Sidelights and notes on Tupas SOPA
History was recorded anew in yesterday’s State of the Province Address (SOPA) of Governor Niel Tupas Sr.
His eight and second to the last as governor of Iloilo, the following were noted by observers:
- 2009 SOPA had the least number of attendance of Iloilo mayors with only five present headed by the Governor’s son, Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul Tupas.
- 2009 SOPA had the least number of kibitzers and spectators.
- 50 extra plastic chairs placed inside the session hall were not fully occupied with the session hall noticeably not jampacked if compared to previous years.
“Damo gid sang una..ambot nga-a diutay lang subong ah,” said an employee assigned to take care of the venue physical arrangement.
- Significant ‘half-baked applause heard. A longtime Capitol employee was taking notes and showed his final verdict: - 8 instances of applause with the other one done in solo by top aide Manuel Mejorada
- Yesterday saw full television coverage, more “hi-tech” than previous years with a full-set up from Sky Cable crew.
- The first lady, Myrna Tupas scored high on Capitol fashionistas with her super yellow gown.”
“Same style from last year but different color…angayan man si Maam bisan yellow gid katama ah. Sobra pa kay Tita Cory,” said another die-hard employee.
And what did the members of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) think about all of it?
“The governor’s SOPA? Very good newscasting,” came the quick reply of First District Board Member Richard Garin.
“Obviously, Governor Tupas brought his own crowd..did you notice? People were not as enthusiastic!,” Vice Governor Rolex Suplico for his part said.
“From a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest…I give him 8,” said Fifth District Board Member Jesus Salcedo.
“Not substantial,” remarked Board Member Cecilia Colada. “Daw kakulang man to..”
Interestingly enough, exact same words from First District Board Member Macario Napulan whose immediate comment was, “…not substantial….I was expecting more….”
And the call to stop partisan politics?
Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr. said, “That part is very well taken…but let me add that in as far as my position is concerned, our acts here in the Sanggunian was never partisan politics..we decided as a body on what is right and just…”
Tupas allies in the Sanggunian left immediately after the session adjourned thus leaving only the majority group behind to grant interviews with the Capitol press.