc., is a close ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"There is no political topic here," said Villanueva in an informal press conference held at Bethel Guest House Wednesday morning.
He also clarified that the conference was scheduled ahead of the controversial NBN-ZTE deal inquiry that triggered several groups to hold protest rallies denouncing the government of Arroyo.
Mayor Villanueva refused to issue statement for or against whistleblower Rodolfo Lozada Jr.
"We are here to discuss what is good for our own localities," said Mayor Villanueva adding, "Undangan na nato nang politika kay samok (Let us put an end to politics because it creates trouble)."
Villanueva welcomed the mayors from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to the conference, which has for its theme "Building Cities and Towns of Character in the Philippines."
Former Local Government secretary Joey Lina was the keynote speaker of the two-day conference.
Former Tagaytay mayor Francis Tolentino, founder of the Association of Cities and Towns of Character Philippines, Inc., is one of the resource speakers on Thursday. He will be with Kent Fahrenbruck, director of the character Training Institute in Oklahoma, and retired military general Edgardo Abenina, assistant secretary for legislative liaison of the DILG in Manila.
