Surprising political twists

The only unpredictable aspect of politics is the sudden twist of events that can baffle observers, especially outsiders and neophytes. Of course, these are things that do not astonish me. After decades of covering politics, I already expect the twists.

And that exactly what happened in the case of Iloilo Vice Gov. Roberto Armada, who was censured last week for his prolonged absences from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s regular sessions.

SP members and the local media tried to get in touch with Armada to get his side on the issue but the vice governor, who insists that he is governor, has remained mum.

The vote was 9-3 when the board adopted the Committee on Ethics and Good Government’s report and made the move to censure Armada in last Tuesday’s regular session of the provincial board.

The eight-member joint committee ruled that Armada "merits disciplinary measures for violating Section 50b(5) of the Local Government Code of 1991 and Rule XIII of the Internal Rules of Procedures of the Provincial Board."

This suspension includes censure, reprimand or exclusion from the session for not more than 60 days or expulsion. The causes cited were disorderly conduct and absences without justifiable cause in consecutive sessions.

Armada reportedly considered the board’s action as "non-binding" or, in parliamentary parlance, "it is just an expression of disapproval." This he said in a text message to Panay News.

Armada is pinning his hopes on the Court of Appeals’ decision on the Ombudsman’s dismissal order against Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas.

Close aides and allies of Armada continue to call him governor. He was inducted into office on Jan. 15, the day Tupas was dismissed by the Ombudsman.

The Court of Appeals, however, issued a 60-day temporary restraining order on the implementation of the order.

Thus, on Jan.19, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar reinstated Tupas as governor and ordered Armada to "cease and desist from further performing the functions of the governor and relinquish the same in favor of Tupas."

Armada questioned the DILG memo. Can the DILG memo revoke his oath as governor?

That, of course, is a legal issue. But the problem is, even the board members have not yet seen the shadow of Armada at the provincial capitol.

In short, they are suspending somebody who has not even set foot yet at the Iloilo provincial capitol despite his insistence that he is the duly installed governor of the province.

Of course, that does not settle the issue of who is actually right on the issue of suspension.

Board member Domingo Oso heads the good government and human rights committee of the provincial board. The rules, ethics and accountability committee, on the other hand, is chaired by board member Rodolfo Cabado.

Those who voted to censure Armanda were Oso, Cabado, Angel Briones, Romeo Palmares, Eric Barbosa, Jeneda Salvedo, Niel Tupas Jr., Lilia Gonzales, and Cecilia Capadosa.

Acting Vice Gov. Emmanuel Gallar opposed the resolution, while board members Bernardo Silla and Macario Napulan voted against the adoption of the committee report.

Armada, however, did not appear at the hearing Monday set by the two committees. Instead, he sent lawyers Rene and Rita Sarabia to represent him.

"Never in the recorded history of the provincial capitol has there been a scenario in which the vice governor, who should be the paragon of good behavior, respect and decorum in the SP, showed blatant disregard for his responsibility and duty – all in the name of legal quandary," the committee said.

Bacolaodiat kicks off

Close on the heels of the Chinese New Year celebration, Bacolod’s Fil-Chinese community and the city government launched yesterday this year’s Bacolaodiat Festival, which ends tomorrow.

The celebration was topped by the presentation of the resolution of the Sangguniang Panglunsod to make business tycoon and former Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco an adopted son of Bacolod and adopted mayor of the city.

What made the festivities doubly significant was the attendance of People’s Republic of China Ambassador Li Jin Jun and Cebu Consul General Hon Suosheng.

The Cojuangco resolution was presented during the 10-course Lauriat sa Bacolaodiat at the St. John’s Institute Activities Center. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia presented the resolution to Cojuangco.

Crispin Chua, of the Amity Club, who chairs this year’s Bacolaodiat Festival, said it was initiated by Negrense Tsinoys as a gesture of brotherhood between the Filipino and the Chinese of Bacolod.

Aside from the usual dragon dance (110-meter long per dragon), there was the grand opening of Chinese photo exhibits, the night market and chopsticks exhibits and many other educational presentations, including culinary arts where fried rice and other Chinese dishes were among the presentations of the Chinese community at the cookfest held at the Robinson’s Foundation area.

While all these were going on, there were also last-minute preparations for the inauguration of the SM Mall at the Bacolod Reclamation Center, which will be held first week of March.

Considered one the biggest investment ventures in the city by Henry Sy, the SM Mall here promises to outdraw the already established Robinson’s and Gaisano malls here.

The opening of the SM Mall is expected to stimulate the economic growth of the city and bring more investments into the reclamation area. Actually, since the mall started operating, the area has become the top investment drawer.

Lakas’ Iloilo City slate

After breathlessly waiting for it, we finally learned yesterday that the administration ticket for Iloilo City had been drawn up, with Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr. as candidate for the lone congressional district.

This virtually leaves the door open for a Gonzalez victory since former Senate President Franklin Drilon withdrew from the race. This also leaves reelectionist Mayor Jerry Treñas as the preferred bet for the mayorship, with councilor Patrick Mabilog as his running mate.

The eight members of the ticket were Julienne Baronda, Joe Espinosa III, Armand Parcon, Eduardo Peñaredondo, Erwin Plagata, Ely Estante, Merci Drilon-Garcia, and Jeffrey Ganzon.

Punong Barangay Bobby Divinagracia and businessman Edward Yee were the new additions to the slate. The other is lawyer Tony Pesina, who will try to regain his old seat in the city council.

The Lakas caucus was held Sunday at the Iloilo Grand Hotel.

The opposition still had to name its candidate for congressman with three reportedly vying for the opposition’s imprimatur. They are former councilors Benjie Cengos, Joshua Alim, and Dan Cartagena.

Former Mayor Mansueto Malabor is reportedly eyeing a possible comeback but lacks the resources for the venture.

Malabor and the opposition were banking on Drilon to run against Gonzalez, hoping that it would lead to a confrontation between him and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr.

Drilon, however, begged off from the race, claiming that he will spend his time campaigning for the opposition’s senatorial ticket.

That, to a certain extent, deflated hopes that the opposition could mount a credible challenge, especially to Treñas and company. The latter is also president of the League of Cities.

ADDENDUM. City legal officer Alan Zamora was caught with his pants down Wednesday during an interview over Channel 14 when he insisted that no one was answering the phone at the Maryland Printer and Publishing Company in Mandaluyong City. He said he called the company several times to follow up the cost of the computer package purchased by the education department of Region VI through the countryside fund of Rep. Monico Puentevella. Eric Tenerife, spokesman of Puentevella, challenged Zamora to call the number. Right then and there, the call was made and it was answered by the secretary of Maryland. But riposted Zamora, "You must have instructed them to answer the telephone when we called this time." That was an underhanded reply that had no basis whatsoever, except to just sow doubts on the telephone number, which was answered despite Zamora’s insistence that his calls were never answered in the past. That happens often in politics. When one comes out with a dogmatic assertion, there is always a chance that one can get disowned by one’s own assertions. C’est la vie.