Bambi hits Seno again: ‘Politically motivated’

MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano yesterday continued to lash out at Opol Mayor Maximino Seno over what he called as a politically motivitated decision at the expense of fire victims of Luyong Bonbon by asserting that all relief assistance be coursed through the town government.

Emano earlier alleged that Seno drove capitol relief workers away from the town, an accusation the Opol mayor strongly denied.

Emano yesterday continued with his tirades even as he assured the Luyong Bonbon fire victims that the capitol would take care of their concerns as soon as these are brought to his attention and that it would continue helping them. He then expressed dismay over what he said Seno did to capitol relief workers.

“We responded minutes immediately after the incident on the need-basis of the evacuees because of the request of the local officials of Luyong Bonbon. It was no time to burden them with bureaucratic red tape as some politicians now insist,” Emano said

He said relief workers from the capitol where on hand dispensing necessary assistance minutes as soon as the victims arrived at the designated evacuation center.

Emano said he was asked to speak to the evacuees but he refused because he wanted that focus be on the relief operations. “There will be a proper time for political demagoguery and posturing. Let other politicians take that stance but I refuse to go down to their level of petty politics,” he said.

Emano said he suspended the capitol’s relief distribution because of what was allegedly done to relief workers but assured he would continue to provide assistance to them on their specific needs.

He said his aim now is to fasttrack the rehabilitation efforts for the fire victims regardless of their political party affiliations. Emano said the fire victims may not see him in Luyong Bonbon but capitol personnel are always in the vicinity so barangay and purok leaders can bring their concerns to their attention.

“Definitely, I am not turning my back on their cries for help (just because of) some politicians wanting to earn ‘pogi points’ over the sweat and tears of the victims,” Emano said. (pio)