SELF-INTEREST is manifest in the conduct of several mayors in Iloilo province in denying certain applicants for quarry operations in their respective jurisdictions. These mayors, in fact, monopolize the quarry business in their towns. Afraid of these mayors and helpless, they go to the governor’s office in the hope that the provincial lord can help them. A political animal, the governor would find a win-win solution. But most often than not, the governor sides with the mayor especially when the latter is an ally. Non-allies might not get the same favor.
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We still see overloaded trucks plying the roads of Iloilo. Many of these trucks are owned by mayors or their immediate relatives close to the governor. These trucks are destroying our roads and highways but their owners are fearless because of their political connection at the Capitol.
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The act of certain institutions donating fluids for use of dengue patients in the province of Iloilo is commendable. The fact that they make their donations through the Capitol gives these donations maximum publicity. Thanks to the ever-alert Capitol press corps. But there are other donors who chose to remain anonymous. Their rewards are in heaven.
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Senator Franklin Drilon more than deserves the accolades and citations given by the business community and business leaders. He almost single-handedly plot the infrastructure developments in Iloilo City that helped spur the local economy. Without Drilon, then-Mayor Jed Mabilog and then-Congressman now Mayor Jerry Treñas could hardly brag about their own achievements.
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The threat of criminal and administrative cases against certain Iloilo City Hall employees is obviously aimed at forcing them out of the building. The new mayor wants them to resign. Pronto! Otherwise, he will make life hard for them. Even a close relative of the mayor’s wife is not exempt. Will Engr. Bobby Divinagracia comply?
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The results of the recent League of Municipalities Iloilo election clearly established the blurred loyalties of several mayors. LMP-Iloilo has 42 member-mayors. Two days before the election, at least 29 mayors pledged to support San Enrique mayor Trixie Fernandez. The opposing camp of Ajuy mayor Jet Rojas claimed it has 22 mayors under its wings. What happened? Trixie garnered 20 votes, two votes better than Jet’s 18. Two abstained and two were absent during the election. The leaders of both camps must be scratching their heads. Who betrayed whom? On the side of Trixie, nine played Judas. Jet has been asking about the four Judases who castrated his chances of victory.
