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Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Feud between mayor, solon heats up
By Albert B. Lacanlale
* Battle of propaganda materials begin
* Duo expected to collide head-on for city's mayoral seat
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The relationship between former political allies Third District Representative Rey B. Aquino and City Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez has turned from sour to bitter.
Following a successful tandem in the 2004 elections, the two officials are expected to collide head-on for the mayoral seat of the city.
Though Aquino has yet to make public his political plans for the 2007 election, opinions raised over the pass few months point to a probable "battle royal" for the city's top position.
Aquino, a former mayor of this city, switched positions with Rodriguez, the district's former representative to Congress.
Recent developments in the brewing fight between the former friends include the release of propaganda materials against the two officials.
Though nobody could pinpoint the actual sources of the propaganda materials that have been spread in various points in the city, the public could only surmise a hostile atmosphere separating the camps of Aquino and Rodriguez.
Since last month, print materials have been circulating in the city decrying the City Government's deal with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for a P125 million loan. These were followed by Aquino's petition to impose a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the implementation and release of the loan proceeds.
Flak did not fall on the Rodriguez's camp alone however. Early this week, newsletters, which highlighted Aquino's alleged lack of projects for the improvement of school facilities, circulated in the city.
The eight-page newsletter lambasted the then administration of Aquino for a deal with a foreign firm, Rethman and the Pro-Environment Consortium (PEC) on the implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
The Aquino administration, the published material claimed, also attempted to loan some P500 million.
On March 25, 2002, it said, Aquino, as city mayor, and one Danilo versus Fausto, president of the Preferred Ventures Corp., entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) which authorizes the firm to represent the City Government in preparing a series of bond floats to a cumulative total of P500 million.
The newsletter also showed photographs of the poor conditions of several schools, daycare centers, old public market and the city slaughterhouse.
While unabashedly hitting Aquino, the newsletter also highlighted the performance of the Rodriguez administration, including the awards and recognition that the City has received under its present leadership.
(March 8, 2006 issue)
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