Filipino Politics

By Sunday Post

Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim yesterday said it is the people themselves who will eventually make a choice whether to perpetuate the present or commit to change.  

"They will decide for themselves what they want with their lives and with the country," the mayor added.

Lim issued the statement as he gave his reactions to recent news reports indicating the Aquino government's desire to investigate the alleged over-importation of rice.

The news reports quoted Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima as saying that the investigation will include Rep. Arthur Yap of Bohol 's third district who served as agriculture secretary and National Food Authority administrator.

Lim said the investigation is a good opportunity for Yap to clear his name, noting that the third district solon sounded confident about his position.

"Boholanos should monitor the development of this issue because we cannot deny that whenever Cong. Yap's name is being mentioned, the family name would now be Bohol ," he added.

The mayor said he is also "excited" to see how Yap's political allies in Bohol , particularly Rep. Rene Relampagos and Gov. Edgar Chatto would conduct themselves.

Lim particularly pointed to Relampagos' "no-win" situation considering the latter's recent somersault into the Liberal Party (LP).

"Considering that (Relampagos) obviously switched to the LP out of convenience, he will now have to toe the party line," he added.

The mayor noted that since it was Pres. Benigno Aquino III himself who denounced the alleged irregularities in the rice importation, the LP would be expected to go all-out to support his position.

On the other hand, Lim said this puts Relampagos in a bind since Yap actively supported him in the last election.

The mayor said Yap supposedly promised to give funding out of public funds to Relampagos' political allies in the first district even though Relampagos was not yet a government official at the time.

In addition to this, Lim said it was Yap who was largely responsible for the choice of Relampagos as Lakas first district official candidate over Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas.

This caused a rift in Lakas since the entry of Relampagos, considered an "enemy" by many party leaders, was at the expense of a loyal party member in Salinas .

"If (Relampagos) actively supports the investigation, it would mean turning against Cong. Yap who was a big factor in his victory," Lim added.

The mayor took the occasion to point out that there is nothing new in the party switching and opportunism, adding that the people cannot expect anything new unless they make a move.

"They will be the ones who will decide that they want change that is more than cosmetic," he added.

Lim said this is the reason why there are on-going round table discussions on this concern.

"Criticism without offering alternatives is counter-productive," the mayor added.

Lim hinted that the alternative would be the organization of a new group that will consider the aspirations of the Boholanos and their desires for a better life.

"This time our agenda will no longer be left out in the equation whic most national parties tend to do," the mayor added.