ANGELES CITY – “Councilor Sangil was asking is it the same Bernie Cruz who endorsed and raised the hand of Councilor Yabut?”
Thus asked Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting in the minutes of the meeting of the city council session on October 6 as they raised questions over the awarding of city government projects to well-known contractor Bernie Cruz of this city and his son, Mark.
“As fas as I know, the Bernie Cruz that I saw in the newspaper raised the hand of our colleague here, Ares Yabut, is a contractor. I just don’t know so we have to find out if BP Cruz is the same person who raised the hand of Councilor Yabut,” said Councilor Jesus “Jay” Sangil. He was referring to a press conference on October 2 when three-term Councilor Yabut declared his intention to run for congressman and Cruz was present to express his support.
Sangil disclosed that B.P. Cruz Builders got the contract for the re-channeling of the portion of the Abacan River. The funds for the project, he added, would come from the calamity fund. The M.S. Cruz, on the other hand, is reportedly Mark Cruz, son of Bernie.
“ What is the point? The point is, Councilor Del Rosario, I think Mr. Cruz is also my kumpare is the same Bernie Cruz who raised the hand of Councilor Yabut. Medyo kailangan siguro, out of propriety kasi po ang indication po niyan ang impression malakas si Mr. Cruz dahil sinusoportahan niya ang isa sa ating mga konsehal. Ang impression din po is that malapit po siya sa city government that is why doon sa comment ni Councilor Sangil halos nakukuha po niya lahat ng mga proyekto po dito. To the people and to others may malaking indication po iyon. I think Councilor Sangil is questioning this because we want to know who these people are and if is he the same person na nagtaas ng kamay ni Councilor Yabut for another position then yun po ang kinakabahan natin. Ang ibig pong sabihin in the minds of other people ito po yung potential na political supporter who might be asking for something during this time and after the election,” said Cabigting.
“Madam Chair for the information, kung yung Bernie Cruz na nagtaas ng kamay ni councilor Yabut even at the time of Congressman Lazatin (as mayor) kaibigan na naman ni Bernie. Kung ito pong pagtataas ng kamay kay Councilor Yabut dahil kaibigan po niya at kaibigan rin siya ng mga miyembro ng city council,” said Majority Floor Leader Councilor Agapito Del Rosario in defending Yabut and Cruz. He is a member of the majority bloc and ally of Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno.
In the same minutes of the meeting, Sangil and Councilor Willie Rivera alleged that some of the contracts awarded to B.P.Cruz Builders, M.S. Cruz Builders and B-12 Builders had lacked the neccesary requirements such as program of work and notary.
“Kahit tissue paper lamang, wala silang ipiniprisinta sa konseho, tapos i-aaward natin sa kanila ang proyekto?” Sangil lamented.
Thus asked Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting in the minutes of the meeting of the city council session on October 6 as they raised questions over the awarding of city government projects to well-known contractor Bernie Cruz of this city and his son, Mark.
“As fas as I know, the Bernie Cruz that I saw in the newspaper raised the hand of our colleague here, Ares Yabut, is a contractor. I just don’t know so we have to find out if BP Cruz is the same person who raised the hand of Councilor Yabut,” said Councilor Jesus “Jay” Sangil. He was referring to a press conference on October 2 when three-term Councilor Yabut declared his intention to run for congressman and Cruz was present to express his support.
Sangil disclosed that B.P. Cruz Builders got the contract for the re-channeling of the portion of the Abacan River. The funds for the project, he added, would come from the calamity fund. The M.S. Cruz, on the other hand, is reportedly Mark Cruz, son of Bernie.
“ What is the point? The point is, Councilor Del Rosario, I think Mr. Cruz is also my kumpare is the same Bernie Cruz who raised the hand of Councilor Yabut. Medyo kailangan siguro, out of propriety kasi po ang indication po niyan ang impression malakas si Mr. Cruz dahil sinusoportahan niya ang isa sa ating mga konsehal. Ang impression din po is that malapit po siya sa city government that is why doon sa comment ni Councilor Sangil halos nakukuha po niya lahat ng mga proyekto po dito. To the people and to others may malaking indication po iyon. I think Councilor Sangil is questioning this because we want to know who these people are and if is he the same person na nagtaas ng kamay ni Councilor Yabut for another position then yun po ang kinakabahan natin. Ang ibig pong sabihin in the minds of other people ito po yung potential na political supporter who might be asking for something during this time and after the election,” said Cabigting.
“Madam Chair for the information, kung yung Bernie Cruz na nagtaas ng kamay ni councilor Yabut even at the time of Congressman Lazatin (as mayor) kaibigan na naman ni Bernie. Kung ito pong pagtataas ng kamay kay Councilor Yabut dahil kaibigan po niya at kaibigan rin siya ng mga miyembro ng city council,” said Majority Floor Leader Councilor Agapito Del Rosario in defending Yabut and Cruz. He is a member of the majority bloc and ally of Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno.
In the same minutes of the meeting, Sangil and Councilor Willie Rivera alleged that some of the contracts awarded to B.P.Cruz Builders, M.S. Cruz Builders and B-12 Builders had lacked the neccesary requirements such as program of work and notary.
“Kahit tissue paper lamang, wala silang ipiniprisinta sa konseho, tapos i-aaward natin sa kanila ang proyekto?” Sangil lamented.
