By The Bohol Chronicle
Three former city mayors stood as one to rally on Tagbilaranons to save the city that appears to be "under siege."
The "elders of the city" issued their joint statement yesterday as they expressed alarm on how the cross-section
of the community gets intimidated while election is forthcoming.
The call sounded for the people "not to surrender their right of free choice while asking the electorate "not to be seduced by money nor get intimidated with guns and goons" especially on election day.
The former city mayors, Rolando Butalid, Jose Ma. Rocha and Joe Torralba were unanimous in their observation that the city has lost all sense of "check and balance - essential for any democracy to function."
They cited the city legislature as a mere stump pad while the city police force and the judiciary are both "wanting of independence" in order for the city residents to live under the "rule of law and not of men."
Calling their joint statement as "Saving The City We Help Build," the three former city executives stressed that they stand united fulfilling their "sense of responsibility" as they "close ranks and raise our voices in order to raise the flag of Tagbilaran back to dignity."
First and foremost mentioned by the former mayors was the glaring refusal to account public funds even if the public demands it.
"The corruption is already institutionalized in peso amounts with an impunity that shock the sensitivities left in our advanced years," the former mayors said.
Also cited by the "elders of the city" is the rising criminality of drugs and illegal gambling.
The statement cited "corruption as the root of most poverty which can lead to diseases."
FREE MAN
The statement challenged every resident to stand as a "free man, with your city in mind."
The strongly worded call stressed that voters will be the "king" on May 10, 2010 who will write the "destiny of this city for another three years."
The former mayors said they consider Tagbilaran as their "baby" as they rallied they stressed to "stand for reforms and positive changes" that will "build a mansion of a free city which we and all our children will dwell in peace and prosperity."
ONE-ON-ONE MAYORALTY RACE
The May 10 polls will see a one-on-one mayoralty race between re-electionist Mayor Dan Lim identifying himself under presidentiable Erap Estrada and Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso under presidential bet, Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro.
The election is perceived by Lim's propagandists as a fight between "David and Goliath," with Lim serving his second term as city mayor. The chief executive enjoys the advantages of being an incumbent mayor whose supposed popularity came with his pro-people project copied from Makati City Mayor Jojo Binay who is now running for vice president.
Binay's free birthday cakes to the senior citizens as well as medicines and school supplies for the low income citizens have banered Lim's six years in service,
However, his gross negligence on transparency in handling public funds continues to impart a negative image of Lim who is aiming for another three terms in office.
Lim is presently facing four cases before the office of the Ombudsman including three graft cases, namely, the disadvantageous contract for the completion of the City Square, P20M unliquidated cash advances, tax harassment and the recent indiscriminate cutting of electricity to two media personnel which the public perceives as a clear harassment on media.
Veloso, for his part, banners the call for "transparency and public accountability" after becoming a victim of a corrupt governance who closes discussion on public accountability.
The mayoralty bet vowed to implement a total revamp, from a governance filled with corruption to a leadership whose thrust is to have an "open book" of transactions at the city hall.
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