Yulo and Mirasol?

Now it seems that the race for the successor of the late Rep. Ignacio Arroyo as congressman of the Fifth District may be a choice between former Vice Governor Dino Yulo and Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol with the withdrawal of his name by Board Member Melvin Ibañez.

But we just cannot dismiss former board member Enrique Montilla. The latter cannot be discounted as possible contender. After all, not only does he enjoy the collective strength of members of the BIPA, but also can count on local executives. And he is also among the top lieutenants of the late Iggy.

Both Mirasol and Ibañez had vied for the enforcement of the United Negros Alliance, supposedly the strongest and most influential political party in the province and the fifth district.

Ibañez said he had pondered his choices. However, he has been influenced by both members of his family and his profession as a physician.

Besides, he added that Mirasol as mayor of Binalbagan town, belongs to the Liberal Party and could conceivably enjoy the advantage of being protected by the administration party.

Former Vice Governor Dino Yulo, however, belongs to the Nacionalista Party. But he has also won the endorsement of the voters of the district when he ran for board member. And he had gone around the area even before the announcement of Iggy’s demise.

Thus, he cannot be dismissed as a strong contender for the position versus Mirasol.

And he can count on Isabela as his bastion. And, of course, the sprawling Yulo clan, although part of the clan is expected to support also Mirasol.

Grace Ibuna, the erstwhile companion of Iggy, had formally announced her support for Mirasol.

And her appeal to the constituents of the district cannot be discounted. This was evidenced when a lot of former Iggy supporters marched up to her during the wake of the deceased solon at the Hinigaran St. Mary Magdalene Parish. They showed their gratitude to Grace who had been beside Iggy during his incumbency as the congressman.

It is uncalled for to speculate on political affairs just on the eve of the Holy Week. But that is something that cannot be discounted. At least, for the time being, the Fifth District must now be buzzing more about the prospects of who will be the candidates for the vacated post of Iggy.

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The COA technical team arrived yesterday to re-evaluate and re-apprise the value the property that is the subject of the controversial deed of lease between the province of Negros Occidental and the Ayala Land, Inc.

State Auditor Encarnacion Esmino, team head, reportedly said they are tasked to look into the price of the property and appraise the reasonability of the sale.

The COA had deliberated the issue but failed to come up with a ruling that will live the provincial government the go-signal to proceed with the transactions.

Governor Alfredo Maranon, Jr. said it is the prerogative of the COA to create and appraisal team and the government will just wait for their findings and recommendation.

The contract for lease between Ayala Land and the provincial government hit a snag when the SM Prime Holdings, Inc. filed a complaint against the transaction.

We just hope that the COA, which does not regularly hold en banc meetings, will be able to decide on the issue at the soonest possible time.

Otherwise, if it prolongs the delay, that could also militate against the interest of the province. A lot of local non-government organizations, including the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have urged the early resolution of the issue in order not to delay the implementation of the development plans of the province and its vision of accelerated progress for Bacolod City.

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Like most Bacolodnons, especially motorists and public transport workers, I am appealing to vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson to accelerate the inspection of gasoline stations in the city.

True, their initial foray had unearthed alleged violations of the calibration by the energy department which had earlier trumpeted their discovery of widespread violation of calibration by local gasoline stations.

DOE reportedly had sent the list of erring Bacolod stations o the city government. But other than those discovered by the Sayson task force, no names had been publicized.

In short, all of us go about blind as to which are these erring gas stations which either undercut the fuel they sell the motorists or simply are operating without the corresponding permits from the government.

Atty. Vicente Petierre trumpeted about the two gas stations required to comply with the requirements. But he never named those mentioned by the DOE list as having committed violations.

How many have been victimized by the defective calibrations? And how citizens have been deprived by these gas stations, remains in the realm of speculation.

So, why should Vice Mayor Sayson and Petierre not come out with those listed by the DOE? After all, those were found to have already violated the rules and regulations. So, what are you waiting for?*

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