Batapa-Sigue eyes Congressional post in 2010
BACOLOD CITY -- Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Jocelle Batapa-Sigue announced last Easter Sunday that she would seek for a higher post as Lone District Representative of Bacolod City in the 2010 election.
Batapa-Sigue said that she chose to announce her decision during Easter Sunday because this symbolizes a new beginning after her deep reflection and realization.
"I chose Easter Sunday because this day symbolizes a new beginning. A beginning that will prove to the world that our city can afford to choose its leaders conscientiously, that our leaders can present themselves to the people without spending hundreds of millions to acquire a seat of power, that our leaders can be of public service without buying votes, that our people can actually demand for a transparent and accountable, responsive and humane governance from its chosen leaders," Batapa-Sigue said.
She admitted that many months ago, when several names floated to run for congressional post, she had several talks with various stakeholders like youth, urban poor, women sector and many others who believe in her advocacy.
Batapa-Sigue admitted that she has no mayoralty candidate to support because she wants to take an independent path but welcomes informal coalition with candidates that subscribe to the vision of transformative politics.
"Consistent with our track record, we shall once again take the independent path so that we are only answerable directly to the people and to God. But we shall welcome informal coalition with candidates that subscribe to the vision of the transformative politics -- which simply means bringing about good governance by upholding a clean and honest election. After all - the end which is public service, will never justify the means - which is vote-buying," Batapa-Sigue added.
Batapa-Sigue announced her decision last Sunday afternoon at the East Block Information Technology Park, more than 50 meters away from the New Government Center. "The reason why I have chosen to announce my decision in this place among other places which was considered - is the fact that this landmark is a symbol of our entry into the Philippine Cybercorridor. The block or the East Block is the first information technology park in Western Visayas that was accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority or PEZA and presidentially-proclaimed," Batapa-Sigue clarified.