Now Councilor Dr. Bernie Al-ag knows how it is to be on the other side of the political fence. The councilor is now a candidate for Vice Mayor of Davao City challenging a well-entrenched opponent, incumbent Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
Yes, councilor Bernie who claims that his purpose of going to the upland portion of Barangay Tagurano in his native Toril district was to have a look-see of the livelihood of the residents after the area was closed to trekkers, was called out by the village head. Why? Because according to the top barangay official the councilor and his team violated the trekking ban ordered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the trails going to the highlands of Tagurano.
The barangay captain alleged that Al-ag did not coordinate with the village officials regarding his trek. The village chief added that since the barangay officials are deemed on-the-spot implementer of the ban it is incumbent for them to call out anyone or any group regardless of who he is or they are.
Well, there is no doubt that the barangay head is right in arguing that it is the responsibility of the village officials to ensure that the ban is complied. But it is our take that the Kapitan’s publicly calling out the councilor for his alleged violation could not just be a manifestation of local authority but more of showing some political undertones.
We are certain that the Barangay captain is clearly aligned with the current local government administration under Mayor “Baste.” who is now running for Vice Mayor. Baste therefore, is the one challenged by Al-ag.
So, it is possible that this early the pro-Baste barangay heads are already given the marching order as to what should be done to obviate the aspirations of those hoping to replace the incumbent.
Of course Dr. Al-ag’s justification in his Tagurano trek surfaced one weakness that he might not have realized. He is now councilor of the first district. Therefore his claim of looking into the situation of the residents in the area is less credible as it is way out of his represented district.
We can only hope that the councilor, though his family is rooted in Toril district, chould learn some lessons from that experience of his in Tagurano.
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Councilor Wilberto “Nonoy” Al-ag of the third district and alderman Javi Garcia Campos of the second district are reported to have stepped down from their chairmanships and/or membership in the Davao City Council Committees. The two are running for congressman in their respective district against opponents under the bosom of the ruling local government administration Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) party.
Well, it is unfortunate that in Philippine politics, the good of the people is always relegated to the back burner every time those tasked to craft policies intended to benefit the populace are not on the same political boat. Enmity becomes the order of each day thus creating distrust among the policy makers.
Whatever the council committees Al-ag (Nonoy) and Campos are part of for certain they could still contribute ideas with which the objective of the body they are or were part of could be attained. And even if their ideas may not be in accord with those councilors who are with the ruling party, still these could serve as important inputs to come up with quality ordinances.
The thing though is that both councilors Nonoy and Javi already see their participation in hearings of committees they once were part of as already unwelcome. Thus, they opted to abide by the saying, “If you cannot withstand the heat in the kitchen, then better get out.”
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Is re-electionist Congressman Isidro Ungab of the third district of Davao City beatable?
As of this time we don’t think so. But aspirant councilor Nonoy Al-ag could give him (Ungab) a run for his money better than former Congressman Ruy Elias Lopez possibly can. Yes, Al-ag has the popularity that has given him advantage when he ran for councilors a number of times. And he may have the resources needed to run a congressional campaign. But Ungab has his UP education and solid performance in the Lower House in all of the years that he had been representing the third district. And there are clearly visible infrastructure projects to boot.
Councilor Nonoy on the other hand could bank on his long known approachability, his willingness to help his constituents in the third and of course the name recall. But in running for Congress he will be into a different arena and the performance in the Lower House is not anymore gauged on how many of your people you have given financial assistance, provided transport requirement for burial, number of couples where a congressman is made godparent, and the like.
On the other hand, former Congressman Ruy Lopez, like Ungab, also has a UP education, a lawyer who could do battle with the best and the worst in the house, a name revered courtesy of his father, former mayor and congressman as well, and a voters base among the indigenous people in the district.
But unless the former congressman has “connected” himself to the logistically prepared political group of the national administration, we are certain Ruy’s lack of the latter will be a major bar to unseat incumbent Ungab.
