Dear Editor,
I recently saw an interview of Mayor Beng Climaco Salazar on TV 11, where for the first time the mayor answered back the innuendos and accusations cast on her by her one time party-mate and now political rival for the position of Mayor, Celso Lobregat.
I once thought that the mayor was weak and indecisive, but in that interview, the mayor practically proved me wrong when she showed strength and tact in answering accusations made against her by her political opponent. It is quite obvious that Celso Lobregat will have to answer what the mayor revealed in the “No Holds Barred” interview , where she unabashedly criticized Congressman Lobregat of under-utilizing the people’s money when he was then mayor of the city, and by depositing it in a bank.
But the strongest statement coming from the Mayor was when she criticized Celso Lobregat , who prides himself as the champion of Zamboanga, failed to support the city of Zamboanga in filing a case against members of the MNLF responsible for the terrorist attack in the city in the September 9, 2013 siege.
The mayor of the city of Zamboanga has picked up the glove thrown at her in the political confrontation this coming May, and obviously the mayor’s accusations raised against Celso Lobregat for failing to support the city’s cry for justice, would damage his ambitions for the mayoralty position of the city.
All this time, Mayor Beng has been quiet the former Mayor continuously cast innuendos against her administration. But that interview showed another kind of Beng Climaco, not one that is a mild mannered Maria from the Von Trappe family, but a Margaret Thatcher who can cross swords with any political rival in this coming election.
The question is whether this would result to the votes she needs to keep her position as chief executive of Zamboanga? Well, the elections is yet too far, but if you ask me, I would put the money on the one who answers with substance, and evidences that you can defend on the battlefront of public opinion. That being said, why is Celso Lobregat a little coy about answering the Mayor’s challenge for a debate on the issues he has raised against the administration of Mayor Beng?
After all, if he decides to make the accusations first, you could think he would be able to substantiate it and defend it in a proper forum like a public debate, then let the people judge who is really worth his salt. The people of Zamboanga need to use wisdom in this coming election, the kind of wisdom that God gave Solomon in deciding who is the true mother for a child.
In this case the child is the people of Zamboanga, and only the leader who really cares for its people will show the kind of compassion and love for its people, and not look at this political exercise as just another opportunity for political survivalism.
Thank you and more power.
Erasimo Nalugi
20
