‘What is wrong with asking?,’ Subong asks amidst ouster plot
Liga prexy seeks deeper look into multi-million deals pushed by mayor
Since when did it become a crime to ask? And while at it, since when did it become a bigger crime to ask and delve deeper into planned multi-million government deals?
Such were the questions raised by Councilor Wilfredo Subong, president of the Santa Barbara Association of Barangay Captains and ex-officio member of the town council.
Now subject of widespread black propaganda and signature campaign for his ouster, Subong in a press conference addressed the issue.
“What is wrong with asking?,” he began. “As far as I’m concerned, I owe it to the people and my fellow punong barangays to fully know where the government’s money will go. It is not true that I am opposing it for no reason at all. On the contrary, the millions in proposed funding are more than enough reason for me to ask. And there is due process in as far as seeking the release of public funds is concerned. The same way that if they want me removed from office, they will also go through due process.”
Subong along with three other town councilors and the town’s vice mayor were subjected to a concerted effort discrediting them to the community.
“I am not saying that there are anomalies here. What we are simply doing is ask for more documents that will justify the request for release of public funds and authority that the mayor wanted to use those funds. What is wrong with that?,” he continued. “We need to be clarified and the people of Santa Barbara have to know as well. That is well within our rights to demand that.”
Sentiments echoed by Councilor Juan Senupe, chair of the town council’s Committee on Legal Matters. A lawyer by profession, Senupe decried insinuations that he was out to deprive townmates of benefits due them.
Incidentally, Senupe belongs to neither the mayor’s camp nor the vice mayor having been voted into public office as independent candidate.
His actions, he stressed, were well within his duties and responsibilities, mindful what he has been entrusted as member of the council.
Councilor Rema Somo also came and aired her reaction after having been named as among the town’s “bad guys.”
The trio was named as oppositors of the P7.8 million supplemental budget sought by Mayor Isabelo Maquino. With them in the list were Councilor Remegio Gumban and Vice Mayor Rodulfo Delgado Jr.