It's for real: Jamora, Malabor ties severed
Jamora
Now it can be told. Former allies Lorenzo "Larry" Jamora, administrator of Local Waterworks and Utilities Administration (LWUA), and ex-City Mayor Mansueto Malabor have severed their ties.
Jamora confirmed in an interview with Bombo Radyo over the weekend that he will be supporting Mayor Jerry Treñas and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez in next year's election.
It was not, however, clear what caused the defection of Jamora to Treñas' and Gonzalez's camp.
Jamora supported Malabor's bid for congressman of the city in 2004. He was considered a staunch supporter of Malabor during the latter's three terms as city mayor.
In the interview, Jamora said that Treñas is fit to be reelected as mayor of the city having brought remarkable development and reforms during his two year term.
Reacting on Malabor's plan to run again for city mayor, Jamora said there is no more reason for him to be back as mayor, a position he held for 15 years. "Ano pa ang balikan nya?" he said.
Jamora said his erstwhile friend Malabor is already ageing so it would already be difficult for him to run the affairs of the city if ever he becomes reelected as mayor.
Jamora said he has nothing against Malabor but the city should race against time and regain the title as Queen City of the South.
"We should put aside our personal differences as we are only after for the development of the city," he said.
In his fearless forecast, Treñas will still win against Malabor in next year's election.
He said, he is saddened whenever he visits some of the cities in the Philippines which are now more progressive than Iloilo. "The city is the center of culture and education and yet is lagging behind other cities," Jamora said, adding, "the city has no city hall of its own and the roads are still the same years ago."
Jamora also said that he will not join any political race in the city next year.
The Ilonggo official will formally assume as administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on November 30, 2006 vice Administrator Orlando Ondrade. Though, he will be out at the LWUA, he assured that projects intended for Iloilo or the entire Western Visayas will continue.