‘TIS now the time for political manifestos to serve political agendas.

The first such manifesto was signed by twenty-five barangay chairmen of  Dagupan City seeking a status quo for Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Mayor Benjamin Lim and Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez in a bid “to preserve political unity” in the province.

The barangay chairmen, headed by Guillermo Valejos of Poblacion Oeste, met with De Venecia last Sunday to present the manifesto which was in effect intended to prevent a clash between Speaker de Venecia and Mayor Lim in the coming election.

The barangay officials declared their preference to see a status quo in Dagupan City and pledged to support the candidacies of de Venecia, Lim and Fernandez in their present positions when they run for reelection ostensibly “to ensure the victory and continuing progress in Dagupan City.”

The manifesto was signed by Barangay Chairmen Eugenio Balolong (Bacayao Norte), Gregorio Taminaya (Bacayao Sur). Herminigildo Rosal (Barangay 1), Teodoro Macasieb (Barangay V), Marvin Fabia (Bolosan), Carino Aquino (Bonuan Boquig) Pedro Gonzales (Bonuan Binloc), Perfecto Velasquez (Carael) Cesar Fama (Caranglaan);

Salvacion Bravo  (Herrero Perez), Generoso Dacasin (Lasip Grande), Severina Centino (Lasip Grande), Marcial Rioflorido (Malued), Raymundo Martin (Mamalingling), Arsenio Esguerra  (Mangin), Samuel Guadiz (Mayombo), Mario Rayos (Pantal), Guillermo Vallejos (Poblacion Oeste);

Luis Santiago Samson (Pogo Chico), Roberto Abalos (Pogo Grande), Dolores Bancod (Pugaro), Delfin de Guzman (Salapingao), Conrado Muyalde (Salisay), Roberto Dion (Tebeng) and Evangelista de la Cruz (Calmay).

Those who did not sign were Noel Melecio (Barangay II), Ricardo Mejia (Bonuan Gueset), Arsenio Santillan Sr. (Lomboy), Eric Munoz (Tambac) and Jake Reyes (Tapuac).

While the move appeared to be a face-saving measure to serve the agenda of both De Venecia and Lim, observers say Lim has began developing his options including preparing his son Bryan for the mayoralty post in the event he decides to oppose De Venecia. 

The mayor has been seen introducing his son when making the rounds of the city hall and official functions, including the recent trip of the barangay officials to Metro Manila.

Lim said he has ordered a new survey to determine the preferences of the people on their choice of position for him in this year’s local elections, adding that the results of the survey would be known by the end of this month.

Vice Mayor Fernandez thanked the barangay chairmen for the manifesto but said he will abide by the Lakas Party’s decision for him.

Lim remains the chairman of the city’s Lakas in spite of his earlier decision to join the “Arroyo Resign” movement at the height of the “Hello Garci” scandal in 2005.

President Arroyo is the chairman of the ruling party while Speaker de Venecia whom Lim criticizes at every opportunity, is its president.

 A report reaching The PUNCH indicated that whether or not Lim will challenge de Venecia, the son of Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. will seek the mayoralty post.

Meanwhile, the same number of barangay chairman also signed a manifesto throwing their support to Liga ng mga Barangay president Eric Muñoz to run for councilor in the coming election. But Muñoz declined and said he prefers to stay as president of the Liga.

However, the move was seen as a ploy to ease out Muñoz from the Liga ng mga barangay in order to give way for Vallejos to become the president.

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