By MELVIN PURZUELO
Green Forum – Western Visayas
ILOILO CITY. —Candidates sometimes say the darnedest things.
In GMA7’s Ang Pamangkot shown recently, gubernatorial candidates Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul Tupas (LP), House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) and independent Norberto Gil were asked about natural calamities, agenda for the youth and governance.
Gil, 48, a market vendor and security guard, said calamities happen because of the grave sins committed by people against the planet. His advice? “Pray to God that you will not be harmed.”
On water scarcity, Gil said he would give the biggest water pump to each town and God would provide the water.
Defensor, 68, meanwhile said, “Mining and the quarrying of sand and gravel in rivers exacerbate climate change, which is now our gravest threat.”
He said “Iloilo is not the place for large-scale mining operations” to prevent it from becoming another Marinduque, where one of the worst mining disasters in Philippine history occurred.
For the youth, Tupas, 38, said he would work for the improvement of their reading comprehension, a drive against drug abuse, and sports development.
Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo asked the candidates if they would allow their relatives to take government positions or meddle in government. He also asked how they would fight corruption, which he cited as a cause of poverty.
Gil said his relatives are not qualified for higher positions but “maybe they can help in lower positions.”
Tupas stressed his belief in democracy and meritocracy, saying people will put in public office those they believe to be qualified.
Six Tupases are running for various positions on May 10. His father, Gov. Niel Tupas, is running for congressman of the 4th district, while his older brother Rep. Niel Tupas, Jr. is up for reelection for the 5th district. His other siblings are Nielo, who is running for Board Member; Niel III, mayor of Barotac Viejo; and Lex, councilor of Iloilo City.
Defensor said a political dynasty is unconstitutional and should not be allowed. The existence of well-entrenched families is “a violation of the morality of politics,” he said.
Defensor’s son, Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr., is running for congressman of the 3rd district.
Early last week, candidates for vice mayor for Iloilo City shared their plans to make communities more resilient to the impact of climate change.
During the Debate sa Bombo, Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s Antonio Pesina and Julienne Baronda of Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino said they would implement a massive tree planting program. Baronda said, “We should not allow the cutting of trees.”
Independent candidate Dr. Aquilles Hortillosa said the housing problem should be addressed to allow for more space for trees that will absorb carbon dioxide. “We should anticipate the disasters and develop preventive measures,” he said.
Joe Espinosa III of the Nacionalista Party said he was for sustainable energy development and alternative fuel programs of the city. “Properties should not close waterways and I will encourage the shift to compact fluorescent lamps from incandescent bulbs,” said Espinosa.
The newly passed law on Climate Change requires all levels of government to integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and policies in their development plans.
Panelist Aurora Lim of the Professionals for Social Responsibility said of the candidates: “They have no specific strategies or proposals for disaster risk reduction.”
On supposed violations committed in the construction of the coal-fired power plant in the city, Espinosa and Pesina said they will review the process while Baronda said she can no longer do anything because the construction is ongoing.
But she said the local government can monitor the operations of the plant to make sure it complied with the conditions set in the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The power plant was reportedly built without public consultation and prior approval from the city council.
Hortillosa said council members should explain why they allowed the construction despite the violations.
Pesina said he was against coal power plants and that he did not go to Taiwan when members of the City Council were invited by the project proponent.
“Those who went to Taiwan at the expense of the proponent were accused of corruption,” he said.
Baronda and Espinosa were among the city officials charged before the Ombudsman by Romeo Geroche of the Freedom from Debt Coalition-Iloilo with violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.