ABC prexy: A three-cornered fight
The forthcoming Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) election is not only limited to a two-cornered fight. A new “independent bloc” has been formed to challenge the leadership of incumbent ABC president Philip Zafra, a Barug-PDP Laban ally, and his closest rival, Kasambagan Barangay Captain-elect Franklin Ong, a Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK)-endorsed candidate.
I already have the name of the leader of this “independent bloc” but I am not at liberty to divulge it as of this time. Both the BOPK and Barug PDP Laban are alarmed by this newly organized bloc. Based on the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, majority of the barangay captains who won are allied with the BOPK. If the ABC election is only limited to Zafra and Ong, for sure, Ong will definitely win.
But with formation of this new group, which is composed mostly of newly elected barangay captains who will try not to engage in partisan politics, it will be a free-for-all. “The ABC should remain non-partisan. We already got tired of being used by political groups. We cannot get projects from City Hall if we are identified with the opposition. We are always under the mercy of some politicians. I think its high time that we should assert our independence, especially our participation in the council,” a member of the bloc who requested anonymity told this columnist.
Another source, who is identified with the administration, said he is willing to gamble his affiliation with the administration in exchange for a “true and meaningful change” in the ABC. He admitted that he likes the BOPK leadership, but he does not personally like Ong, who is doing business at City Hall. Anyway, he said, the voting will be done through secret balloting. Asked what will happen if he is identified and the BOPK leadership will run after him considering that its leader is very vindictive, he answered, “I’ll cross the bridge when I reach there.”
The ABC president will sit as an ex-officio member in the council. His/her election is very important because both the administration and opposition numbers in the council are equal. If BOPK gets the ABC presidency, the group will become the majority, which is very important for the “former political has-been” so that his legislative and personal agenda will be supported.
Well, let us see if this new bloc can spoil the strategies of both BOPK and Barug PDP Laban in the forthcoming ABC election. After the SK federation election where a BOPK ally won, members of the opposition are not raising their hands yet and saying “surrender” because they still have a chance that Zafra will be reelected and retain his position. Abangan!
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I suggest that the “former political has-been” should consult some of his consultants on matters outside of his jurisdiction before he opens his mouth. He repeatedly said that he will revive the filing of the measure in the council once he gets the majority members on the proposed Joint-Venture Agreement offered by the Gokongwei’s company to develop Kawit Island at the South Road Properties. His minion, Councilor Jun Gabuya, the main proponent, also echoed the same.
But opposition Councilor Joey Daluz III, who is a lawyer, said that measures (meaning resolutions and ordinances), which have been rejected by the council cannot be easily revived by those who voted in favor of the measure. It can only be revived if one of those who voted against it will be the one to propose for further deliberations. Or if the legislative body can get two-third votes, which is very impossible in the present setup.
Dili unta siya magpataka ug buka sa iyang baba kay wala siyay kalibutan sa mga lagda sa konsiho. Apil si Jun Gabuya, walay kalibutan sa ilang mga lagda nga konsihal man unta siya. Pagkatoytoy!