De los Reyes defends self, family anew in his first SOCA

CEBU, Philippines - The series of controversies raging against the administration of Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes took center stage during his one-hour and seven-minute State of the City Address delivered yesterday afternoon.

De los Reyes, commonly called JVR, defended himself and his family from the issues in front of city department heads, barangay leaders, academe personalities and employees who listened to his first SOCA inside the city session hall.

The mayor touched on the allegations against his sons, city administrator John Yre and Bulacao barangay councilor Clifford, who reportedly acquired vehicles for their use. "Naay mihungaw nga alegasyon nga ang akong mga anak nakaangkon og sakyanan sa pagka-mayor nako. Sa wala pa ko na-mayor, naa nami sakyanan. Dili na kwarta sa gobyerno," De los Reyes said.

According to De los Reyes, it was him who personally gave a KIA and Starex to John Yre and Clifford.

He also said he has no regret on hiring the 91 security guards as job order employees because he was able to provide jobs to the jobless. He said this on the back of graft and misconduct charges he and John Yre are facing before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for hiring a security agency allegedly without complying with procurement laws.

De los Reyes pointed out that Vicente Cabrera Jr. of Barangay Tabunok, who accused him for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, was backed up with malice.

"Gikiha ko ni Vicente Cabrera tungod lang kay wala nako siya mahatagi og job order. Ang iyang gitan-aw ang iya lang personal nga interest. Sa akong bahin, dili nako isapayan ang maong kiha gikan kanako," De los Reyes said.

The mayor has also reported his accomplishments for the past year  in the areas of infrastructure, health, education, and tourism, among other aspects. He took pride in what he claimed was a successful "Action Agad" slogan.

His achievements, according to him, include footpath distribution to 22 barangays, construction of birthing home at the barangay level, installation of public awareness on solid waste management program, installation of water level monitoring equipment and asphalting of roads, among others.

Much emphasis was also given to the city's income that reached P172.5 million from January to June this year, compared to P147.9 million in the same period of last year.

De los Reyes underscored opportunities for the poor and uplifting the lives of the Talisaynon apart from the efficient delivery of social services and assistance which can supplement the needs of the indigent and physically challenge citizenry.