Talisay realpolitik

One of the biggest upsets in the May election was the victory of Mayor Johnny V. Delos Reyes over veteran politician Eduardo Gullas in Talisay City.

A self-made man, Mayor Delos Reyes, also popularly known as JVR was successful in his populist stance. He captured the imagination of the ordinary Talisaynon. And yes he did win their hearts and their votes.

He campaigned on a platform of job generation. In fact, his Adopt-a-Talisaynon encourages businesses in the city to hire locals. He also promised to absorb his supporters to the local government unit.

This is a form of patronage politics not just practiced in Talisay City. But as things turned out, JVR may have overdone it in Talisay City.

Any job generated by the government should be welcomed, as long as it does not hamper its other functions.

It came as a surprise to most that JVR decided last month to increase by about 80 percent the number of job order employees in City Hall. From 1,159 job orders during the time of mayor Socrates Fernandez, JVR decided to increase it to 1,901. He even gave a job order quota of 50 each to city councilors who belong to the Alayon Party. Even his partymate in the Liberal Party, Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante already expressed displeasure.

And then came JVR’s announcement that he would cut down the number of job orders starting this month because hiring too many job order employees, whose salaries will be sourced from the Maintenance, Operations and Other Expenses item in the budget, will already affect other services of the local government unit.

The realization is not good as he had unduly raised expectations of Talisaynons, especially those who campaigned for him.

Add to that the issue with the Cebu City government over territorial claims on portions of the South Road Properties. The city legal officer served a Cease and Desist Order on projects of the Cebu City government at the SRP, without the knowledge of the mayor. Issuing a CDO is a strong message, but when the Cebu City government seemed to ignore them, they backtracked and asked for a dialogue.

Although a neophyte politician, it behooves upon JVR to know that local governance is complicated and his powers as mayor has limits. And that good intention is not enough to bring rightful public service.

With barely two months in power, we know these setbacks would not be JVR’s defining moment. But he has to put things in check and should surround himself with good and competent people, not just relatives, bootlickers and power players.

We feel sorry for JVR’s travails. This should still be his honeymoon period, but some things had just gone out so loud, it would be hard to ignore.

Just the same, we wish JVR well for the rest of his term.