Mayor Rodolfo Gonzales Jr. of Valencia town, Oriental Negros, said he is supporting the proposal of the Constitutional Commission to cancel the local elections in 2007.

Gonzales said he believes that canceling the polls would save national government funds that could be used for socio-economic development to propel the economy of the country.

He said that, under a democracy, an elective official must submit himself to voting when his term ends. If the official wins another term, it means his performance met the people's expectations, he added.

Gonzales said that, based on his experience, the same people are being reelected to office.

He debunked allegations that canceling the next polls would trigger massive protests and political chaos aimed at unseating President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Gonzales said the protestors would fail in their objectives, adding that, now is the right time to start all over, because the success of any system of government could be achieved if everyone is united and is working hard.*RG

back to top