Koko Pimentel’s loss weakens opposition of regional seat transfer

REMAI ALEJADO
Online news contributor

PAGADIAN CITY: Genuine Opposition senatorial bet Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III’s defeat in the last elections is a blessing to Zamboanga del Sur and this city.

This blessing means that their will be smooth implementation of regional transfer seat from Zamboanga City to Pagadian because if he made it to the senate, he would be opposing its transfer.

Pimentel lost to Bukidnon’s Juan Miguel Zubiri in the race of the 12th slot in the senate race.

Second district Rep. Tony Cerilles, who in a recently concluded press conference with Sec. Silvestre G. Bello III and Undersec. Danny Encenas, said that the full implementation of the transfer should be effected immediately.

Bello is a member of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) negotiating panel holding peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)’s Luis G. Jalandoni.

He and Encenas were ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to meet with local officials here to map out plans for the full implementation of the regional seat transfer.

Rep. Cerilles disclosed that upon the prodding of Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, Pimentel promised to oppose the said transfer.

Cerilles added that he sees this move as “another hurdle to pass for Pagadian City to realize more than a decade law which is still to be fully implemented” as Lobregat is moving heaven and earth to oppose Arroyo’s Executive Order No. 429, which provides the reorganization of the administrative region covering Zamboanga City to Pagadian City.

In fact, Cerilles stated that the Chavacano mayor used the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) and all sectors in Zamboanga City in objecting the transfer then went to the Supreme Court but the Highest Tribunal in the land upheld EO 429.

“If not for his (Pimentel’s) loss, we could have more problems than we have now,” the congressman said.

“In the past we don’t have the political edge as the late Caling, Lobregat, Celso mother, was too influential in Malacañang to let the transfer implemented. Unlike this time that Zamboanga del Sur and Pagadian City had chipped in victories for Arroyo and her Team Unity bets in the last polls.”

“Now PGMA is more than happy that all the local officials here are united. This validates the willpower of the local officials for the transfer,” Cerilles said.

“The law is in our favor and we want it to be implemented,” Cerilles pointed out, saying he has now the backing of his colleague newly elected 1st district Rep. Victor Yu.