BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE PROPOSED housing for informal settlers in Bacolod City by Mayor-elect Albee Benitez is “much, much” awaited.
Such, per Atty. Bong Dilag (Albee’s chosen spokesman), will be on-site, in-city and near city housing projects.
They will be tenement housing in concept based on the perspective already presented to the media by housing czar-turned-councilor-elect Vladimir “Vladi” Gonzales.
No doubt, such a mission is quite “noblest” in purpose and essence.
This, as half of the 41,610 households in Bacolod, according to the Bacolod Housing Authority (BHA) are considered “squatters”.
BHA defines squatters as those families not owning lots and houses or are living in “extreme danger zones”, and without stable jobs and income.
These squatter families are undeniably jubilant upon hearing the initial plans of the incoming mayor. “Change” for them seems to be real.
But not until the so-called “Aha! Moment” on the proposed housing projects was “prematurely” revealed.
Aha! Moment, per the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means the moment of realization, insight, recognition and comprehension.
So, why Aha! Moment?
‘DOLE OUT MENTALITY’
First, such housing projects aren’t for free. In short, these are against the “dole out mentality” of Bacolodnons. Thus, on social media, many were dismayed. They then recalled Vladi’s political campaign tagline: “Balay n’yo, sabat ko!”
So, Vladi (really) took time explaining via radio interviews the many “hows and whys” on these housing projects.
Sad to say, he can’t exact yet the viable scheme(s) needed to be employed in the selection of the rightful beneficiaries, and their capability to pay the equity and monthly amortization as well.
So, why presented it to the public half-baked? Gonna be “tricky” for sure.
What’ll happen to those who have no sure income? Or to those who are just “isang kahig, isang tuka?”
Well, let’s just hope for the best, and let the “reality” be the proponent’s potent guide later.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Second, the issue of conflict of interest (COI).
Well, many were “shocked” when Atty. Bong held an on-the-spot press conference on Friday last week. There, he clearly enunciated to the media that there’s no COI on such proposed housing projects.
On contrary, however, no one asked him about COI.
Is there such or just a gut feeling?
But Atty. Bong said he’s referring to the Joly Homes Foundation (JHF), a non-government organization (NGO), tapped by the mayor-elect to do the study and profiling of the project beneficiaries, including their capacity to pay, and the sustainability of the programs.
So, what’s the issue?
Confessed by Atty. Bong because the incoming mayor is also the incumbent chairman of the foundation.
Gosh!
Quite puzzling, isn’t it?
CLOUDS OF DOUBTS
Let’s have a simple “drill” on COI.
In politics, COI is, somehow, synonymous to delicadeza. It involves ethics and potential risks in ensuring high level(s) of integrity and public trust.
Digging deeper, the projected COI in these proposed housing projects with JHF on the picture could either be actual or potential or perceived in nature.
And the interest therein could also be direct or indirect.
But each of these classifications poses danger still. Because it is through COI that “clouds of doubts” start to form leading to malevolent public perception.
And when these clouds of doubts begin to envelope Albee’s administration as early as now, correct me if I am wrong but I think it “ain’t healthy”.
PECUNIARY INTEREST
Let’s take a glance on the jurisprudence: “Edgar Y. Teves and Teresita Z. Teves vs. The Sandiganbayan (G.R. No. 154182, December 17, 2004)”.
Such dwelled on pecuniary interest that led to COI, which Edgar, then mayor of Valencia town in Negros Oriental, simply issued a business permit to Valencia Cockpit and Recreation Center that he and his wife were already operating.
The High Tribunal, through former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. as Ponente in the case, convicted Edgar but acquitted Teresita for violation of Section 3 (h) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, for possession of pecuniary or financial interest in a cockpit, which is prohibited under Section 89 (2) of the Local Government Code of 1991.
Gist of the jurisprudence: morally behave or refrain from involving your family or family interest in any government matter – project or program – when you’re in power still./PN
