Celino: ‘I don’t believe Bermejo left P300M in city’s coffers’
ROXAS CITY – City Mayor-elect Alan Celino downplayed the claim of outgoing City Mayor Vicente Bermejo that he is leaving the city government with P300 million in its coffers.
“I don’t’ believe his statement… probably he left the said amount because he cannot bring it out,” Celino said in a radio interview in reaction to Bermejo’s statement during his press conference last week.
As to the advise of Bermejo that Celino should not be dictated by few people behind him, the incoming mayor said that he does not need Bermejo’s advise.
“I don’t want his style,” Celino said adding that he agrees to be dictated by more than 33,000 stakeholders who voted for him in order to win during the May 10 election.
Celino added Bermejo knows that he was also dictated for almost 24 years since in public office, referring to the influence of the Roxases. Celino admitted that the Roxases are behind their victories.
Celino also vowed that under his administration there will no ghost and 15-30 employees. He will not also persecute city employees. “Thinkers are doers,” he added.
To recall, Bermejo said that he will turn over the city government to Celino better that what he received.
Bermejo was apparently referring to his predecessor former Mayor Antonio del Rosario, now 2nd termer 1st district congressman.
According to Bermejo, he will leave the city government with some P300 million in its coffers in which P149 million was deposited in the bank, P153 million from Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), P7.5 million from unappropriated savings from Personnel Services (PS) and P17 million calamity funds.
Bermejo also purchased several heavy equipments for the city which Celino could use them during his administration.
In reaction to Bermejo’s statement, Del Rosario said that if the debts can be called as better then, Bermejo is right.
Del Rosario referred to the loan of Bermejo on heavy equipment in the amount of some P20 million for the city.
“Kon ang utang matawag nga better he is right,” Del Rosario said in a text message.
During the press conference, Bermejo boasted that the city is financially healthy, doing more projects like lightings of the city, concreting roads, flood control, etc.
The outgoing mayor was also proud that in three years time, he only has 7 employees who became regular during his stint and decreased PS from 61% to 48% in which the legal is 45%.
He lamented that he lost despite his many projects in the city.
Celino of Liberal Party (LP) garnered votes of 33,122 while Bermejo of Ugyon Kita Capiz only got 32,431 votes with a margin of 691 votes.
