31 August 2005
Benjie’s not blinking on ‘GMA-resign’call
DAGUPAN City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim is ready to face any political backlash that may result from his earlier call for President Arroyo to resign but is hopeful of the full support of the House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. who he said would not abandon his own city.
Lim said he was not discounting a possible reprisal from Malacanang for his active participation in the call for Arroyo’s resignation and that may come thru withholding of funds for the city’s projects or worse, filing of charges as what befell Cavite Gov. Ireneo Maliksi, who was ordered suspended by the Ombudsman for alleged irregularities as charged by his own vice-governor.
The mayor said he was not wavering in his stand and he was even proud to have taken that position against all odds before his family, friends and Dagupenos.
He expressed hopes De Venecia will still be there working for the continued release of funds and assistance to the city for various projects, pending or in the pipeline. “Di naman tayo pababayaan ni Speaker,” he optimistically remarked.
On the unrealized bangus processing plant in Bonuan, Lim said he had enough waiting for the fund counterpart from the agriculture department. He said he was given a runaround by the department when he did several follow-ups of the money that would come from the agency.
The President during her early term promised to help the city realize that project thru a counterpart fund from the DA. “Nagsawa na rin ako sa kapa-followup, pinaiikot-ikot tayo,” he said. He clarified however that he was not blaming the President for the long delay.
But he did not totally abandon the project. He said he was counting on the private sector to invest on it, saying that he had on-going talks with possible investors.
The local executive has been traveling abroad more frequently in recent weeks, going to the U.S. and China apparently to woo investors.
Lim said he was not discounting a possible reprisal from Malacanang for his active participation in the call for Arroyo’s resignation and that may come thru withholding of funds for the city’s projects or worse, filing of charges as what befell Cavite Gov. Ireneo Maliksi, who was ordered suspended by the Ombudsman for alleged irregularities as charged by his own vice-governor.
The mayor said he was not wavering in his stand and he was even proud to have taken that position against all odds before his family, friends and Dagupenos.
He expressed hopes De Venecia will still be there working for the continued release of funds and assistance to the city for various projects, pending or in the pipeline. “Di naman tayo pababayaan ni Speaker,” he optimistically remarked.
On the unrealized bangus processing plant in Bonuan, Lim said he had enough waiting for the fund counterpart from the agriculture department. He said he was given a runaround by the department when he did several follow-ups of the money that would come from the agency.
The President during her early term promised to help the city realize that project thru a counterpart fund from the DA. “Nagsawa na rin ako sa kapa-followup, pinaiikot-ikot tayo,” he said. He clarified however that he was not blaming the President for the long delay.
But he did not totally abandon the project. He said he was counting on the private sector to invest on it, saying that he had on-going talks with possible investors.
The local executive has been traveling abroad more frequently in recent weeks, going to the U.S. and China apparently to woo investors.
