ILOILO City Councilor Plaridel Nava said they will turn down the request of Mayor Jose Espina III for a P35-million supplemental budget intended for a sports arena if it will only serve the mayor’s political venture.
“I’ll tell you now, without having conducted the committee hearing. I’ll tell you now, we will reject that,” Nava said.
Espinosa is seeking reelection for the mayoral post in 2019 elections with Congressman Jerry Treñas as his political rival. Nava and Treñas are political allies.
Recently, Nava, Councilor Joshua Alim, and other the incumbent councilors who were identified to run under Treñas’ lead have removed councilors Eduardo Peñaredondo and R Leone Gerochi from their committee chairmanships.
Peñaredondo will be running as councilor and Gerochi as a vice mayor candidate under Espinosa’s camp.
The removal of positions was implemented through a passed resolution passed which was signed by councilors Jose Efrain Treñas III, Lady Julie Grace Baronda, Ely Estante Jr., Armand Parcon, Maria Irene Ong, Leila Luntao, Plaridel Nava, and Joshua Alim.
Nava explained that if the proposed budget will be used to help the people, they will give their approval.
“Kung para sa tawo (people) ang budget we will give hundred percent, our support, pero kung para sa politika, we will turn it down,” Nava added.
Espinosa, however, believes that the project will be favorable to all.