Shocking vitriolic
exchanges in Bacolod

It was unexpected. And truly shocking. I am referring to the developments post the inauguration of SM Bacolod. It is good that the bitter political exchanges did not undercut the appeal of SM Bacolod to the thousands who kept trooping to the newly opened mall at the Reclamation area.

At least, the mall did not become the casualty in the bitter and explosive feud that opted between the forces allied with City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Rep. Monico Puentevella.

The confrontation at the mall, however, did not end peacefully with the civil dialog among the lawyers of both camps. Instead, it was something that triggered later a vitriolic word war over the air lanes.

And language by spokesman of both camps oozed with unprecedented viciousness never before known in Bacolod politics.

Let's be honest about it. In the past, Negrenses were shocked by the language used by Ilonggo political leaders and their supporters.

That's why the torrid exchanges from spokesman of both camps more shocking because they went against the grain of Negrenses.

Perhaps, the lawyers are better heard than the drumbeaters of both sides. At least, the lawyers, despite their efforts to put the best forward in the claims and counter-claims of their clients somehow shed light on the truth.

One can always see the truth behind their arguments for or against the other. Not so with belligerent language of the respective defenders and spokespersons.

But there was something that struck me during the debate over the no objection certificate. That was not a requirement by the city government. It was Pagcor's and when the agency waived it following the issuance of a Mayor's permit, I see no reason why this had to be annexed later as a requirement by the city legal officer.

And, if Zamora claimed that he Mayor's office was not aware that the bingo firm was going to operate in the SM, it was already established in a document that the city government had been informed about it.

Thus, while Bacolod officials have been tangling with zest over various political issues and throwing the kitchen sink at one another, in Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas aired a furious rejoinder to the claim by the Genuine Opposition that they cancelled their Wednesday ally because of security threats.

For Jerry that was a foul blow. The provincial government, especially Gov. Niel Tupas nor Administrator Boy Mejorada had not informed him, at least, about receipt of the text messages even two weeks ago. And, for that matter, they had even reported the threats to the police.

Strange that they did not. Even assuming that they did not trust the police who had earlier figured in a tussle with provincial authorities, they could have expected Treñas to take in the Armed Forces or the Commission on Elections to assure their safety. Instead, they contented themselves with simply airing their concerns and claiming that the security threats were responsible for the aborted rally.

Treñas has reason for his irate outburst. After all, about a million fiesta goers had joined the latest Dinagyang Festival and the local police had secured them. No untoward incident had marred the celebration.

So, I hope that the GO should not use again scare tactics to justify their failures or lack of preparations and logistics.

Let's be honest about it. The dice is loaded in favor of the administration tickets. Yesterday, I talked with several Lions members from Iloilo City, and most of them were not buying that security threat tale of Mejorada and company.

That may explain why even Senator Franklin Drilon dished out a more modulated excuse for the aborted rally.

Let us not sacrifice the future of Iloilo's tourism drive for the sake of partisan politics, was the call of Treñas.*

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