A VICE mayoral candidate of Talisay City yesterday criticized city officials for depending on Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, 1st district) for help or guidance.
“Tanan nga mga kalihokan sa siyudad kinahanglan gyud nga ipahibawo ni Congressman Gullas. Unsa naman lang diay ang kabuot sa atong mga opisyal? Gipili sila para sa katawhan ug di kay sa usa lang ka tawo ug mobarog gyud unta sila (They inform Gullas of every thing that’s going on in the city. Don’t they have minds of their own?
They were elected by the people to govern not to depend on one person),” said former Talisay City vice mayor Aberdovey Belleza.
Belleza, who is seeking his former post again under the Liberal Party, observed that some city officials are not free to decide on their own political will as they still depend on the congressman for any decision.
Belleza made the statement after some barangay captains, who support his plan to run against administration bet and Talisay Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, alleged that they were being blackmailed by the legislator to turn their backs against him.
The former vice mayor earlier alleged that should the barangay chiefs continue to support him, they would risk losing Gullas’s support and could mean they will not get any barangay projects.
Politics
Belleza also said the brand of politics in the city is making businessmen and investors reconsider putting up business there.
He added that for the city to become a strong and comprehensive local government unit, like the City of Naga, its officials must become independent and must have the necessary political will.
However, contrary to Belleza’s allegation, Talisay City Administrator Richel Bacaltos said that the city has been prosperous due to numerous investments.
An evidence of such prosperity, said Bacaltos, is that more businessmen went to the local business licensing office in the New Talisay City Hall just to get a business permit.
Meanwhile, as the campaign period for the May elections approaches, candidates are starting to promote themselves, such as businessman and Provincial Board (PB) member aspirant Johnny V. delos Reyes, commonly known as JVR, who is reportedly giving food coupons to the congressional district’s constituents at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).
Delos Reyes’s program, dubbed Free Food Program for the Poor, is aimed at providing food for those who accompany the patients.
The coupon allows the recipient to avail himself of food at the VSMMC canteen, which is owned by the multipurpose cooperative.
De los Reyes, who ran but lost to Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez in 2007, said that once he wins the PB seat, he hopes to put up a canteen at the VSMMC to cater to the needs of his constituents.