Talisay vice mayor laments election mudslinging as he bows out of office

OUTGOING Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao took the floor of the City Council the last time yesterday to clear some issues that concerned him.

Bucao who lost his reelection bid to Councilor Romeo Villarante was teary-eyed as he brushed off insinuations he unduly gained from the multi-million peso contract of the Perfect Clean General Services, a janitorial services firm hired by the city government.

His janitorial business he said started serving the City Hall on March 1, 2007 or more than three years before he became vice mayor.

He however regretted that his political rival have used his business with the City Hall against him during the campaign.

Yesterday, Bucao said that the Perfect Clean General Services is no longer interested in doing business at City Hall.

Another thing that made the outgoing vice mayor feel bad was the blame placed on him on the controversial transfer of the Talisay Public Market from barangay Tabunok to barangay Lagtang, which became a major election issue.

“Permi nalang ako ang pasanginlan [I have always been pinned the blame], when in fact I do no have any hand in the transfer of the market,”he said.

Despite the hurt feelings by accusations he enriched himself while in power, he is congratulating the people who have falsely accused him of wrongdoings.

“I offer my congratulations to the people who had accused me, you had been successful in embarrassing my name.”

In an interview after the session, Bucao said that he just aired out his emotions during the farewell session because he was not given any opportunity to answer all those issues.

“To give justice to my followers and family who were the most affected by the accusations, I gave those message,” he added.

Aside from Bucao, Councilors Rodulfo Cabigas, Bernard Odilao and Celiapo Cabuenas also delivered their valedictory speeches Cabigas is finishing his 3rd and last term, while Odilao and Cabuenas failed in their reelection bids.

Aside from members of the City Council, department heads of the City Hall also attended the session yesterday.

Bucao was the running mate of outgoing 1st district Rep. Eduardo Gullas. He lost to Councilor Romeo Villarante, running mate of mayor-elect Johnny V. Delos Reyes.

Villarante refused to comment on Bucao’s speech./Correspondents Christine Emily L. Pantaleon and Gabriel C. Bonjoc