BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Aksyon Demokratiko party of presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has downplayed the resignation of two local officials in Bacolod City and Iloilo.
The resignation of former Bacolod Councilor Ricardo “Cano” Tan as party chairman of the Aksyon Demokratiko – Bacolod ironically took place on April 28, as Moreno was conducting campaign sorties in Negros Occidental, including a courtesy call on Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Tan has severed his ties with the party due to what he calls “disrespect” of his designation as the Aksyon Demokratiko party chairman of Bacolod City, stressing that he was not informed of the activities of Moreno in Bacolod City, despite being the local chairman of the party.
As the party leader, Tan said that he should be privy to any activity of Moreno, whom he regarded as a man of integrity and possessed the capability to lead the country.
“I am a leader who values loyalty and respect. Since I am being bypassed and disrespected in the position given to me, I would rather disaffiliate myself. This is a bitter pill to take, but reality bites where some have shown disrespect on me,” he added.
Atty. Bobbit Roco, Aksyon Demokratiko vice president, in a press conference, said that Tan resigned when he was replaced by Mario Gerona.
Roco said he believes that the action of Tan “is a knee-jerk reaction on the appointment of Mario.”
“Even the first time that Yorme came to Negros, we were trying to keep in touch [with Tan]. However, it seems that nothing is happening so we have to do something as the campaign cannot be stopped,” he pointed out.
“So, we have to figure out how to make it continue, how to campaign for Isko even the people on the ground or appointed officials do not move properly, or accordingly, to how the party wants, Roco said.
He further alleged that Tan “is not helping.”
Roco added that Tan is facing ‘conflict of interest’ which is personal.
In Iloilo, Bryan Eric Cerebo, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president and ex-officio town councilor of New Lucena also resigned. Cerebo’s resignation on Thursday came after Moreno had just finished his campaign sorties in Panay and Guimaras Islands on April 27.
Roco called the resignation of Cerebo as a product of “love relationship.” He did not elaborate.*
