MAYOR Eric C. Codilla urged Ormocanons to give Richard Gomez a chance to express his plans for the city after the actor declared his intention to run for mayor. The chief executive said running for public office is a right of Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez’s husband whom he refers to as “a stranger in Ormoc.”
On the reason for Gomez’s candidacy, Mayor Codilla could only surmise that the actor might think he’s smarter and superior than Ormocanons. “Maminaw lang ta niya kung unsay ika-offer niya natong Ormocanon. Kung naay estrangherong muanhi nato, maminaw ta unsa bay iyang ikaalagad. Iyang gikita tingali nga mas kahibaw siya kaysa natong mga taga-Ormoc,” he said.
On the other hand, Mayor Codilla warns his constituents in the barangays to be wary of the tricks of his political opponents to draw their sympathy. He received reports that campaign coordinators have been organizing households in the grassroots level with the promise of loans of P10,000-20,000.
They will be gathered for regular “meetings” which the recruits will join in the hope of availing the loan. In reality, only one or two members will be loaned money to spread the word that the loan assistance is true. But simple math will show that the so-called assistance is a scam, Mayor Codilla said.
Lending P10,000 each to 80 families in a single barangay will cost P80,000 and P8 million in 10 barangays. This will reach P80 million if given to at least 100 barangays all over 4th District which is impossible, Mayor Codilla explained, because the Priority Development Fund of congressmen is only P70 million annually.
At least the loan assistance extended by the City Social Welfare and Development Office is real, Mayor Codilla added, referring to the Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran wherein an individual can borrow P5,000 interest-free which can be doubled the next time upon full payment of the original loan.
Another deception by his detractors which Mayor Codilla exposed is bribing tricycle drivers to discredit him to their passengers. He said tricycle passengers shouldn’t be surprised to hear drivers speak ill of him as they were paid to do so. “Ila intawon linggahon ang mga tawo,” he said.
He further dismissed survey claims showing that Gomez is leading among other probable mayoralty bets. He recalled similar surveys before the 2010 election showing that he and his party will lose. What happened was the opposite as Mayor Codilla, his vice mayor and majority of his councilors occupied City Hall.
(West Leyte Weekly Express issue of May 14-20, 2012)
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