IS BUSINESSMAN Glenn Soco using his “powerful position” in the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 for his personal and political agenda? I pose this question because he is still there and still holds the position of chairman of the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC). I thought he already resigned from the RDC after he filed his certificate of candidacy as Provincial Board member in the sixth district.
I didn’t know he was there until I read the headline of SunStar Cebu on Friday, Jan. 25, wherein he was making noise again about the various infrastructure projects in Metro Cebu that were subject for approval in his committee. He also posted on his Facebook account his meeting with President Duterte in Malacañang together with an unidentified lady in a black dress. I don’t know what the occasion was. There was no caption. Well, that’s none of our business.
May I just ask Soco: where is his delicadeza? He is running for an elective position and he still holds that position in the RDC? Why doesn’t he go on a leave of absence during this election period? What’s in that position that he still sticks to it despite his involvement in partisan politics? I said “powerful position” because all projects pertaining to infrastructures in the region will go through his committee for evaluation and study before these will be recommended for approval during the RDC full council meeting.
In SunStar Cebu’s Friday banner story, Soco again talked about feasibility studies of the tunnel projects submitted by the Department of Public Works and Highways to the RDC. These are the eight-kilometer underpass from D. Jakosalem to Talamban proper, an underpass from D. Jakosalem to F. Sotto Drive at the side of the main Iglesia Ni Kristo church, an underpass from Salinas Drive to Pope John Paul Ave. to Serging Osmeña at the North Reclamation Area, an underpass from Cardinal Rosales to F. Cabahug, Hernan Cortes then to Subangdako flyover in Mandaue City and an underpass from the junction of M.J. Cuenco Ave. to Gorordo Ave. and Dona Modesta Gaisano St. in Lahug.
Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar came up with these proposals with the aim of solving the horrendous traffic problem in Cebu City. Soco said these proposals will be subjected to feasibility studies. The technical results will guide infrastructure planners on their viability as solutions to traffic.
Is there a political undertone in Soco’s incessant stand to conduct feasibility studies? Well, your guess is good as mine.
Del Mar is associated with the “former political has-been.” And Soco’s patron in the RDC is Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino. You see the connection? Had these been their allies’ projects, there would have been no need for feasibility studies.
This is the same Glenn Soco who complained why Cebu got the lowest infrastructure budget last year compared to the cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Maybe he forgot that Duterte is from Davao City while Koko Pimentel, who then was Senate president when the 2018 budget was approved, hails from Cagayan de Oro. Why did we get the lowest budget when Cebu is the second biggest city outside Metro Manila? The answer is because we have officials like Soco at the RDC who block projects because of politics.
I would like to suggest to Soco to take a leave of absence from the RDC so his actions will not be tainted with politics. He is with the group of Sixth District Rep. Jonas Cortes, who is running for mayor in Mandaue City against incumbent Mayor Luigi Quisumbing. What if there are projects in Mandaue City, which will involve Quisumbing’s administration? What will be his stand?
In his campaign video on social media, Soco hyped his accomplishments and success as a businessman. His platform is “Trabaho aron mo-asenso.” Unsaon pag-asenso? He cannot even give a decent salary to his employees in his coffee and janitorial businesses? Asenso na ba kaha hinoon?