“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
These words of Jesus Christ were echoed by Vice Mayor Woodrow Maquiling Sr., a candidate for the mayoralty post, in answer to the criticisms from his opponents that he has compromised the independence of the City Council.
Maquiling emotionally told the Councilors in last week’s regular session that he is being crucified like Jesus Christ by the group Lupad Dumaguete as the whole Christendom is observing Lent.
Lupad Dumaguete, the party of mayoralty candidate Felipe Antonio Remollo, has three members in the City Council: Atty. Manny Arbon, Antonio Remollo, and Lani Ramon.
Maquiling came under heavy fire Wednesday by Councilor Arbon, who delivered a privilege speech saying the Body’s independence was compromised on the day the Presiding Officer withdrew his electoral protest against the incumbent Mayor on July 31, 2011.
Arbon said that Maquiling had failed to assert the independence of the City Council against the overbearing influence of Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, after the Mayor reportedly rescued Maquiling from having his house foreclosed, by entering into a deed of real estate mortgage between him and Maquiling.
Arbon cited a litany of court records and instances to support his claim.
Maquiling promised to answer the allegations in the next session, as he claimed that he is being maligned with all these insinuations purposely to prevent him from becoming the next mayor of Dumaguete City.
“My opponents think that poor candidates like me have no place at the City Hall because the rich ones only have the qualifications to run the City government,” he lamented. (PNA)
