Vice mayoralty aspirant dares rivals to a debate

CEBU, Philippines - With exactly 11 days before the mid-term elections, an Independent Talisay City vice mayoralty candidate has challenged rivals incumbent Vice Mayor Alan Bucao and City Councilor Romeo Villarante, to a debate that will focus on the city’s problems. 

“Let’s have a public debate so our people will know our performances,” said Belleza, formerly the vice mayor of the city for two consecutive terms. 

Belleza said that during his incumbency, the city council was named as outstanding in the entire region 7.

Villarante immediately accepted the challenge but he suspects the former mayor is just hungry for publicity. 

“Bisan unsang orasa andam ta pero Aber (Belleza) is just seeking publicity para mosaka iyang rating,” Villarante said.

Villarante said the opposition have made a lot of contributions to the city government. 

Bucao, on his part, accused Belleza of not returning some government equipment, which remain in his house.

Bucao and Belleza faced each other in the May 2010 election, for the vice mayoralty post.

Bucao won that race. 

“Wala man gani niya na-uli ang mga mahalong mga gamit sama sa acetylene, welding, grinder ug uban pa dihang mao pa kini ang chairman sa Talisay City Traffic Commission (TCTC),” Bucao said. 

But Belleza said “let the records speak for themselves.”

“Unsa man diay ning clearance nga tanang butang nga naa didto akong nauli?” Belleza said, as he presented a copy of the clearance issued by General Services Officer Joan Vebar, clearing the former vice mayor.  (FREEMAN)