BITTER words came out of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan’s mouth when he spoke about Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Eduardo Cuizon, whom he said does not want unity for the good of the city.
Chan said Cuizon, barangay captain of Bankal, often blocks resolutions filed in the City Council. As the ABC head, Cuizon sits as an ex-officio member in the local legislature.
The mayor delivered his criticism against Cuizon during the gathering of ABC members at the city auditorium on Tuesday night, Nov. 12, 2019. The ABC president is an ally of the Radazas, Chan’s political archenemies.
Cuizon, who was not present in the event, saw Chan’s speech through a live feed on social media.
Only 10 percent was true in Ahong’s speech and most of what he said were lies, Cuizon said in an interview with Superabalita Cebu.
The city has 30 barangays. Only 23 representatives, of whom 12 were barangay captains, showed up in the event.
During his speech, Chan did not hide the disappointment he felt towards Cuizon. The mayor said he always reaches out to the opposition, but the ABC top honcho often rebuffs his efforts.
On his first day of office last July 1, Chan said, if he were a vengeful man, he would not have signed the check intended for the payment of Cuizon’s wife services at the City Hall.
Cuizon’s wife filed for a terminal leave at the time.
Chan said he called Cuizon, asking the barangay captain whether he should sign the terminal leave application.
The mayor said he did not want Cuizon’s wife to quit City Hall.
Cuizon, for his part, Chan had the obligation to sign the leave application.
He said had Chan refused to sign the document, the mayor could be charged before the Ombudsman.
The ABC president denied Chan’s claim that there had been a resolution filed in the City Council for a project that would bring water supply to Barangay Punta Engaño, but it did not push through because of Cuizon’s opposition to it.
Cuizon said there was no such resolution filed in the City Council.
He said he also favored measures that are for the city’s good.
Cuizon said he voted for the approval of the Annual Investment Plan—the basis for the annual budget. (FVQ, KAL)