FORMER Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. told Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno he need not be a political butterfly, saying Moreno can stay whichever party suited his beliefs and principles.
"Ayaw pagdali-dali ug tampo sa PDP-Laban kay dili kana kinahanglan nga magbali-bali ka sa imong baruganan, ang importante tumanon mo ang sugo sa katawhan," Pimentel said in a speech during the flag raising at the Cagayan de Oro City Hall on Monday, October 10.
Moreno is a member of the Liberal Party (LP) while Pimentel is the founder of PDP-Laban, President Rodrigo Duterte's political party.
After Duterte's big win during the May elections, many politicians, including mayors, have joined PDP-Laban.
Moreno, however, stayed with the LP.
"Dili naman ko kinahanglan nga mag-bali pako kay from the very start, nag-interest ako sa public service because of him. Actually, kung ang dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro would be a PDP-Laban country, walay problema sa ako, dili lang ko mubali gayud kay dili na kinahanglan, (I will not transfer because it is not needed)” Moreno said.
He said his political interest was influenced by Pimentel.
"Angay lang that Cagayan de Oro should embrace the philosophies, the principles of PDP-Laban kay mao kini ang mga prinsipyo ni Nene Pimentel," Moreno added.
Pimentel also took time to give Moreno more advice.
"Si Mayor sa iyang pagpaningkamot, siyempre daghay maatubang nga challenges kay dili man tanan tao mu-agree nimo sa imong panglantaw pero importante na bisan unsa kalisod sa imong atubangon, barugan mo ang imong gituohan, in the end you will be vindicated," Pimentel said.
Moreno said the Court of Appeal's decision was meaningful to him because it cited provisions from the Local Government Code, which, the former senator authored.
Moreno said City Budget Officer Percy Salazar and City Accountant Beda Joy Elot, who are facing three month-suspension over the anomalous sports program, are planning to file motion for reconsideration.
"After the decision, naa kay 15 days from receipt within which to appeal or seek remedy, if no action is taken, the decision will be final. I would leave it up to them whether they will file a motion for recon. Whatever decision they make, I will respect, but I'd like to believe our decision will be one," he added.
