By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
FROM THE much-awaited “battle royal” for mayor in Bacolod City emerges a carnival of words that begin with letter C.
Incumbent Mayor Bing Leonardia bats for “continuity” as his battle cry. His challenger, gaming magnate Albee Benitez, is capitalizing on “change” as campaign slogan.
Which sounds good: continuity or change?
C, in world history, is a controversial letter in the English alphabet. Well-known American author and scientist Benjamin Franklin once campaigned to remove this letter from the alphabet. But he didn’t succeed.
Today, C is famous still. It stands for digitalization as computer and cellphone (both icons of the digital era). No wonder why the “meat of the matter” on Bing-Albee clash is also rooted on C.
Oxford Dictionary says “continuity” means the unbroken and consistent existence, or maintenance of continuous action.
“Change” is to make (someone or something) different; to alter; to modify or to replace.
But what struck my interest is the birth of different terminologies that also begin with C, which are being employed now in the current Bing-Albee “word war”. These include corruption, consistency, casino, cedula, citation, commendation, confidence, charisma, candidness, cheating, conviction, cogent, and even COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).
Albee says he wants change in Bacolod because of “too much corruption” under the current administration.
But where are the proofs?
Yes, Bing was previously charged criminally and administratively in regular courts and in the Office of the Ombudsman. But facing charges are normal for incumbents.
Conviction with finality is a different story, however. Hence, sans conviction, complaints are nothing. The fact that Bing is still the sitting mayor of Bacolod means he triumphed over those string of charges.
Corruption both in (phonetic) sound and spelling is quite a heavy term to hear and read. It’s a grave felony that, in truth and in fact, scares everyone. Section 9 of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act says anyone found guilty of this crime shall be punished with imprisonment for not less than one year but not more than 10 years. He or she will also be meted with perpetual disqualification from public office, including confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of any prohibited interest and unexplained wealth manifestly out of proportion to his salary and other lawful income.
Thus, the burden of proof now lies on Albee’s camp to (really) substantiate their corruption allegation against Bing’s administration. If not, Albee will end up a “laughing stock” in the “City of Smiles”.
‘CASINO CITY’
Bing’s camp, on the other hand, warned Bacolodnons that, if Albee wins, Bacolod will become a “Casino City”. And gambling of all sorts will flourish.
Albee’s camp remains silent on this claim though. But is this true? Well, my guess is as good as yours.
Let’s put things into a proper perspective. If gambling will soon boom in the city, it’ll have negative impact(s) on the morale of the society and families. And church, by all means, is obviously against any form of gambling.
Bing’s leadership, on the other hand, continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the business community. In November last year, no less than the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) picked Bacolod as the “Most Business-Friendly Highly Urbanized City” outside of the National Capital Region (NCR). It bested 10 other finalists.
Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) rejoiced with this accolade. Bacolod’s unique and doable anti-COVID-19 responses using the “Feliciano factor” wowed biz leaders all over the country. Such factor didn’t only save lives, but also protect businesses in the city from vanishing, the PCCI noted.
Capping 2021, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also hailed Bacolod as the “Best Performing Highly-Urbanized City” in Western Visayas. Such commendations or citations, therefore, are ineradicable proofs that the current administration is doing well. Hence, Bing earns respect from the business community.
‘CEDULA’ BROUHAHA
Meanwhile, Albee is yet to weather the still undying cedula brouhaha.
Albee is labeled a billionaire and a “king maker” in Negros. But the public was shocked when he paid only P525 for his cedula or community tax in Bacolod in 2021.
And it’s the gist why his transfer of voting registration (from Victorias City to Bacolod) was vehemently opposed.
But Albee, in his response to the media before, stressed he had almost no income in 2020.
Cedula, is a reflection of one’s surest income. Payment is easy to compute. Minimum basic community tax of P5 plus P1 for every P1,000 of gross earnings acquired during the previous year. So, just imagine if someone’s earning millions or billions in a month.
Yes, the cedula brouhaha is quite a small thing. But during the campaign period, I am sure it could be a bothering thing for Albee. It’ll dwell on his integrity and credibility.
If Albee can afford to (supposedly) give away four brand new cars during his birthday on Dec. 20, 2021, for sure he can pay bigger for a cedula, right? It’s a question raised by some accountant-lawyers in the city.
Candidness on the part of Albee is a must. Therefore the cedula brouhaha ain’t over yet. The people of Bacolod are smart.
CHARISMA
Also, the Bing-Albee duel would somehow boils down to charisma.
Bing is known to be a “charismatic” leader. Two of my lawyer-friends say, “It’s Bing’s formidable asset.”
Bing has a lot of critics both in the legacy and social media. But when he goes out of office and visits the barangays he has this “magnetic aura” that ingratiates ordinary people still.
Albee, on the other hand, is a humble-looking guy and “darling” of the press. But he has to work hard to become relatable to the common taos. In the midst of the crowd, it’s as if he is just like a “man without it.”
Albee completed his three terms as congressman in the 3rd District of Negros Occidental (2010-2019) unopposed. Hence, challenging Bing is, probably, his greatest battle in his entire political career.
He has to make sure he’ll win else he’ll lose his moniker as Negros’ “king maker” – the bitterest thing to happen in him I bet.
COGENT
With four months left prior to the May 9 elections, Bing and Albee must be cogent in their promises. Promising “heaven and earth” plus the “stars” to the people is already the norm in Philippine politics. But both must avoid “over promising”. Such is tantamount to hallucinating. And someone doing this is dubbed as “Prince of Promises” or “Bullshit in Politics”.
Bacolod City is still a “crucial ground” with “tricky boundaries” every election. Lots of “magical” things are bound to happen. But simple analysis dictates continuity knows where the (right) paths are, while change has still to pass through a messy maze.
But who’s who in 2022? Bacolodnons’ verdict could be “weird” but definitely “sweeter” in the end!/PN
