Councilor Dindo Ramos has been asked to preside over the public hearing to be undertaken by the Committee on Laws on the request of the Liga ng mga Barangay to allow the operation of small time lottery in Bacolod City, by Bacolod Councilor Ana Marie Palermo.

In a letter to Ramos, dated Jan. 8, Palermo said she cannot be neutral in presiding at the hearing since she is against the operation of STL. The Sangguniang Panlungsod has deferred action on the resolution of the Liga since Liga president, Councilor Arturo Parreño, is still on leave.

Meanwhile, Palermo said she is running for vice mayor of Bacolod City whether she join a political party or not. She said you will never know if something is meant for you unless you try.

She said she believes she is capable of handling the job of vice mayor. "And talking of availability of time, I have all the time in the world," she said.

Councilor Elmer Sy, who also hopes to run for vice mayor, said it would be advantageous to belong to a party, but if he will not be endorsed by the Lakas party for the position, he will run as an independent candidate.

Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said he has also been invited to run for vice mayor but he is keeping his options open because he has not yet been apprised of the plans.

He said he is not in a hurry to vie for a higher position since he is only on his second term and can still seek re-election.*CGS

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