By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
BACOLOD CITY, billed as a “Super City”, is in the dump anew due the “quota brouhaha”.
This new “scandal” centered on the April 3, 2024 memorandum of Patrick Lacson and Jose Antonio Robello, top heads of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO).
The memo stated that all city’s traffic supervisors, enforcers and strikers must apprehend not less five traffic violators every day. Failure to comply means suspension or termination – effectively immediately.
Gosh! Upon knowing, Mayor Albee became fuming mad. Immediately, the mayor’s mouthpiece, Atty. Caesar Distrito, doused water to the fire, announcing to the media the immediate recall of the memo.
In short, Albee disowned it, never liked it.
When Albee axed Police Major Junji Liba as BTAO chief at the height of All Saints’ Day (November 1, 2023), his simple justification was he wanted a straight and clean BTAO.
Well and good.
He then appointed Patrick as OIC head of BTAO. Many raised their eyebrows knowing Patrick’s personal and political backgrounds. But the mayor was just “kebz” (unbothered).
Lo and behold, BTAO became a magnet of controversies, one of which were the clamping and towing operations.
“Wala naga-kasinanto ang dakpanay” was the common complaint of motorists.
Now, here comes the memo on quota.
The public is seeking clarifications and explanations from Patrick. Same with Robello. But where are they?
TO SACK OR NOT?
What is decision of Mayor Albee on Patrick, a known political ally?
Will he sack Patrick or not?
Bacolodnons are waiting for the mayor’s decision. The “quota brouhaha” is a serious matter.
Whether Albee plays innocent here, the fact is that he is the appointing authority. He, therefore, is compelled to take action – harsh or not so harsh. The respect of the Bacolodnons for him hinges on this.
BTAO’s memo on quota and Patrick’s fate are a test case for Albee’s sense of fairness and executive wisdom./PN
