BINMALEY Vice Mayor Simplicio Rosario, who is running for mayor in the May 2025 elections, has reiterated his challenge to his opponent, re-electionist Mayor Pedro Merrera, for a public debate on various issues concerning the town.

He repeated his call during an interview with Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan on Friday, October 18, saying a debate could help settle differences and improve collaboration in the local government.

VM Rosario sits as presiding officer of the Sanggunian Bayan, where majority of the council members support the mayor.

He admitted that he harbored resentment against the council for their selective recognition of local officials, particularly the rejection of a commendation for five years of service for his son, former Liga ng mga Barangay Federation President Jonas Rosario, while a similar commendation for Liga Federation President Richard Bautista was immediately approved.

He said he can forgive but cannot forget what was done to his son. (Ahikam Pasion)

Rosario questions ‘consultant’ role in municipal hall

BINMALEY Vice Mayor Simplicio Rosario raised serious concerns regarding Mayor Pete Merrera’s decision to allow a private individual to freely access municipal records, with a motive to find documents that could be used to file charges against him.

Rosario said the person in question, a certain Leonardo Nicolas Jr., who is not an employee of the municipality, has been rummaging through files owned by the local government.

Merrera, in a statement, defended his decision saying he has the right to allow the individual, whom he is paying as a consultant, to use his office and its amenities.

However, Rosario said Nicolas was dismissed from a previous post and blacklisted by the Ombudsman for an entrapment operation against former Governor and Rep. Amado T. Espino Jr.

The dismissal was recently affirmed by the Supreme Court, according to a SC document dated April 8, 2024.

Rosario said the mayor is undermining the integrity of the local government and raises concerns about the misuse of municipal resources for personal vendettas.

The controversy has sparked a heated debate in the town, with residents and local officials divided on the issue.

Some support Rosario’s stance, while others believe that Merrera has the right to hire consultants to assist in governance matters. (Ahikam Pasion)

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