CEBU, Philippines – Not all the Martinezes are spurning the aid offered by Cebu 4th District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.
If Bogo town mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. is not taking anything from Salimbangon, San Remegio Mayor Mariano “Mar” Martinez has no problem with accepting any assistance.
Martinez, his son Miguel, and Vice-Mayor Nino Martinez Bascon addressed Salimbangon as “congressman” in their speeches during the staging of the second Lapyahan Festival last Saturday.
Earlier last Wednesday Salimbangon distributed multicabs to barangays Batad, Dapdap, Takop, Lawis, Bangcasan and Tambongon, bringing the number of barangays he has given multicabs to 23 out of the 27 barangays in the town.
It was reported that Junie and other town officials refused Salimbangon’s offer of financial assistance for their projects after Bogo’s cityhood was rescinded by the Supreme Court along with the Naga and Carcar.
The congressman said that he is willing to allocate funds from his Priority Development Assistance Fund to help the projects of Bogo especially since their Internal Revenue Allotment shall be decreased.
Bogo’s IRA will go back to P70 million from the P160 million it was receiving as a city.
Salimbangon and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia graced the Lapyahan Festival held at the town’s plaza last Saturday.
Also present during the Lapyahan Festival were former Bogo vice mayor Nilda Martinez, the mother of Junie; Bascon’s mother Malou who is the sister of Junie and Mar’s wife Ada.
Junie, his wife former Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez and their son former Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, who was defeated by Salimbangon in the last elections, were not present.
The two Martinez mayors are cousins while Bascon is a nephew of Junie. — Gregg M. Rubio/BRP (THE FREEMAN)