Benjamin Bondoc and Larry Blaza take selfie in front of mayoralty aspirant Amos Rivera’s house located in Holy Family Subdivision, Barangay Cutcut. Contributed Photo
ANGELES CITY – “A Man of Service.” So wannabe mayor Amos Rivera has long assumed as the meaning of his name, parlaying it in successive electoral runs in the city council.
“No man, no service.” In effect, came the collective cry of residents of Barangay Anunas who reached out to social and mainstream media Thursday lamenting the runaround Rivera allegedly played on them with their “pleas for help and assistance.”
Called for his side of the story, Rivera denied any “personal knowledge of any group, organization, or anyone seeking help” from him. (His interview by Joan Manabat dealing with the issue at the end of this article).
The residents said they visited Rivera’s home on October 18, 19, and 21 to seek financial, medical, and burial assistance”but no one came out to meet them.”
“Nakita namin nakaparada mga sasakyan sa garahe, pero walang lumabas para harapin kami,” Benjamin Bondoc said. “Bumalik kami sa ibang araw at natyempuhan namin na may tao pero nung nakausap namin, ang sabi sa city hall kami pumunta para humingi ng tulong.”
Bondoc said that on October 25, they decided to visit Rivera’s office headquarters located in a two-story building in Barangay Cutcut to ask for help. However, the office was closed when they got there.
The following week, Bondoc said he and his companions visited Rivera’s office multiple times but it was always closed.
A similar experience was shared by Bondoc’s barrio mate Sheila Maravilla: “Metung keng dominggong balik-balik kareng opisina na, palagi lang sarado.”
Josie Diaz, also from Anunas, said that after one week of unsuccessfully trying to find Rivera, they just decided to stop trying to seek help from him.
“Manyad ke sanang saup kaya uling tatagal yang mayor, banta akit mi makananu ya magserbisyo,” Diaz said, “Pero magisan ke mu pera kakabalik keng opisina na, e ala ne man.”
One Larry Blaza pointedly asked: “Ini ba ing Bayung Angeles? Potang kailangan mung saup, ali me ahagilap?”
Blaza was referring to Rivera’s group “Bayung Angeles” under which Rivera is running for city mayor.
“Minta kami keng city hall uling sabi na nitang akasabi ming staff ng Amos, karin kami munta, oneng alaya man palang opisina karin,” said Blaza.
Rivera reacts
“Number one, ala kung personal knowledge na atin kung akasabing makanyan na grupo, organization, or anyone na atin anyaranan saup.
Second, from 2013 to 2019 prior pandemic, open ya ing office ku Monday to Friday. Atin kung list of names da retang menyad solicitation support either medical, burial, or any other form of assistance kareng grupo or individuals. Ali ku ugaling popost ku ninu reng sosopan tamu pero atin kung data karin.
Three, ala no man budget deng councilors kalupa ku about keng solicitation. So deta ngan asosopan tamu, personal ta lang funds deta na eextend tamu karen ngan lalapit.
Number four, ali ya kanaku ing committee chair ning senior citizen. So nung atin man linapit kanaku at ali de atiyempuhan ing office ku kasi open ya mu Tuesday and Thursday. Deng mag duty karin ali ku la staff, volunteers la ning solo parents. Karen ngan apulung councilors, aku ing alang staff ngeni. Ali da ku dininan staff ning current administration. So maliban keng ala kung personal na akakasabi, nung atin la man sasabyan na atin mumunta bale, ala ku mu rin daramdaman kareng kayabe ku bale na atin mu rin mumunta bale ku.”
Rivera went on to present part of his platform best discussed on the campaign stage.
