11 Metro mayors to back GMA bid

Eleven of 17 Metro Manila mayors declared yesterday their support for President Arroyo’s decision to seek a full six-year term in next year’s elections.

Mrs. Arroyo, according to the 11 mayors, has sincerity, competence, capacity for hard work and genuine concern for the poor, "all qualities of a good leader."

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, who is the president of the Metro Manila Mayors League, presided over the meeting attended by 10 other mayors: Quezon City’s Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Caloocan’s Rey Malonzo, Mandaluyong’s Benhur Abalos, Pasig’s Soledad Eusebio, Muntinlupa’s Jaime Fresnedi, Valenzuela’s Bobbit Carlos, Parañaque’s Joey Marquez, Taguig’s Freddie Tinga, Malabon’s JJ Yambao and Pateros’ Rosendo Capco.

Most of the mayors are members of the ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats. Atienza, who belongs to the Liberal Party, was the only exception. Lakas and LP are members of the pro-administration People Power Coalition.

A source said other presidential aspirants such as former senator Raul Roco, opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson and actor Fernando Poe Jr. were not mentioned during the meeting.

Belmonte, whose city is the largest in Metro Manila, stressed that Mrs. Arroyo has exhibited independence of mind and a deep familiarity with the situation, even down to the barangay level.

Belmonte told other mayors that the Philippines needs a leader like Mrs. Arroyo who is independent, has a full grasp of the situation in the country, and shows grace even under tremendous pressure.

Atienza, for his part, said the President has shown enthusiasm in working with local government units, particularly in Metro Manila, to achieve genuine autonomy and a decentralized government.

"She is also the only president who led the government’s campaign against criminality, especially against the illegal drugs trade," he said.

Atienza noted that "to date, there have been 17 clandestine drug laboratories raided and dismantled and a total of two tons of shabu seized."

Abalos, on the other hand, lauded the President for the full and automatic release of the internal revenue allotment for the local governments, enabling mayors to implement various development projects.

Malonzo echoed his view, pointing out that the President supported many of Caloocan’s development projects.

Tinga said that despite the series of destabilization attempts and incessant criticisms of her administration, Mrs. Arroyo was able to govern effectively.

"It is easier to criticize than it is to work, and the President has worked very hard under very trying conditions," he said.

Eusebio, Pasig’s first woman mayor, said Mrs. Arroyo inspired her to run for the city’s top post in 2001 because "she proved that women are equal if not better than men in terms of governance."

Fresnedi, Carlos, Marquez, Capco and Yambao said Mrs. Arroyo is the only president they have seen going to depressed areas and directly interacting with their poor constituents.

Six Metro Manila mayors were not present at the meeting: Jejomar Binay of Makati City, Toby Tiangco of Navotas, Ma. Lourdes Fernando of Marikina, Vergel Aguilar of Las Piñas, Jose Victor Ejercito of San Juan and Wenceslao Trinidad of Pasay.

Binay belongs to the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban, while Ejercito and Trinidad are members of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino. Tiangco belongs to the Nationalist People’s Coalition, while Aguilar is an independent.

Fernando was the only Lakas mayor in Metro Manila who was not at the meeting.