Save Bacolod From Hypocrisy

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I cannot help but comment. There is this group launched in Bacolod which called themselves Save Bacolod Movement. The SBM was organized by a local broadcaster (whose local cable TV show was actually defunct) named Romy Nieri, and was launched with the objective of sparing Bacolod from the clasps of corrupt and plundering politicians. As soon as they were launched, it was however very clear that, the movement was conceived out of the loins of partisanship, contrary to their self-proclaimed neutrality. The SBM started to "expose" Bacolod Congressman Monico Puentevella, arch-rival of incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia, for his alleged corruption regarding the 52 million peso funds for the BASOC during the hosting of Bacolod of the Southeast Asian Games in 2005. My comment will not dwell on the allegations against Monico Puentevella. The congressman can defend himself and I am pretty confident that he has intelligent lawyers who can defend him. My comment will dwell however on the so-called neutrality of SBM, especially Romy Nieri.

If indeed SBM is for the protection of Bacolod from graft and corruption, how come I have yet to hear any remark or statement coming from Save Bacolod Movement about the allegations of plunder and corruption against Mayor Bing Leonardia himself? Remember that Mayor Bing Leonardia also has cases of plunder and graft filed against him at the Ombudsman. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio "Bing" Leonardia is now facing separate plunder charges stemming from the city’s two-year purchases of fuel products worth P72 million. Let me repeat: that's 72 million pesos, a value far greater than the alleged 52 million pesos allegedly stolen by Monico Puentevella.

In Leonardia’s case, the complainants alleged in a sworn supplementary affidavit that Leonardia, city accountant Eduardo Ravena, city administrator Rogelio Balo, city agriculturist Goldwyn Nifras, city treasurer Annabelle Badajos, and Francis Torres, general manager of FAT Petron Service Station in Bacolod City manipulated "millions of public funds allotted for the purchase of gasoline, oil and lubricants through a series of cash conversion, misuse and malversation of public funds in the guise of advance payment of fuel which were bought monthly in bulk." (The Daily Tribune)


Both Congressman Puentevella and Mayor Leonardia are as of the moment INNOCENT until proven guilty, but why the unilateral bias against Congressman Monico by the SBM? The answer is obvious. Romy Niere is a staunch ally of Mayor Bing Leonardia and an open critic of Congressman Monico Puentevella.

In Ely Santos's opinion column, he wrote:

"It is said that Bacolod Mayor Bing Leonardia is orchestrating this propaganda assault against Monico. With U.S. preacher Romy Niere at the forefront of this propa anti-Monico proper blitz, I am not the least surprise. If Monico has his own City Hall sources then he should check on the rumor that City Hall bankrolled Niere’s defunct TV program, the better to see clearly this US based church minister’s motives." (Sun Star)


I have to admit that I might be bias in favor of the Congressman, thus I would not even attempt to defend him in any way against the allegations hurled by the SBM and the PSC. I am confused though as to why SBM is so quiet about Mayor Bing's alleged graft and corruption. Mr. Santos added in the same article, "If those in the so-called Save Bacolod Movement are altruistically motivated, then how can they see Monico’s alleged graft and not see the mountains of graft of the Leonardia administration? Compared to the Leonardia administration’s rapacity in devouring the Bacoleño’s money, Monico’s, even if true, is not even a drop in the bucket."

Romy Niere must stop being a hypocrite and must be true to the "principles" of the so-called Save Bacolod Movement. But how can the dog bite the very hand that feeds him? A riddle that not even Oedipus the King can solve.







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