2010 polls to bring back old issues in Iloilo City
Father and son tandem Raul Gonzalez Sr. and Raul Gonzalez Jr. show their certificates of candidacy for city mayor and congressman of Iloilo City, respectively, under the Lakas-CMD-Kampi banner.The political battle has begun. Immediately after filing his certificate of candidacy, Lakas-CMD-Kampi mayoralty candidate for Iloilo City Raul Gonzalez Sr. slammed the administration of his erstwhile ally Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Among the issues he raised against the outgoing mayor are the construction of the new city hall, multi-million Pavia housing project and accounting of foreign funds received by the city government when Typhoon Frank hit Iloilo.
The elder Gonzalez lamented that during his nine years stay as city mayor, Treñas failed to give priority to the putting up of a new city hall. Gonzalez said, if gets elected to the mayoral post he will make sure that Iloilo City will have its very own modern city hall. “It is hard to understand that Iloilo City could not have its own city hall building,” he said.
Gonzalez also questioned on who made money out of the materials taken from the demolished old city hall. “The residue was not fully accounted. The galvanized iron, iron rebars and even lavatory materials were not accounted,” Gonzalez said.
In Manila, demolition of buildings is a good business. The materials gathered from a demolished building is sold to second hand dealers, added Gonzalez.
The former DOJ chief added he will also make sure the hanging issue on the Pavia housing project would be resolved by his administration. The foreign donations to the city after the Typhoon Frank must be accounted too, Gonzalez said.
The father and son tandem were accompanied by their vice mayoral bet and 12 candidates for councilors when they filed their certificates of candidacy yesterday. The Lakas-CMD-Kampi candidate for vice mayor is Councilor Antonio Pesina.
Of the 12 candidates for councilors, three are incumbents, others are new faces and the rest are returning candidates who have yet to win in the election. The incumbent councilors who are with the Gonzalez group are Eldrid Antiquiera, Ely Estante and Jeffrey Ganzon.
The new faces are Engr. Mike Chin, ABC Mandurriao President Ricky Mendoza, Jose Marie De la Llana, Tantin Abellar, Ernesto Jardeleza and broadcaster Salvador “Jun” Capulot. Chin became controversial after his confirmation as City Engineer’s Office (CEO) chief was junked by the legislative body recently.
The candidates who ran in previous elections and trying their luck for the May 2010 elections are Atty. Eugenio Original, Pax Ngo and Bom-bing Coo. Original ran in various elective positions in the city and province of Iloilo for several times but lost.
