Mayor clarifies claims on Salimbangon projects

CEBU, Philippines – San Remigio Mayor Mariano “Mar” Martinez clarified that his administration is not accepting projects from fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon as these projects are only given through the congressman’s allies, which he referred to as the “opposition” group in his town.

His clarification came amidst reports that his administration is accepting projects from Salimbangon which is being interpreted by some that he already shifted allegiance to the congressman.

Reports had it that what Mariano showed was opposite to what his cousin, Bogo City mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez’s refusal to accept the offer of Salimbangon for financial assistance to their projects that are affected by the downgrading of its cityhood status back to town.

Mariano said that projects such as multicabs and medical assistance are coursed through by Salimbangon to his barangay leaders and not to the municipal officials. The congressman allegedly has only one ally, councilor Jay Olivar, in the town council.

However, Salimbangon denied that his projects are only given to his allies, saying the barangay captains who accepted the multicabs are mostly allied with the Martinezes.

Of the 27 barangays, only two barangay captains allied with Salimbangon won in the last October 2007 barangay elections while there are already 23 barangay captains who have accepted the multicabs to date.

Mariano said that he just tolerated his barangay captains in accepting Salimbangon’s projects since these are funded through people’s money.

Meanwhile, Mariano said that during the recent Lapyahan Festival in San Remigio, the presence of Salimbangon on stage and the event itself were apolitical.

The mayor clarified that he did not personally invited Salimbangon to grace the affair and it was apparently Olivar who invited the congressman because they are allies.

He said that when he, his son Miguel, who is the executive committee president of the affair, and cousin Vice Mayor Niño Martinez Bascon, addressed Salimbangon as “congressman” in their speeches, it has nothing to do with politics and it was only because they are friends for a long time.

It was reported that Salimbangon has given P10,000 each of the five contingents that joined the Lapyahan Festival.

But the mayor said that the financial assistance was not properly acknowledged on stage because they didn’t know it in the first place. — Gregg M. Rubio/WAB (THE FREEMAN)