Is there a new majority block at the Zamboanga City Council?

IS THE majority bloc at the City Council in peril or is it now fragmented, making the minority allied with Mayor Beng Climaco the new majority group?

This was the question raised by political supporters and followers of Mayor Beng Climaco following the quick approval of the P1.368-billion Supplemental Budget requested by the local government.

“The bulk of the budget will be utilized for the City's Covid-19 response, such as the procurement of equipment, medicines and social assistance to be given to affected families para asegura el curada y comida que ay puede ayuda alivia vida na tiempo de pandemia,” Climaco said.

The 54-year old mayor thanked the 13 council members, including political allies of former congressman and defeated mayoralty candidate Celso Lobregat, for approving the supplemental budget. 

“We thank the move of the majority of the Sangguniang Panlungsod members who went beyond party lines and treated the approval of the Supplemental Budget No.1 amounting to P1.368 Billion with a sense of urgency - this is a clear indication that in a period of financial challenges and public health crisis, we, as servants of the people, can unite over common goals and respond to a more genuine conscience call - to heal the sick, feed the hungry and promote the general health and welfare of all our people,” Climaco said. 

“We thank our SP members for showing unity and a whole-of-society approach for our Covid-19 response and capacity management. With God's grace, hay puede kita dale curada y comida para ayuda alivia el vida del diatun maga vivientes na este tiempo de pandemia. Muchas gracias,” she added. 

Climaco said those who voted for and approved the supplemental budget were Councilors Bong Atilano, Jihan Edding, Kim Elago, VP Elago, Tungkuh Hanapi, Cesar Jimenez, Khymer Olaso, El King Omaga, Pinpin Pareja, Jerry Perez, Cary John Pioc, Gerky Valesco and Jimmy Villaflores. 

And those who voted against it were Councilors Litlit Macrohon, Mike Alavar, BG Guingona, John Dalipe and Lilibeth Nuño – all staunch supporters of Lobregat and fiercest critics of Climaco.

The 73-year old Lobregat, now sick with Covid-19 and in hospital, released a photo of himself on his Facebook page – a towel partially covered his neck and making a thumb signal that everything is okay.

Accompanying the photo is a caption that reads: “Getting the best care from our doctors and nurses. Thank you so much to everyone who has sent me their love and prayers. I appreciate all of you. I am well on my way to recovery! No man lingasa. Taqui lang iyo.”

But the latest photo bolstered suspicions and persistent rumors that Lobregat is also undergoing dialysis through the neck. Lobregat has not said anything whether he was on dialysis or not.

There are three different types of dialysis access used for hemodialysis, a process in which blood is transported from the body for cleaning and one of them is the Central Venous Catheter (CVC) also called Central Line. The CVC, which is a flexible, long, plastic, y-shaped tube that is threaded through the skin into a central vein in the neck, chest or groin. A CVC is not usually intended to be a permanent type of access. If the patient needs immediate or emergency dialysis or cannot receive and do not have an arteriovenous fistula or graft, then it will require a CVC.

CVC is quick to replace and remove and may be used immediately for dialysis and it is an outpatient procedure. However, its disadvantages are the following: It may damage central veins; may increase the length of the hemodialysis treatment; bathing and swimming are not recommended and complications can include infection and catheter clotting.

Whether Lobregat is sick or not, will his allies at the City Council remain loyal to him or will they switch side with Climaco and help her “heal the sick, feed the hungry and promote the general health and welfare of our people?”

As former Indian Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda said: “No permanent friends or enemies in politics.” (Zamboanga Post)

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