THE HOTTEST places in hell are reserved for the fence sitters, for those who take the neutral stand on issues, especially those of utmost import to the people.
If my take on a quote attributed to Dante in his Divine Comedy is proper, then I shudder at what fate awaits Mabalacat Vice Mayor Noel Castro and Board Member Tarcicio Halili – they who were quoted as having taken the “neutral” stand on Mabalacat cityhood.
Indeed, Castro and Halili are now the object of indignation for their alleged “betrayal of the interest of Mabalacquenos” which squarely lies in the transformation of their town into a city. This, results of surveys by a reputable group clearly showed.
It does not really take surveys to discern the people’s stand on their town being a city. Even without the increase in the internal revenue allotment and the increments of greater investments that cityhood brings, the simple status upgrade — from promdi to cosmopolite – of the citizens makes them go for it.
Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Mount Pinatubo eruptions, 1st District Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin announced that his House Bill 2509 — An Act Converting the Municipality of Mabalacat in the Province of Pampanga into a Component City to be known as Mabalacat City – has passed third reading and was already transmitted to the Senate where it is also expected to pass smooth sailing.
A most auspicious development there, mayhaps even something divinely inspired, given Mabalacat being among those most devastated by the eruptions and the lahar rampages.
Notwithstanding its pending petition before the Supreme Court against the declaration of 16 towns as cities, the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has expressed support for the cityhood of Mabalacat.
The LCP president, City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, declared that unlike the controversial ‘16 towns, Mabalacat possessed all the requirements for a city under the law.
The Local Government Code, as amended by Republic Act 9009 that took effect on June 30, 2007, provides certain requirements for cityhood: having locally generated average annual income of P100 million for the last two consecutive years and contiguous territory of at least 100 square kilometers or a population of not less than 150,000 inhabitants.
Latest statistics showed Mabalacat with a population of over 200,000 and income of over P200 million in the past several years. The town also covers an area of 165.8 square kilometers.
From all directions, the winds are blowing on the sails of Mabalacat cityhood. And then, Castro and Halili.
In actuality, the two local legislators’ neutrality is a 160-degree turn from their previous pro-cityhood actuations.
Records showed Castro himself signed Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 54 which called for the conversion of Mabalacat town into a component city.
Reports said Halili likewise supported Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 1093 endorsing to the House of Representatives the cityhood of Mabalacat.
“Hindi naman po natutulog si Vic Mayor Castro noong pirmahan niya ang SB resolution na naglalayong suportahan ang conversion ng Mabalacat bilang isang component city.” So was Mabalacat Councilor Liza Pineda quoted as saying.
Castro’s colleagues attest that during the first reading of HB 2509, the vice mayor “applauded and congratulated all the lawmakers who supported the bill.”
“Castro was even all smiles as he posed for photos with the congressmen, as though he were the very initiator of cityhood.” So claimed a councilor.
So what gives with this change of heart?
Politics, plain and simple. It does not take the highly partisan, double visionary Deng Pangilinan to see that.
Castro is said to be already fancying himself as the next mayor of Mabalacat. His ambition more than implied in posters and streamers all around town.
As the cityhood is Boking Morales through-and-through, Castro needed to take the counter stand.
The same holds true for Halili, training his sight back to Mabalacat with his term as board member expiring in 2013.
Propelled by personal political ambitions, the neutrality of Castro and Halili on the issue of Mabalacat cityhood is on the wrong side of history. To see this, you don’t even need to read the Divine Comedy.
As Board Member Cris Garbo is wont to say: “Kailangan biyasa kang mamasang balat kendi.” All you need to know is how to read candy wrappers. Yeah.
