Local Gov’t Tough To Run Than Corp. – Mayor Quiambao

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BAYAMBANG – Business magnate and this burgeoning town mayor cited that it is tough to run a local government unit (LGU) than a corporation because of the delay the former entails to the pressing needs that confront it.

“Sa corporate world 10 computers na kailangan, bukas nandiyan na. Sa LGU may Philgephs (Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System ) for bidding minimum 21 days,”  Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao told this writer with his signature chuckle.

Bayambang, Pangasinan Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao.

The family of Quiambao controls the majority shares of corporate giant Stradcom,  a hospital in the US, and other businesses like a mall. 

The mayor said it is difficult to deal in the local government with the members of the lawmaking body’s Sangguniang Bayan compared to the directors of the corporate board because if a mayor is not allied with the majority of the ten councilors he would have a hard time or helpless getting his programs being implemented.

“Mas complicated iyong Sangguniang Bayan lalung lalo na pag hindi mo kasama ang mga councilors. Sa (corporation) board majority share holders ka you appoint the board,” he chuckled again.

A part of Section 24 of the Corporation Code of the Philippines (Batas Pambansa Blg. 68) says: “…and said stockholder may vote such number of shares for as many persons as there are directors to be elected or he may cumulate said shares and give one candidate as many votes as the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of his shares shall equal, or he may distribute them on the same principle among as many candidates as he shall see fit …”.

The Local Government Code of 1991 provides its frustrating program making power to a former corporate man like Quiambao “Section 48 Local legislative power shall be exercised by… the sangguniang bayan for the municipality…”

During the term of Mayor Quiambao this central Pangasinan town thrives thanks to the majority members of the Sanggunian Bayan who are his allies. The mayor is seeking his reelection for his second term for the May 13, 2019 election.

He is pitted with former mayor Ricardo Camacho.

This 75, 911 voters rich town, based on November 2018 data of the Comelec, is the No. 5 in terms of the most numbers of voters in the 44 towns and 4 cities’ Pangasinan province.