IN LEGAZPI CITY Netizens slam Legazpi council’s reso declaring Go as adopted son

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Sangguniang Panglunsod resolution declaring Former Special Assistant to President Duterte Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as an adopted son of this city was strongly criticized by netizens in their social media posts. The SP resolution authored by City Councilor Lilian Ramirez got the ire of Howard Tuanqui, a city resident who made a post in his FaceBook wall asking Ramirez to explain what motivated her to author a resolution declaring Bong Go as “An adopted son of Legazpi City? ” Tuanqui said in his post: “Kailan pa? Bakit? Paano? And all the councilors of Legazpi City unanimously approved this B__lS__t! I demand an explanation. I demand accountability.” Ramirez when asked to comment said the resolution was just an expression of gratitude to Go who was instrumental in fast-tracking projects in the city, making Legazpi a hub for tourism and conventions. Ramirez in a phone interview said, “We just wanted to express our emotions, feelings, and appreciations for the things that Go has done, given the projects that would benefit Legazpenos. This is no big deal; it’s just like thanking a person or extending condolence or sympathy. ” She cited the projects that Go promised to give strong support and had in fact started to keep them moving: the Build, Build Build project for more infras, establishment of Malasakit Center, and the proposed immediate rehabilitation of the PNR, and the completionof the Bicol International Airport (BIA). As this developed, Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal in an interview on Sunday said the resolution was just a collegial and consensus move expressing gratitude to Go for facilitating significant projects badly needed by the city in order to spur social and economic development. He said: ”The council’s move was only an “expression of thanks.” Rosal said Go was instrumental in asking the Duterte to order the police to fast track the Batocabe case and placing a P20M bounty for the perpetrator's fast arrest. The SP resolution was signed and unanimously adopted during the council’s 5th Regular Session on February 4, this year. The resolution was signed on Feb. 6, by Ramirez, the proponent, Councilor Vicente Baltazar III, presiding officer, and Vice Mayor Oscar Robert Cristobal, Acting Mayor. Duterte on Friday has endorsed his pet senatorial candidates Bong Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, singer Freddie Aguilar and Jingoy Estrada whose hands he raised during the Bicol Peace and Order Summit for Barangay Officials sponsored by the Department of Interior and Local Government. The president’s endorsement of his favored candidates caught by surprise thousands of participants in the summit who were mostly composed of barangay officials.