Taguig-Pateros solon to push for recall move against Taguig mayor

If the opposition wins in today’s barangay elections, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano said he would push for a recall election against his political rival, incumbent Taguig Mayor Sigfrido "Freddie" Tinga.

"If we get the majority of the brangay positions, we will push for a recall election," Cayetano told reporters Friday. There are 18 barangays in Taguig, where majority of the incumbent barangay captains are supporters of Tinga.

Cayetano said Taguigeños are starting to lose confidence in Tinga, whom the congressman continued to accuse of blocking his projects. Among these is the hotly contested new North Daang Hari Elementary School building, which both Cayetano and Tinga claim to be their project. The congressman said that Tinga prevented the construction of the school building only to start a similar project on the same site. Tinga has denied the accusation and said that his project has been approved before Cayetano proposed his own school building.

Moreover, Cayetano alleged that the mayor’s father, former Rep. Dante Tinga, continues to have a strong influence at the municipal hall. "I think (Freddie) has a genuine desire to be a good mayor. But it seems that the mayor still relies heavily on his father," Cayetano said.

The congressman said his group might field in businessman Boy Dizon to run against Tinga if the recall election pushes through.

The STAR tried but failed to reach Tinga. But speaking on the mayor’s behalf, Ana Santos, the city information officer said Cayetano should stop politicking. "The barangay elections should not be used for politics. Let’s just wait for the results. Mayor Tinga is calling for cooperation and a unified action for the progress of Taguig. Besides if the (mayor’s candidates) win, we won’t push through for a recall election against the vice mayor or any of the city councilors identified with the congressman," she said.