BACOLOD CITY’s Mayor Albee Benitez is experiencing the so-called “crack, crick, crock” due to the three major issues plaguing his administration.
His endorsement of Punong Barangay Lady Gles Gonzales-Pallen of Taculing for president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Bacolod in an election to be held on Friday, Dec. 15 is reportedly causing a “political crack” within his local party Asenso.
Pallen, the incumbent president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, is a certified “pulahan”, being a known die-hard supporter of former mayor Bing Leonardia. Thus, many raised their eyebrows upon hearing Albee’s endorsement of her.
After filing her certificate of candidacy before the Department of Interior and Local Government in Bacolod last week, Dec.6, Pallen, ‘till this posting, remained unopposed.
Bacolod’s Lone District congressman Greg Gasataya’s stepdaughter, Punong Barangay Inday Franz Tiongko of Mansilingan, opted to run for vice president. Too, she’s unopposed.
Previously, Tiongko’s name was floated to run for president. But when the mayor said he wanted a more experienced punong barangay to lead the Liga, Tiongko reportedly shelved her ambition.
Greg refused to issue any comment. But three political analysts chorused that this is now the start of a “silent war” between Albee and Greg.
Albee and Greg ran under one political party – Asenso – in last year’s election. Thus, many perceived that after Tiongko made a landslide victory in Mansilingan in the recent barangay election, then to be the next Liga ng mga Barangay president would be “a walk in the park” for her.
Alas, something weird happened along the way?
Moreover, if not Tiongko, why not Punong Barangay Caesar Distrito of Singcang-Airport or Punong Barangay Noli Villarosa of Tangub?
Distrito was Albee’s running mate (for vice mayor) in 2022 elections while Villarosa is the most vocal fan of Mayor Albee before, during and after the 2022 elections.
The gods must be crazy with this political development.
‘Zero Billing’ No More
Next is the current brouhaha involving the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP).
On Dec. 5, the mayor asked the Sangguniang Panlungsod to make a revision on the BacCHP Ordinance.
Mayor Albee only wants P15,000 ceiling as to the fund assistance for each BacCHP beneficiary.
Beyond P15,000, it’s no longer the city’s or BacCHP’s responsibility.
Earlier, BacCHP’s main feature (as promised) was the “Zero Billing” in any hospital in Bacolod – public or private.
That promise is now gone? This could be a “crick” to those who really believed in the “zero billing” that was previously peddled to the public.
Crick, in a medical field, is defined by Oxford Languages as a stiff feeling in the neck or back.
The mayor said the city earmarked only a total of P50 million as standby fund for BacCHP this year. Such a budget is quite not enough to cover the more than 20,000 beneficiaries right now.
Question: Who were the “think tanks” of this “zero billing” that is now causing “havoc”?
‘Tears’ behind modernization
Meanwhile, the redevelopment of Manokan Country by the Sy-led SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI) is being lamented by around 141 families in Barangay 12; they face dislocation.
They’re crying and asking the city government to give them at least six months of ample preparation for their transfer to the relocation site (which is not certain yet) to be provided by the city government.
The City Legal Office (CLO) gave them a Notice to Vacate only until Jan. 8 next year.
SMPHI is “chasing time” to start its promised modernization in the area, including Barangay 12, after it paid the city P131.89 million last month as down payment for a 40-year lease contract.
The city government’s move to relocate the affected families is quite a “crock” or nonsense since the case of the squatters wasn’t referred to SMPHI for humane consideration before the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was inked so that their relocation, among other financial privileges to be availed of, will be included in the development package.
Now, the case of the 141 families is a “headache” for Barangay 12’s Punong Barangay Ely Alcantara Jr. and Mayor Albee.
Presidential Decree 772 of 1975 or the Anti-Squatting Law stressed that “Any person who, with the use of force, intimidation or threat, or taking advantage of the absence or tolerance of the landowner, succeeds in occupying or possessing the property of the latter against his will for residential commercial or any other purposes, shall be punished by an imprisonment ranging six months to one years or a fine of not less than P1,000 to more than P5,000 at the discretion of the court.”
‘Unique Wisdom’
In sum, Mayor Albee needs to weather these “crack, crick, crock” challenges.
The perceived “political crack” with Asenso party is beyond worrisome. It might force or lead Greg to run against Albee in 2025.
The promise of “zero billing” in BacCHP might also “haunt” the mayor forever and ever. This is already imprinted in the “hearts and minds” of Bacolodnons.
Barangay 12 residents who will be booted out of their place are now “shedding tears” for their “possible miserable situation” two weeks from now.
It is a must for Mayor Albee to have a “unique wisdom” in navigating these three major concerns. Or these “crack, crick, crock” turn into his nightmare./PN
