Toledo VM defends self on "Imeldefic tag"

CEBU, Philippines - Toledo City Vice Mayor Arlene Espinosa-Zambo defended herself from the “Imeldefic” tag and lashes back at her former political mentor.

Zambo said that the so-called “Imeldefic structures” in Toledo City that former senator John “Sonny” Osmeña has criticized are now generating so much income for the city.

Osmeña earlier accused Zambo of having an “Imeldefic aspiration” by building big edifices as memorials when she was mayor.

Osmeña and his political allies started what they call the “Alagad Medical Mission” in the mountain barangays of Toledo City saying that the people there were not given medical attention by the present administration.

“These so called Imeldefic structures have generated so much for the city,” Zambo told The FREEMAN.

Zambo believes that Osmeña was referring to the Toledo City Commercial Arcade that is now full of commercial establishments such as banks, malls and fast food outlets.

Another structure is the new Toledo City Hall which was constructed during her term as mayor.

Zambo said that since the construction of these structures, employment, upstream and downstream business opportunities, increased revenue for the city, face-lifted the city, upgraded the lives of the people and exposed the city as a tourism potential.

“We did these to be competitive with other local government units. We cannot remain to implement the old ways from old politicians because their ideas may no longer work in this modern time,” Zambo said.

Zambo said that they have their own social programs which benefit more people on a long term basis.

“We cannot continue to implement short term social projects which only last for a few hours, and in the guise of filling in the gaps of the present administration,” she said.

Zambo said that local officials of Toledo now led by his father, Mayor Aurelio Espinosa, has been conducting annual visitation to barangays under the program called “Duaw Alagad” bringing services to the people.

Osmeña earlier announced that he is running for congressman in district in the 2013 elections.  (FREEMAN)