Desperate Feat!

Expressing displeasure over mayorable Vladimir Gonzalez’ press statement dated January 18, 2010 which I submitted for information to Sangguniang Panlungsod during the last January 20, 2010 session, my colleague Councilor Alex Paglomutan reacted peevishly to Gonzales’ words "Katig-a galing sang mga ulo (stubborn) and I cannot understand why this administration becomes a violator of the law."

I even recalled my fellow SP members ranting over Gonzalez’ press statement, which I retorted back to them as a bunch of so-called desperate political "grave diggers" and quoting: Happy people are those who continuously evaluate and improve themselves while desperate and unhappy people are those who continuously evaluate others.

In moments of despair, these political grave diggers, unable to find skeleton which they believe could unravel their opponent’s closet would resort to deception, falsehood, lies and innuendos from a glib of tongue and actuate the idle minds who in turn peddle the same as a commodity to the uninformed crowd relying on hearsay. The odor of the dumpsite (Yes, the Felisa Dumpsite), approximates the filth of these politicians. I am saddened that only a few political leaders now wrap themselves with virtues. They are treacherous in private life and hypocrites in public life. The people are puzzled whether they have abandoned good principles or whether they have none at all. Paglumotan shared his opinion with Councilors Al Victor Espino and Homer Bais that I should be responsible in Gonzalez’ statement being a signatory to its submission and even hurled specific accusation against me as violator of the law instead of the administration.

Why must they force me to admit a statement which is not mine? The press statement submitted by Gonzalez was filed and signed by me for inclusion in the SP agenda. Clearly, it was not my statement.

What the Vice Mayor could have done is to accept and noted it with no further discussion or submit it before the Committee Chairman on Good Governance for appropriate action if needed.

Paglumotan also proposed a resolution to "censure" me for alleged violation of the law, namely, the "use" of Pagcor funds to pay my radio program over DYRL and the construction, operation and maintenance of Sun Cellular Antennae at my residence in Barangay Villamonte.

In a letter to Mayor Evelio Leonardia, the Commission on Audit (COA) report dated October 6, 2009; my disbursement voucher of P9,200 due to DYRL airtime did not pass pre-auditing.

To which I clarified, since it did not pass COA’s pre-audit procedure, DYRL was PERSONALLY paid in cash under DYRL Official Receipt No. 37661 dated May 25, 2009, Official Receipt 37689 dated June 23, 2009 and Official Receipt 37709 dated July 20, 2009.

I believe Councilor Paglumotan knows how to read COA’s written remarks that the transaction was paid in cash by me and not yet paid by Pagcor.

I lament that these administration allies Grupo-Progreso councilors never show any remorse on millions worth of transactions clearly "disallowed" and ordered to settle immediately by COA, among the recent ones are the New Government Center north and south peripheral roads. Unfortunately, Paglumotan’s accusation on the Sun Cellular antennae installation issue was thrown back to him when I showed the SP resolution where his signature was also affixed, together with the Barangay Villamonte approval and Environment and Natural Resources Office clearance.

And because I stood by the truth, Paglumotan withdrew his resolution to censure me on that very moment.

(Sgd) HON. WILSON "JUN" C. GAMBOA, JR.

Councilor, Bacolod City