Councilors act like spoiled brats

“Leaders who are kind of insecure or egocentric, they basically sabotage themselves.” John C. Maxwell

By Alex P. Vidal

THE acts by the city councilors of boycotting regular sessions and refusing to acknowledge their presiding officer since November 2014 have become inimical to the interest of the people of Roxas City, Capiz.

They’re tantamount to sabotage.

The Roxas city council has not officially passed several important measures since that period because of their refusal to attend the regular sessions.

Dadivas could not convene a regular session for lack of quorum.

Just like a father who can’t start the dinner because his children aren’t yet around to occupy their seats in the long table.

Citing “loss of confidence” in Vice Mayor Ronnie T. Dadivas, Councilors Julius L. Abela, Erwin B. Sicad, Cesar S. Yap, Erlynne B. Lim, Jennifer Anisco-Poliran, Matthew James Viterbo, Trina Marie Almalbis-Ignacio, Jose Agdalipe, and Virgilio A. Santos Jr. have refused to attend regular sessions as long as Dadivas is the presiding officer.

“Loss of confidence” is actually an oxymoron in this circumstance since both the vice mayor and city councilors are elected officials.

Sentiments are mere expressions and can’t be enacted into a law or ordinance.

TRANSLATE

Sentiments can’t be translated into a bellicose act that would jeopardize basic social services.    

They can’t be used to sabotage an official proceeding or regular session.

Appointed or co-terminus officials in the executive department can go anytime for loss of confidence from their appointing official, in this case either he is the mayor, the governor or the president.

Ironically, their rebellious acts began after Dadivas had a falling out with Mayor Angel Alan B. Celino, an ally of these brats.

In other words, politics or political bickering.

Because of politics, these city officials don’t give a damn if they will sacrifice the good and welfare of the people who elected them.

To add insult to taxpayers’ injury, they reportedly held a “session” inside the office of Mayor Celino on January 3, 2015 without Dadivas.

The city councilors did not only breach the separation of power between the executive and legislative branches, but they also yielded to the city mayor the city council’s jurisdiction as a co-equal branch.

A case of a lightning that strikes twice: their recalcitrance or continuing defiance to attend the official or regular session, and their deliberate move or brazenness to “convene” a session and “passed” resolutions with the presiding officer in the executive territory.

Only members of the city mayor’s cabinet are supposed to hold “sessions” inside the executive foxhole, not members of a legislature with the same electoral mandate.

Politics must have reared its ugly face early last year when the city councilors tried to unseat Dadivas as presiding officer in a special session on Nov. 20, 2014.

DECLARE

They approved a resolution declaring loss of confidence in Dadivas.

They were, however, stopped in their tracks by Regional Trial Court Judge Ignacio Alajar who issued a TRO against the city councilors after Dadivas sought a temporary restraining order (TRO)/injunction with the court.

The court prohibited them from holding sessions without the knowledge and authority of the presiding officer.

Dadivas has filed charges of usurpation of authority, grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of public officials, and dereliction of duty against the city councilors before the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Dadivas was contemplating also to file a petition with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to declare their position vacant.

A special election may be called if the Comelec will take cognizance of the vice mayor’s petition “because they--with malice aforethought--abandoned their duty as elected councilors of Roxas City.”

The city councilors, however, remained unfazed.

It’s so sad that politics has become the biggest stumbling block in the city’s march to progress and unity.

They have become fragmented politically.

No less than Capiz-pride DILG chief Mar Roxas has repeatedly enunciated the need for people of the city and province to unite because of the “bigger battle” they will face in 2016, whatever that means.

Will Mabilog ‘save’ city hall execs in market mess?

“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” Arnold H. Glasow

 By Alex P. Vidal

HITLER defended his controversial personal physician, Theodor Morell, from Nazi intriguers when they tried to link him in the aborted assassination of the Der Fuhrer on July 20, 1944.

Will the world’s number five city mayor, Jed Patrick Mabilog, also defend Iloilo City administrator Norlito Bautista and former Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) chief Vincent dela Cruz?

Bautista and Dela Cruz could not be victims of intrigues like Morell as it was the City Council committee on slaughterhouse and public markets chaired by Rodel Agado that is poised to recommend the filing of raps against them for the alleged rackets at the Iloilo Terminal Market or popularly known among Ilonggos as “super.”

The committee conducted several hearings and invited key witnesses and parties involved before coming up with a decision to hold the two officials accountable.

The hearings uncovered, among other irregularities, the unauthorized use of job hires and employees to collect rental fees and issue receipts and other accountable forms to market vendors.

DETAILS

Councilor Plaridel Nava said the full details of their investigation will be revealed this week.

Ribbed in the media for being a “rubber stamp” of the mayor’s office, Agado and Nava are beginning to let their critics eat their words with their bold decision to throw the books on two of Mabilog’s minions.

Mabilog may have already been tipped off of the committee’s move against two of his trusted lieutenants, and must be willing to subject them to any disciplinary action if evidence will warrant.

The city mayor is aware that prematurely absolving Bautista and Dela Cruz of any culpability in the market fiasco is not the logical step at this stage.

He is expected to let the chips fall where they may and respect the city council’s recommendation against his two underlings as a co-equal branch in government.

 -o0o-

ILOILO cable TV host Vicente “Danny Baby” Foz, Jr., and former scribe and now Iloilo capitol employee Nelson Robles share contrasting stories.

While Good Samaritans led by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog came to Danny Baby’s rescue when the latter was fighting for his life after suffering from stroke at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Iloilo Doctors Hospital on January 15, Robles is hard-pressed to look for cash needed for his “immediate” operation for prostate cancer.

The two met at Madge Café in La Paz Public Market in La Paz district, Iloilo City on Friday and shared their respective plights.  

Danny Baby: “First of all, I would like to thank Mayor Mabilog for visiting me three times during my confinement (from Jan. 15-29) despite his busy schedules. I understand that his schedule was full because it was a Dinagyang festival week.”

Danny Baby said he was at Amigo Terrace Hotel at around five o’clock in the afternoon on January 15 when he felt a pain in his abdomen and he couldn’t breath.

He was rushed to the hospital. Nurses called people listed in his cellular phone. First to arrive were fellow cable TV hostess Tonette Toledo and Manny Alcalde. Panay News managing editor Herbert Vego and DPWH Engr. Mario Castillano also came.

Danny Baby, 52, said Tonette texted Mayor Mabilog, who immediately sent political affairs consultant Ariel Castaneda "to fix matters."

Rizal–Lapuz village chief Releo Lumayad and Jalandoni Estate, Lapuz village chief Efren Gimeo also arrived one after the other.

Among those who also extended help, Danny Baby said, were Rep. Jerry Trenas, Councilor Lex Tupas and contractor Jojo Ang. “I thank God because this is now my second life,” he intoned.   

CANCER

Robles, 64, said he learned that he has a prostate cancer only last January 5 when result of his biopsy came out.

He underwent biopsy examination on December 22, 2014 conducted by Dr. Raul N. Sancho.

“My cancer is stage one,” sobbed Robles.

He said he needed immediate cash so he can undergo a nuclear bone scan “as soon as possible” before the operation which, he said, is scheduled in April.

“I’m only a capitol employee. I’m alone now (his wife, Zenaida, a public school teacher in Oton, Iloilo, died several years ago) and my three children are not anymore living with me. I might die if I can’t raise the needed amount for my operation,” teary-eyed Robles lamented. 

“To tell you honestly, I’m getting desperate right now and I’m waiting for my children to at least get in touch with me. I missed them so much. I want to see them before everything will be too late.”

Ilonggos face moral bankruptcy with STL’s surge

“Disappointment is a sort of bankruptcy-the bankruptcy of a soul that expends too much in hope and expectation.” 
                                                                          Eric Hoffer

By Alex P. Vidal

GAMBLING–legal or illegal—should not be used as a weapon to fight poverty.

There are many ways to combat poverty.

Number one is population control.

A bloated population means more mouths to be fed.

Less people means less problems on malnutrition; less problems on shortage of food production; less problems on housing; less problems on employment and other social services.

The government won’t be over-burdened.

Inviting investors to build factories; encouraging small-scale businesses; and pushing for income-generating programs and activities that provide employment opportunities.  

But not gambling.

Gambling corrupts both the poor and the rich.

It corrupts those in political power absolutely as they stand to benefit once we allow gambling like small town lottery (STL) to be legalized in Iloilo province.

Poverty can’t be solved overnight.

We are supposed to embrace the value of hard work if we want to rise in the economic ladder, and not to depend on numbers game.

STL, when legalized, can provide employment for those who solicit bets, but it will eat up the moral fiber of Ilonggos, who will only rely their luck-or even next meals-in the game of chance.

Since they expect to win an instant lump sum of cash for a small bet by the stroke of luck, Ilonggos will become head-over-heels with STL.

MANNA

They will only wait for the manna from heaven, thus they will end up lazy and won’t dream big beyond earning via easy money schemes.

Gambling will also teach Ilonggos to become subservient to politicians or those who advocated for the removal of any barrier to make it legal.

Gambling or the legalization of STL will also send a wrong signal to the younger generation.

When our own leaders are the ones pushing for gambling, it means it’s not evil per se; it means whether it is moral or immoral depends on the interpretation or choice of our leaders.

The church has been consistent on its stand against any form of gambling, much less any move to provide it with a legal structure.

We expect the church to make a solid stand once the provincial board of Iloilo will pass a resolution to give the governor’s office the green signal in favor of the legalization of STL.

We already have so many legalized gambling operations in the country.

LOTTO

Online-lotto under the auspices of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PSCO) is one of them.

But life of the Filipinos has not improved.

Many still live under the poverty belt.

Crime rate is still blamed on overpopulation, unemployment and lack of economic opportunities for qualified job-seekers.

The number of poor has not been reduced.

Despondent heads of families will no longer dream big and will be hooked on the legalized gambling for instant relief from the rigors of life.

In STL, only the politicians and police will stand ten feet tall, not the members of the hoi polloi.

It will not ensure an instant food on the table for bettors; it will not ensure an instant tuition fee for the students; it will not ensure a better life for Ilonggos as a whole.

Ilonggos will suffer from moral and even spiritual bankruptcy.

Gallar a pawn in STL saga?

“I can't speak on behalf of the show. I'm not a creator; I'm just a pawn.”  Randy Harrison

By Alex P. Vidal

THE main reason why small town lottery (STL) was not legalized in the province of Iloilo is because then Gov. Neil D. Tupas Sr. was against illegal gambling per se.

Under Tupas, STL was never a serious topic. 

It's a taboo.

Tupas would pay attention to anyone who visited his office and even his house in Hechanova, Jaro district, Iloilo City but would sneer at those who would convince him to support gambling operation in the province.

Although the provincial board had passed a resolution interposing no objection to the operation of STL in the province, it met a major snag due to Tupas’ lackadaisical attitude.

No one could fathom why Tupas, who reigned from 2001 until 2010, was so allergic to gambling.

On several occasions, Tupas gave cold shoulder treatment to liaisons of gambling operators lobbying for the STL in the province.

Reports that Tupas “nixed a monthly payola” from illegal gambling operators were confirmed by the most diligent factotum of Bogart, one of Iloilo’s most powerful and most influential illegal gambling operators.

“Sakit sa ulo na si gob (Tupas). Ka tig a gid. (It’s hard to convince Governor Tupas. He is really hard),” the diligent factotum grumbled.

The grapevine was so loud at that time that as long as Tupas was the governor, there’s no way for STL or any gambling activity to prosper, much less be legalized in the province.

LIGHT

Under the administration of Gov. Arthur “Art” Defensor Sr., gambling or STL found light at the end of the tunnel, finally.

In fact, Defensor is himself pushing to allow STL in the province in order to solve the problems brought by its clandestine operations.

The governor’s ally in the provincial board, Manny Gallar, has started the ball rolling.

In the recent regular session of the provincial board, Gallar sponsored a resolution pushing for legalization of STL.

Gallar’s move came in the heels of former Iloilo first district congressman Oscar “Oca” Garin’s Sr. saber-rattling that some municipal mayors and police chiefs in his district were receiving protection racket from illegal gambling operators.

Interestingly, Garin’s only son, Rep. Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr., acting as chair of the committee as a whole, introduced the board resolution in 2010 when the latter was still the vice governor.

Garin Jr’s committee in 2010 held public consultations and concluded that “the operation of STL in the province will not contribute in cultivating a culture of immoral gambling among the Ilonggos; the societal value of STL as a tool to eradicate jueteng, an illegal numbers game, may be enhanced by allowing its operations, and from the standpoint of government as the primary agency charged with addressing the needs of its people, it can be prudently argued that the funds generated from STL appear to promise available resources for a more responsive and effective delivery of basis services to its constituents.”

CHARITY

STL charity fund sharing scheme suggested that the host city or municipality gets the biggest slice of the STL revenue share at 10 percent. 

Capitol and the PNP will get five percent apiece.

Each of the five districts of Iloilo will earn 2.5 percent.

With Defensor’s imprimatur, Gallar’s resolution is expected to have a smooth sailing.

Gambling proponents think now is the right time to step up the campaign to legalize STL because of the apparent harmonious relationship between Defensor and the provincial legislature.

No feud means no opposition. 

No check and balance?

When he was still anchorman of Bombo Radyo Iloilo, Gallar lambasted illegal gambling operations in the city and province in his early morning radio program.

He was fearless and consistent in his anti-illegal gambling commentaries.

As a provincial board member, Gallar now advocates for STL’s legalization.

A 360-degree turn for the diminutive politician from Cabatuan, Iloilo.

He must only be a pawn in this saga.

  

Boy Ex Javier is not Art Defensor

“Working hard and working smart sometimes can be two different things.”  Byron Dorgan

By Alex P. Vidal

A VIDEO can be cruel if its entire episode is not seen.

The video of that ugly microphone-grabbing incident at the E. B. Javier Freedom Park in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique last Monday morning immediately elicited sympathies for ousted Antique governor Exequiel “Boy Ex” Javier after it looked like he was being bullied by supporters of newly-installed governor Rhodora Cadiao.

The scene where lawyer Kune Aldon forcefully snatched the microphone away from Javier’s grip was so distressing as Javier’s face suddenly turned pale like Winnie the Pooh frightened by the turn of events.

Upon realizing he was surrounded by Popeye, Bart Simpson, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Fred Flintstone and Wile E. Coyote, scared Winnie the Pooh obediently left the slaughterhouse after being whisked away by a lone aide.

Winnie the Pooh didn’t put up a resistance.

Aldon or Popeye later explained that he only grabbed back the microphone which Javier had allegedly taken away from Cadiao before the flag ceremony.

That scene where Javier allegedly grabbed the microphone from Cadiao was not seen in the video downloaded in the social media.

The incident would have been avoided if Javier only followed what ousted Laguna governor EJ Ejercito did.

Ejercito, who was also disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for campaign overspending, did not anymore wait for the writ of execution from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Javier was disqualified for illegally suspending Valderrama mayor Mary Joy Roquero before the May 2013 polls. 

Ejercito vacated the Laguna capitol after Manila mayor Erap Estrada, his uncle, convinced him to leave.

INSTALLED

Cadiao was formally installed as the new governor after the DILG and Comelec served the writ of execution on February 3, after a week of leadership tug-of-war.

Javier is not actually doomed politically.

His ouster does not disqualify him from seeking another term for governor in 2016 which is 15 months away.

If Javier decides to run again, he will be up for a possible collision course versus Cadiao, who, by that time, must have already solidified her hold among barangay officials and municipal mayors.

It remains to be seen, however, if Antiquenos will revert back to the old politics that has stalled the growth of the province by electing Javier once again.  

Javier has been in power since the post EDSA revolution.

Because of the memory and legacy left behind by his martyred brother, former governor Evelio, he cruised to an unprecedented three terms in congress.

His son, Paolo, has replaced Javier in congress.

Javier father and son have been lording over Antique politics like a dynasty.

Javier’s ouster as governor via disqualification was a bitter pill to swallow for a politician who has become a myth in his province.

Behind his mouth-watering winning streak as congressman and governor, however, was a protracted and unresolved conflict with the Pacificadors.

When Board Member Arturo “Turing” Pacificador died last month, Javier failed to put an exclamation point to their ugly political rivalry started by the late Evelio that dated back during the Martial Law years.

RIVAL

To compound the matter, Javier also had a falling out with former governor Sally Perez-Saldivar, who also became his arch-rival in Antique politics.

Despite his seeming invincibility, Javier is far from being a legend if we review the growing list of leaders in the province who have become dissatisfied and disillusioned with his brand of politics.

He is far cry from IIoilo Governor Arthur “Art” Defensor Sr., who still commands the respect of both his rivals and supporters even if he has been in politics before Martial Law.

As a former assemblyman, Defensor was already a national figure long before Boy Ex Javier became a by-word in Antique.   

Defensor also became Boy Ex’s colleague in the House of Representatives, serving the third district of Iloilo from June 30, 2001 until June 30, 2010.

When Defensor first became governor in 1992-1998, he beat future governor Neil D. Tupas, Sr. in one of the hottest gubernatorial contests in history.

Like Boy Ex, Defensor also swept his rivals and was never defeated.

The only difference is Defensor was never hated as a politician.

Instead of waging an Armageddon against Defensor, his former political rivals admired him and saluted the political paradigm shift that he has introduced in Iloilo.

Double victory for Marivic Mabilog

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” Mahatma Gandhi

By Alex P. Vidal

VICTORIA “Marivic” Griengo Mabilog has all the reason to be happy and proud.

Aside from being the wife of the world’s no. 5 city mayor, she lives in the same city where the recently proclaimed winner of the 2014 World Mayor comes from.

It’s a double victory, to say the least.

Marivic’s husband, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, landed 5^th place among the 26 finalists.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has been awarded the 2014 World Mayor Prize by the World Mayor Project.

Marivic, a senior finance officer in a Canadian private company, has been based in Calgary, Alberta for nearly two decades and goes to Iloilo City every now and then to attend important festivals and events, including family affairs.

The first lady of Iloilo City, a low profile and someone who is allergic to VIP treatment, must have rubbed elbows with Mayor Nenshi on countless occasions in Calgary in the past although she “hates it to be introduced in Canada as the wife of Jed because I am Marivic.”

Marivic, who landed 12^th in the CPA licensure exams before she met Mayor Mabilog, called her husband’s 5^th place finish “a bliss” while her normal blood pressure was “a blessing” the day she woke up to receive the World Mayor news.

VISION

Bestowed every two years to a mayor who has developed and realized a vision for urban living that is relevant to towns and cities across the world, the award was conceived in 2004.

By honoring those who have served their communities well by governing openly and honestly, and those who made significant contributions to cities nationally and internationally, the projects aims to raise the profile of mayors worldwide.

In his Facebook account, Mayor Mabilog expressed satisfaction with his fifth place win:

“Well, I think no. 5 in the whole world is not bad? Its GOOD ENOUGH. To be named among the World's top 5 is a huge honor for me, for my family, for my country, the Philippines and my city. Thank you dear people of Iloilo City for your trust and support. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! I am Iloilo, Proud to be Filipino.”

The top 10 2014 World Mayor are:

1.  Naheed Nenshi (Calgary, Canada)

2.  Daniël Termont (Ghent, Belgium)

3.  Tri Rismaharini  (Surabaya, Indonesia)

4.  Carlos Ocariz   (Sucre, Venezuela)

5.  Jed Patrick Mabilog (Iloilo City, Philippines)

6.  Albrecht Schröter (Jena, Germany)

7.  Annise Parker  (Houston, USA)

8.  Yiannis Boutaris (Thessaloniki, Greece)

9.  Giusy Nicolini  (Lampedusa, Italy)

10.    Aziz Kocaoglu  (Izmir, Turkey)

Illegal Jaro plaza vendors: Are you talking to us?

“Uncertainty is a very good thing: it's the beginning of an investigation, and the investigation should never end.”  Tim Crouch

By Alex P. Vidal

THE task of clearing the sidewalks of Jaro district plaza of illegal or ambulant vendors falls on the office of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, not with the city council.

Instead of bellyaching, city councilors should leave the matter to the city mayor’s office.

The city mayor’s office implements ordinances. 

The city council enacts them.

The city council can’t usurp the powers of the executive office, vice versa.

Councilor Joshua Alim said they will investigate reports that illegal vendors were allowed to erect stalls on the sidewalks of the plaza during the Jaro Agro-Industrial Fair after paying certain fees, which, he said, was illegal.

Only registered stalls inside the plaza were allowed and authorized to pay rental fees, etcetera.

The city councilors, receiving complaints from legitimate stall owners inside the plaza, wanted to know who's behind the racket.

Three council committees will spearhead the investigation after the February 2 district feast of Jaro's Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Alim said.

COMMITTEES

These committees are: tourism, culture and historical affairs headed by Councilor Nielex Tupas; good governance headed by Councilor Jason Gonzales; and barangay affairs and community development headed by Councilor Carlos Guarin.

What for?

Any step made by city hall authorities after the event would be moot and academic.

The “crime” has been consummated.

Illegal vendors won’t give a damn about any council investigation to be held after they have served their purposes.

They can even snub it.

When city hall first heard that illegal vendors were being allowed on the sidewalks of Jaro plaza in exchange of unauthorized fees in January, Mabilog should have ordered a team to drive them away.

The demolition should have commenced before the Jaro fiesta or the start of the agro-industrial fair.

If stalls of ambulant vendors are demolished by city hall only after the fiesta or the holding of the agro-industrial fair, city officials will look stupid.

‘THANK YOU’

Illegal stall owners will loudly tell city hall: “thank you for the free services.”

But the city mayor’s office has been mum over the furor.

It was only the city council that made a lot of noise, threatening to hold a committee investigation to determine who’s at fault.

The vendors were reportedly allowed on the sidewalks after paying P200 to the Special Services Unit of the city government for P200.

They vendors also paid P30 per light bulb to a light contractor. An organization also charged them as much as P4,000 to P5,000 per stall without any receipt.

Based on these tips, city hall should have started clamping down on these illegal vendors and the illegal transactions involving some organizers as early as last month.

The issue here is corruption. 

Somebody made money out of the presence of these eyesores within the belt line of the plaza.

While nobody from the city mayor's office is aggressive enough to identify and punish the scoundrels, some city councilors consider the issue an urgent matter.

Thus they will investigate after the smoke has disappeared.

In Tagalog, they have this popular aphorism: "Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo." (The grass is useless if the horse is dead.)