Is the impending battle royale in Bacolod getting on Mayor Bing Leonardia’s nerves? I thought he had the upper hand considering the political machinery he has in place and the confidence his allies has in his reelection for the nth time?
So it was a bit startling that Mayor Bing recently lashed out at Atty. Ma. Fatima Aspan, the designated poll officer for Bacolod Comelec while its chair, Atty. Kathrina Trino-Caña is on a 14-day mandatory quarantine as part of the protocol for close exposure to a COVID-positive staff.
I cannot also make heads or tails of the inconsistent statement of the mayor who, a week ago came out to encourage voters’ registration, especially among the youth, yet is now discouraging the same, alleging that most registrants are transferees from the areas covered by his impending opponent, former congressman Albee Benitez.
These knee-jerk reactions from Mayor Bing are sending a signal that he is not so sure of his victory after all. It is also an affirmation of rumors that Albee might indeed be gaining ground especially with some former allies of the mayor already jumping ship.
Mayor Bing’s public beating of Aspan was also very surprising and I must say a bit slanderous even if he said he was not necessarily casting aspersions, because he really was when he accused the latter of not having delikadeza to inhibit from taking over the Bacolod Comelec temporarily.
To impute that Aspan may be responsible for the sudden influx of registrants from Albee’s previous constituency where she used to serve as election officer as well is plain mean unless supported by evidence.
That statement from Mayor Bing does not only sullies Aspan’s integrity but the entire Comelec agency that appointed her to the post in light of Caña’s absence.
I suspect the mayor also forgot the protocol he has issued in his memo when he asked Aspan to vacate the post, now that Cana has tested negative. Didn’t he remember that exposed individuals need to complete the 14-day quarantine cycle even if they tested negative?
I know that protocol well because the city government placed a yellow tape in front of our house and quarantined us even when we tested negative because of our close exposure to our late brother, Nonoy.
Mayor Bing should take the issue of Aspan to Comelec Regional Director Wilfredo Jay Balisado or to Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, who is a phone call away, and not to the poor girl directly who is simply following orders from her superiors.
For Cana to even issue a statement that based on protocol, she cannot return to the office until September 27th, when her quarantine period ends, is a reminder to the mayor’s advisers to refresh his memory of EO’s he has signed regarding health protocols before issuing such rash statements.
Mayor Bing also cited Aspan’s presence when the Election Registration Board held a hearing over Albee’s residency as “an act inappropriate, unbecoming and intended to press undue influence” over the ERB which decided in Albee’s favor. That statement too cast aspersions on members of the ERB who should take offense that Mayor Bing thinks an election officer from the north was powerful enough to sway them in Albee’s corner.
The mayor also accused Aspan of failure to manage the crowd that lined up in malls but forgot to blame his people who did not arrest those who obviously violated curfew under his September EO as it has been reported that people started amassing at Comelec satellite areas as early as 2 A.M when supposedly curfew ends at 4 A.M.
Whether it’s Cana or Aspan, it is clear that more and more people want to beat the registration deadline so they will be allowed to exercise their right to vote come May 2022.
My friend’s kids registered online as early as January but are not officially voters yet because they lack the biometrics. Text messages to Cana, I was told, went unanswered. I guess she does not want to be bothered because she’s on medical leave. But as public servants, I am sure a text message is not so hard to do, especially since one has tested negative.
I agree though that a system needs to be in place to avoid confusion. When you have a thousand people lining up and you only give out 200 numbers, you need to assure those 800 others of their spots in the coming days since we only have 10 more days till they close the registration. It has not helped that the Bacolod Comelec office closed many times in the past which further led to this sudden influx to beat the deadline.
If all heads will work, I am sure a system can be found that will ensure safety for all registrants, for the Comelec workers and for the rest of the public. But to threaten closure of borders with Talisay, Bago and Murcia if Comelec refuses to heed the EOC’s call to cancel satellite registration in malls is definitely not the answer.
I am not sure if that is really the thought process of EOC Deputy Director Chris Sorongon or influenced by someone else because that is tantamount to waging war with Comelec national that ordered such satellite operations to continue.
Ahh, nerves are showing gentlemen. Always think twice or even a hundred times before issuing emotional statements as it reflects your jitters.*
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