Cracks in the Union?

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

It is not surprising that not only the mayors, but also their supporters in Negros Occidental, are bothered by what, apparently, is a growing rift between the Governor and his vice governor and other officials of the provincial government.

Already, a disadvantage to the province and its populace is evident in the recent development where the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, presided over by the vice governor, had seemingly deferred action on the Governor’s request for authority to seek a release of funds from the standby loan of the province from LandBank of the Philippines.

The amount is supposed to go to the ongoing construction of the Negros First Cyber Center at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City. What has raised eyebrows among other officials and Negros Occidental residents, is that this seems to be the first time ever since the present set of provincial officials took over, that a similar request for authority from the Governor, had not been acted on with dispatch by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

And, this happened just after the vice governor, who presides over the SP, had announced that he is running for governor in the May 2013 election with the blessings of the top officials of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, to which both he and the governor belong, and under which they had sought their present positions in the last elections.

Add to the confusion the fact that the mayors of Negros Occidental have disclosed that they are now praying to prevent a showdown that could led to a break-up of the United Negros Alliance. This will be inevitable in case the top two officials of the province lock horns in the coming election.

Negrenses are also hoping that their officials will continue to pursue the projects that they had initiated for the best interest of the province. There are so many other groups and personalities waiting in the wings to take over the moment the cracks continue to widen. As for the UNA and NPC members, it will do them good to remembering the saying “United we stand, divided we fall”.*