Wake-uppers:
Scene: Families were worried for the missing of the three village chiefs in Pilar town last week. Police had deployed a large number of officers to investigate the disappearance. It turned out that these men attended a “party” in Tagbilaran City. Pilar Police Station chief Inspector Andie Corpuz said “they were not kidnapped. They had drinking session with friends that they were not able to inform their families.” However, some people believed it was a “kidnapped me” scenario.
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| Panglao Mayor Pedro Fuertes vows to make Panglao a liveable place, a better, cleaner and safer destination in the country. Leo Udtohan |
Scene: Panglao Mayor Pedro Fuertes on the news that erstwhile and dismissed Panglao Mayor Leonila Paredes-Montero will be reinstated as mayor was “fake news.” However, the camp of Montero told reporters to watch for (big) surprises this week. Fuertes instead focused on many things for the development of Panglao, the tourism jewel of the province. “Let us work together to make Panglao a liveable place, a better, cleaner and safer destination that we can all be proud of.”
Scene: Asked what her birthday message was, Dauis Mayor Marietta (“Miriam” to all) Sumaylo said, “Prosperity. Peace! Love! Harmony! Good health to everybody.” She celebrated her birthday last July 4. When asked about her plan for the 2019 election, “I will continue to serve the people of Dauis.” She simply flashed a smile so sweet that it seemed to say everything.
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Supporters of Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go gathered at Holy Name University (HNU) on Saturday, July 7, to launch “Bayan for Bong Go” Bohol Movement which aims to encourage the loyal presidential assistant to run for a Senate seat in 2019.
It was attended by mayors, barangay and SK officials and volunteers from the different parts of the province.
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| The dashing Dauis Mayor Marietta Sumaylo is a pleasant surprise. Leo Udtohan |
The mayors who attended the movement were Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap, Clarin Mayor Allen Ray Piezas, Cortes Mayor Lynn Iven Lim, Dauis Mayor Marietta Sumaylo, Trinidad Mayor Judith Cajes, Talibon Mayor Restituto B. Auxtero, Dagohoy Mayor Sofronio Apat, Panglao Mayor Pedro Fuertes, Garcia Hernandez Mayor Tita Gallentes, Calape Mayor Nelson Yu, Lila Mayor Regina Salazar, Sagbayan Mayor Ricardo Suarez, Pilar Mayor Eugenio Buslon Datahan II, Tubigon Mayor William Jao, Candijay Mayor Christopher Bernados Tutor, Antequera Mayor Jose Mario Pahang and Alicia Mayor Marnilou Ayuban.
Also present were former Loay Mayor Rosemarie Lim-Imboy and former Loboc Leon Calipusan.
Businessman Lucio Lim, Jr., the movement’s chairperson, said they have seen Go’s potential to run in the 2019 mid-term elections.
“We are calling SAP Bong Go to run for senator. Here in Bohol, the members of business sector want him to run. He comes from a family of businessmen. He is very approachable, (and) humble,” he said.
Lim said that being the President’s direct link to the people, Go vows to continue the President’s campaign against illegal drugs and criminality, corruption and support his anti-poverty efforts.
“Bong Ro represents change. It gave us hope that the legacy of President Duterte may continue through SAP Bong Go in the Senate,” Lim said.
Go was not able to attend the launching as he was with the President. Nevertheless, Assistant Secretary Mon Cualoping of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and DILG Assistant Secretary for Legislative and External Affairs Ricojudge "RJ" Echiverri, former two-term president of the National Liga ng mg Barangay, represented him and conveyed his message to his supporters.
Go earlier told reporters that he is still contemplating as to whether or not he would consider the offer to run in the senatorial race. He said he was committed to serving the President “until kingdom come.”
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Supporters of Special Assistant to the President Bong Go have launched the “Bayan for Bong Go” movement in Bohol aimed at convincing him to run for senator in the 2019 elections. Leo Udtohan
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A ‘brief’ visit by Villar
Public Works and Highways secretary Mark Villar arrived in Bohol last Thursday, July 5, seven days after President Rodrigo Duterte assured Boholanos that he would instruct Villar to check the on-going projects.
Villar visited Barangay Anislag in Maribojoc town where he was updated on the repair of certain roads and bridges which were damaged by the strong 2013 earthquake.
He stayed briefly at the site for about 30 minutes with provincial and local officials.
Villar was informed by Bohol reporters about the concerns of many residents in several towns in Bohol who clamored for an explanation from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)regarding some repair works done in roads that seem to be still in good condition.
DPWH regional director Ador Canlas answered that there were 12-on going road construction projects in the province which was affected by the 2013 strong earthquake. He said the funds were just released this year for reblocking, restoration and rehabilitation.
Villar said he would personally look into “questionable” projects in the province.
“Lahat po ng pangangailan po ng infrastructure ay mabibigyan ng pansin,” assured Villar.
During the 25th national convention of the Vice-Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) in Panglao, Duterte was asked during the presscon about the on-going road re-blocking project of the DPWH in Bohol that generated public outcry.
Duterte, who admitted that he is not a technical person to explain about the road project, said that he would ask Villar to come to Bohol.
“I will ask DPWH Secretary Villar to come over and explain to the people para ma... Anyway, it's the people's money. So they should... They deserve rather an explanation from the government.”
Provincial board member Thomas Abapo earlier said that on-going re-blocking projects on roads in the province that many even considered as not damaged at all, was a waste of funds.
Abapo expressed his disgust over the projects that apparently caused too much delay, inconvenience and accident to the riding public and motorists.
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