CEBU, Philippines — Kalunasan barangay captain Carlitos Ceniza has turned down his appointment as Assistant Secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to continue serving his constituents and to protect his supporters from being eased out by his would-be successor.
Although he has already expressed his decision to decline the appointment, Ceniza said he is still waiting for the final decision from Malacañang. Ceniza was among the officials appointed to different positions by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on June 24.
Ceniza admitted that the appointment did not come as a surprise because he serves as the vice president for the Visayas of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, which is chaired by the president himself.
“I thought it will come out last year before the election (barangay), but it came out late,” Ceniza said.
Had the appointment came earlier, Ceniza said would have easily grabbed the opportunity to serve more people. Now that he was elected barangay captain, Ceniza said it would be difficult for him to leave his people.
“Karon, nasakripisyo na mga tawo, maglisod gyud ko…Mao ni akong giingon nila, tingog sa katawhan, maoy tingog sa kahitas-an ako lang silang gisunod,” Ceniza said.
“Actually, nananghid ko sa Manila, dili ko malahos…luoy kaayo mga tawo diri, gi bully…Lain na’ng mosunod, tang-tangon tanan, gubot kayo…Dili nako ma take ilang pag-antos ba,” Ceniza added.
For now, Ceniza said he intends to continue serving as barangay captain of Kalunasan and as vice president of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) Cebu City Chapter.
“I’m still the VP of the Partido Federal, dili na mawa nako…naa gihapon ko mu-serve…But in as far as sa position (offered to him), maglisod gyud ko tungod sa mga tawo nato…I know for sure, they would understand kay para ra pud ni sa partido,” Ceniza said. – /FPL (FREEMAN)