Mayor Lauds 8 Dads as Allies

 STILL EXTENDS HAND OF RECONCILIATION TO OPP

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BINMALEY, Pangasinan – The mayor here cherished 2023 where five opposition councilors defected to him because they could not stomach the procrastination by their colleagues in the lawmaking body for the approval of pressing programs this town needs.

One of the many reasons, Mayor Pedro Merrera cited, why the former opposition majority councilors joined him because they want to expedite the delay of school supplies for the students and financial assistance for the senior citizens.

434^th ANNIV. Binmaley Mayor Pete Merrera (third from left first row) and most of the members of the lawmaking body in the recent commemorative program and civic parade for the 434h Founding Anniversary of the coastal first class town. The Sigay Festival was attended by thousands of people that hail from inside and outside of the town.

“Pagod na sila sa drama sa Konseho,” the first term’s mayor said.

The culprits of the “drama” were Vice Mayor Sammy Rosario and Councilors Ariel dela Concha, Buday Cagaoan, and Rosario’s son Jonas.

In early August last year, Rosario yelled and shunned away Merrera in the august chamber when he asked the former why he called "nanloloko (swindling)" Budget Head Eng. Jeffrey delos Angeles after he told the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) to revert the P39 million budget of a heavy equipment so it could be replaced for expenses on social services.

“Tingnan po natin Vice Mayor baka sakali gisingin kita sa pagkakamali mo na ikaw ay hindi ka dapat magmura sa ating mayor. Hindi dapat palabasin ang mayor sa session hall. I have also the power na ako ang pweding umatend diyan sa dahilan na that is a supplemental (budget hearing) to support kung meron kayong katanungan ang dapat ko sagutin kung hindi masagot ng ating budget officer,” he told reporters what transpired inside the SB with Rosario.

Those who defected in the middle of August 2023 to Merrera were Councilors Jallen Alipio, Banong delos Angeles, Joel Jose Carrera, Gericho Francisco, and Amelito Sison. Councilor Andong Ferrer was the lone alderman who joined Merrera when he defeated Rosario’s son Jonas in the May 9, 2022 mayoralty election and became a mayor here in June 30, 2022.

In the middle of August of 2023 the five councilors deserted Rosario for Merrera.

During the elections of the presidents of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation and the Liga ng mga Barangay, Merrera's allies Jania Beyonce D. An and Roberto “Butch” Merrera, Jr. won. Their victories increased to eight out of the 10 lawmakers who become the supporters of the mayor.

 Vice Mayor Rosario was left with Dela Concha and Cagaoan after Butch Merrera – the older brother of the mayor – beat in an hotly contested election Jonas. The Vice Mayor’s son was a long reigning Liga President.

“Kaya sa walong magiting kung kasama sa Office of the Sangguniang Bayan ngayon pa lang ang ating Bagong Binmaley ay nagpapasalamat na sa inyong mabilis na aksyon patungo sa tamang landas”.

Merrera nevertheless extends “my both arms” of reconciliation to Rosario and the two opposition lawmakers.

“In victory we should learn to look down to remain humble, and in defeat we should know how to keep our heads high for we always give our best,” the mayor modestly said.