Wife of top Pavia councilor cries foul over 'delinquent' tag
"I have no reasons to destroy my family's standing and reputation in the community. On the contrary, I have all the reasons to maintain my good relations because after all, they made my husband number one in the last elections. The attacks against us are most unfair."
Such were the words of Helen Belasa, wife of Pavia's number one councilor, Leonardo "Boboy" Belasa, the couple besieged by 'attacks' coursed through the media by unknown figures.
The duo was tagged as delinquent citizens of the municipality for having failed to renew the business permit and pay local dues of the family's concrete products and construction business.
Albeit a minor issue, the couple somehow was thrust into the news limelight amidst talks of the councilor's supposed bid to unseat Pavia Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta.
Insiders of Pavia affairs told The News Today (TNT) the Belasa couple stands to be the only one thus far singled out for the "delinquent" notice sent out by Municipal Treasurer Edwin Elumba.
In an interview, Helen expressed her dejection and disappointment over the turn of (mis) events even as she admits to be at a loss as to who is behind the wild rumors and why the apparent 'organized' attacks against them.
"Never in our wildest dreams that we planned nor even considered for him (Leonardo) to run as mayor. We are so contented and happy on the trust and confidence given to us in his seat at the Pavia municipal council," Helen continued. "And our business, yes, we may have failed to immediately finish our business permit renewal but since January I have personally worked on complying with all of the mandated requirements. I hope they understand that ours is only a small business and we don't have enough personnel to do our paperworks. The delays, we understand the government provides for penalties and surcharges which are all within the bounds of law and we are more than willing to pay that as a consequence of our delayed renewal. But why are we being treated like criminals now?," she asked while appealing for a stop on the unfair moves of their unseen detractors.
'But if this is the price we have to pay for public service, then I will just hang on and hope that all of this will soon be over," she ended.