Ganzon, Zulueta heat up radio airwaves
Zulueta
Expect fiery sessions at the Sangguniang Panlungsod starting next week after reelected Councilors Jeffrey Ganzon and Perla Zulueta traded barbs over the airlanes late night Wednesday in Jun-Jun Sornito's Aksyon Night Patrol program over Aksyon Radyo Iloilo.
Observers say, the mudslinging that took place between the two signals another chaotic city council.
The heated argument between Ganzon and Zulueta started when Ganzon was interviewed over his alleged plan to jump ship to the opposition if he could not get the chairmanship for the committee on ways and means, a major committee at the City Council. The same committee is now being chaired by Zulueta.
Ganzon clarified that he has no plans to join the opposition group as he has good relations with Mayor Jerry Treñas, Representative Raul Gonzalez Jr. and vice mayor-elect Jed Mabilog. He, however said that he really wanted to get the chairmanship to realize his "absolute free education" program for poor students. And, he is sure that his partymates will give him the chairmanship considering that they are in the majority.
Ganzon
Currently, Ganzon is chairman of committee on urban poor and markets and slaughterhouse. He explained that if he gets the chairmanship for the committee on ways and means, he can institute changes and increase the franchise tax in Iloilo City.
In the course of the interview, Ganzon said that he also wanted to increase the allowances of teachers and policemen last 2005. However, he claimed, Councilor Zulueta opposed his plan for an increase in the allowances of teachers and policemen.
Few minutes after Ganzon put down the telephone, Zulueta called up to rebut Ganzon's statement. Zulueta said she did not oppose any plans to increase the allowances for teachers and policemen. The allowances for teachers and allowances are under the executive budget and it is Mayor Treñas who do the budgeting for the allowances. She assured that she will deal with Ganzon in the next sessions of the city council.
Zulueta explained that the Local Tax Ordinance is not done in piece meal basis. It is contained in one book. The local tax ordinance identifies the source of city taxes and the corresponding rate of taxes imposed in every business entity or corporations doing business in Iloilo City.
Furios, Zulueta said Ganzon is dreaming. She even threatened to file a case against Ganzon before the Ombudsman. Zulueta, in local dialect, called Ganzon as "litik, nadalman, may diperensya."
Zulueta said by all means, Ganzon can get the chairmanship, that is if his party mates will give it to him. She said Ganzon is a "laughing stock" at the city council and she is not even sure if his party mates under the USWAG-Lakas-CMD will give the chairmanship to him.
She also said that they will not accept Ganzon to join the opposition as he needs to undergo "neuro-psychiatric test." Zulueta also described Ganzon as "ingrato, sobra ka tonto and disrespectful to his father, late Senator Rodolfo Ganzon.
Hearing Zulueta's tirades, Ganzon again called up the radio station to retort on Zulueta's statements. He described Zulueta as "uncivilized" person adding, she should go back to the town of Cabatuan where the lady councilor hails. He said there is a need to strengthen the education system because of Zulueta's actuations.
He also compared Zulueta's attitude as that of a "prostitute." Ganzon said prostitutes are "bastos" and has bad manners. Ganzon also said Vice Mayor Guillermo de la Llana should discipline Zulueta as she manifests an unruly behavior like an insane person.
Ganzon also defended himself saying that what he has presented in the council as resolutions and ordinances are all "original."
Zulueta in a press release said: "Frankly, at first I can't understand why he is doing this. Tapos naman ang eleksyon [The election is over], why would he need to destroy my person? And please, modesty aside, I have a doctorate in Education and a master's degree in Nursing. What has he to show? He hasn't even passed the Bar after several tries!"
"He also called me manol [greenhorn] and told me to go home to Cabatuan. He should be careful with what he is saying. He should remember that the soon-to-open New Iloilo Airport is in Cabatuan. He might have to board ships in going to Manila for Cabatuananons wouldn't take his insults sitting down," the fiery lady legislator further quipped.