Sidelight on the PCL elections
Tuesday's elections of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) here dubbed as the "Battle of the widows" was most eventful, thanks (or no thanks) to hecklers in the exclusive crowd of honorable men and women of Iloilo. And that unplanned "confrontation" of now PCL president, Celia Colada with another Celia, former Second District Board Member Celia Capadosa.
The News Today (TNT) in a report gathered how the candidates' forum was marked with cheers and jeers coming from the over 400 councilors present. And at one point, the face-off of the two Celias, the former board member shooed out of the room for being a gatecrasher.
Gonzales in her reelection bid speech said in jest how the battle should really be on who is more beautiful. Colada in her turn remarked how she has been wondering for days why about ten people already asked if she is good in ballroom dancing. Or if the reason she decided to run for PCL president is because like Gonzales, she is also good in ballroom dancing.
Asked anew yesterday, Colada remarked, "no. I am not really into ballroom dancing. But I don't see how it will affect my conduct as PCL president."
Bombo Radyo reporter Joven Barranco said hecklers openly booed Colada in the midst of her speech. A certain Councilor Alones from the Municipality of Alimodian was seen to have walked out and caused a scene with unwelcomed remarks made and heard by a number of councilors present.
Alones got the ire of a councilor from Janiuay who was sympathetic to Colada and reportedly issued a challenge for a duel. Cooler heads prevailed.
Then more hecklers from councilors said to be loyalists of Gonzales.
Gonzales for her part while convincing the league why she is the better candidate had to briefly stop in the midst of her emotional spiels. A sudden bang of what was believed to be the aluminum covering of the chafing dish made a loud noise followed by a number of councilors yelling, "sika!!," as if shooing away a cat. Then burst of laughter was heard.
At the end of Gonzales' speech, a thundering applause came that elicited a happy remark, "daug na ko ni. Damo nagpalakpak!" (I will definitely win. A lot of them clapped).
Meantime, Colada confirmed to TNT her 'face-off' with Capadosa. Colada explained that she was highly disturbed by the table-hopping of Capadosa.
Colada added that she felt humiliated by Capadosa's actions particularly since no non-councilors were allowed inside the PCL affair.
Her ire increased when she personally overheard Capadosa telling councilors present, "I'm not a candidate but I'm here to campaign for Lilia Gonzales."
Colada said she then went to Capadosa and said, "Please get out of the premises. You are not a councilor. You are not supposed to campaign. You are not supposed to be here."
She also added that because of Capadosa's disrespect of the proceedings, she remarked, "indi ka gani kapadaug sang lawas mo, mangampanya ka pa diri."(You cannot even make yourself win, now you will campaign here)
At least five councilors reached by reporters present said they too felt slighted by "show" put up by Capadosa.
"Tak-an kami. Imbes Gonzales pa ang amon tani botohon, si Colada na lang," the group said in jest.