Who decides what for BACIWA

Suddenly, yesterday, Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella bared what he called a mystifying event – none of the four nominees to the Bacolod City Water District Board of Directors were qualified except for outgoing Chairman of the Board of Directors, Lawrence Villanueva whose term is set to expire on December 31 of this year.

Marichi Ramos, director and secretary to the board of Baciwa in her letter to the Mayor, claimed that, upon review of the nomination papers of the other candidates, she has come to the conclusion that only Villanueva is qualified, having been nominated by two civic organizations, namely the Bacolod City Mt. Kanlandog Lions Club and the Occidental Negros Lions Club.

Marichi further said that she deemed the other nominees not qualified due to a technicality, explaining that the resolutions from the civic organizations for the other nominees were not duly notarized and, as such, only Villanueva is qualified.

I find this a bit amusing and which clearly miffed the Mayor since Marichi has clearly forgotten that as secretary to the board, her only obligation is to submit all nominees to the Mayor and for the latter to forward his choice for final approval of LWUA. It was not in Marichi’s place at all to even screen the nominees.

This act may also produce a howl from other civic organizations whose nominees were not even given consideration by the Mayor since Marichi acted on it first, in favor of Villanueva.

I asked around who were the other nominees that Marichi deemed not fit to sit as director and three names came up – Victor Flores, Dave Villanueva who was endorsed by the Rotary Club of Bacolod South and who has also been sitting as director of one of the most credible non-government organizations we have in the province, the NEDF, and Atty. Nelson Lo, nominated by the Rotary Club of Bacolod and ironically was a former Baciwa Director and as such, would know the process of how nominations are submitted, perused and decided by the Mayor.

I don’t really know Mr. Flores but I can personally say that both Dave and Atty. Lo are as qualified as Lawrence and for Marichi to say they aren’t raises a big question.

Oh well, since Mayor Monico has until December 15 to name his choice, he asked that all documents of the nominees be sent to him so he can properly study them himself and make his own decision and not based on a recommendation from another.

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Meanwhile, the dispute over the proposed flyover construction near the East block remains the subject of heated discussions from a lot of people, both pro and against it.

The stakeholders that will directly be affected by the construction have clearly made their opposition against it but I presume the debate is far from over.

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On a lighter note, talks about the impending fight between Manny Pacquiao and American contender Chris Algieri this Sunday is as heated as the flyover issue.

Mayor Newks continues to stand on his prediction that Pacman will win by unanimous decision against Algeiri but will not be able to get a knockout win.

Newks, who is a former Philippine Sports Commissioner and has served the Philippine Olympic Committee and has acted as commentator during Pacman’s bouts in the past, explained his prediction based on statistical records of Manny’s KO wins that while he wishes the Pacman will win by a knockout, the present weight of the boxer is “five pounds over the limit of his ideal weight class.”

Now only the sportsman may understand such an explanation. So Newks further said that if you look at Pacquiao’s records, he has never knocked out anyone at 145 pounds and above, saying the ideal weight for the Filipino champ must only be between 135-140 lbs. if he wants to get a KO win.

“He will still win because he is quicker, better and faster. But he cannot knock Algieri out,” Newks said predicted.

What is important for us anyway is that the Pacman wins this battle and hopefully after this victory, we will finally see him fight against Mayweather, the only one said to be at par with our champ that will put the issue at rest on who is really the ultimate boxer in this world.

Meanwhile, the Mayor said there will be a free live viewing of at the match only at the BAYS Center and at the lobby of the Bacolod People’s House, enjoining everyone to watch and cheer together another victory for the Filipino champ.*

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