Osmeña’s bet unopposed in Toledo City ABC polls

CEBU, Philippines — The barangay captains of Toledo City have picked Mayor John Henry Osmeña’s bet for president of the Association of Barangay Council during yesterday’s election.

Cabitoonan Barangay Captain Ophelio Dolino ran unopposed after Magdugo Barangay Captain Walter Lao withdrew his candidacy just after they were both given five minutes to address the group.

Of the 38 barangay captains, only one was absent and 30 of them are reportedly allied with Osmeña.

During his speech, Lao challenged Dolino to keep from being leashed by Osmeña. Lao is set to run for mayor against Osmeña next year.

“Uyon ko sa plataporma ni Dolino nga kaayuhan sa lungsod, di lang unta gawngan sa mayor,” he said.

Lao hit Osmeña over the cancellation of the funding of several projects identified in 2015 to 2017 amounting to P56.6 million and diverted it to another projects just before the new sets of barangay officials have assumed into office on July 1.

The biggest chunk of the appropriation is the P23.4 million for the Sapangdaku repair, rehabilitation and rechanneling followed by the P10 million for barangay waterworks program.

Lao distributed to the barangay captains copy of the City Development Council (CDC) Executive Committee Resolution No. 2018-002 dated June 29, 2018 approving the cancellation of certain projects under the 20 percent Development Fund of prior years, recommending realignment and reversion of their appropriation and inclusions of certain projects and budget as supplement to the Annual Investment Program for CY 2018.

The CDC Execom also approved the P428.7-million project as supplement to the AIP for 2018 which include the P157 million water projects, P150 million purchase of engineering equipment; P30 million senior citizens welfare fund; P26 million drainage system construction, and others.

Lao questioned why only the Execom approved such huge amount of projects and the barangay captains were not given the chance to present their needs.

The CDC Execom is composed of Councilor Marjorie Perales, outgoing ABC president Dario Surig and Virgilio Fortich, who represented the non-government organization.

Meanwhile, Provincial Board ex-officio Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III was also re-elected as ABC president unopposed in Bogo City.

Martinez is seeking re-election in the PB post while Poblacion, Samboan Barangay Captain Raymond Calderon and Curva, Medellin Barangay Captain Edwin Salimbangon are also interested of the same post. (FREEMAN)