Moreno sets eyes on Oro mayorship

MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno yesterday revealed that he is considering on running for mayor of Cagayan de Oro in 2013.
Moreno announced this during a news conference following the launch of the Mt. Balatukan Range Convergence Agro-Enterprise Zone at the capitol. "I say that now that I am considering on running [for Cagayan de Oro mayor]," said Moreno. He called Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano "the problem" in the city, Misamis Oriental and Northern Mindanao.

Moreno said Emano has not performed the way a mayor should since he (Emano) dominated Cagayan de Oro politics in 1998.
"He (Emano) is threatened because we deliver results. We constructed classrooms at Mogchs (Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive HighSchool) and that is something he failed to do even when he was governor of the province," said Moreno.
Because of that, according to Moreno, Emano's allies in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by provincial board member Jesus Jardin have launched a smear campaign against him. "They're attacking me for building classrooms," Moreno said.

Moreno said he felt "persecuted" and that it was clear to him that Emano has unleashed "dogs of war" just to get him. "They have persecuted me since 2004 because Dongkoy has always felt threatened." He said his decision to make the announcement was prompted by the pressures exerted by Emano's allies in the provincial board. "I know that they are after my head and they are out to discredit me and my administration. This is instigated by no less than Mayor Emano who felt threatened of my presence in some public activities in Cagayan de Oro," he said. Moreno said he analyzed and weighed things. He said he has to come out and make a decision so that he could squarely face Emano's party and the pressures it has been applying on him.

"Unsa ma'y sala ko? They took turns in pressuring me. I keep on asking myself: Unsa ma'y sala ko? Sala ko diay ang pagbuhat og classrooms diha sa Mogchs, kadalanan og ospital," he said. It was ironic, Moreno said, because the country has recognized Misamis Oriental when it was given the "Galing Pook Award" for good governance, strategic innovations in the health and hospital system and in implementing various infrastructure projects. "You should see what Dongkoy (Emano) did to the others he attacked before. What happened to former vice mayor John Elizaga, former mayor Pablo Magtajas and former congressman Erasmo Damasing? They were all victims of demolition by Dongkoy," Moreno said.

"Destroy all of them, and that's what he is doing right now. Maayo kaayo siya diha. Maybe, it worked in the past but now he should realize nga ang katawhan dili na mahaylo sa iyang strategy," he said. Moreno said he expected more demolition job especially after his announcement. "He (Emano) has been insecure since 2004," he said. He said the attacks on him, especially during his just-concluded state-on-the-nation address (Sopa), prompted him to seriously consider running for mayor of Cagayan de Oro.

Weeks before the Sopa, he said, there were already reports that Emano's allies in the provincial board were planning to sabotage the activity. Moreno said a rally had been planned but during the Sopa, Emano's allies settled for an "orchestrated and systematic demolition job" against him. He said the demolition job included "poisoned messages" via SMS. "Since my first Sopa, Dongkoy has been resorting to fireworks to divert the attention of the public away from my reports," Moreno said.

But he said citizens have become politically mature and the smear campaign may no longer work today. "People are now enlightened," he said, "and have learned to discern." Moreno, who is constitutionally barred from seeking the same position in 2013, said another option would be for him to run for congressman again. "You can do more as a member of Congress but more can be achieved if you are a local executive," said Moreno, who served as a representative of Misamis Oriental's 1st District for two terms.

Moreno said Emano could still change his style of leadership if the mayor wanted to. "Let him realize that. Magtarong siya. He still has a chance to convince the people of Cagayan de Oro that they still deserve his kind of leadership. Wala ma'y monopoly sa gugma sa katawhan, wala ma'y monopoly sa abilidad. That is essentially what democracy is all about," Moreno said.

By BOBBY LAGSA and LITO RULONA
Correspondents

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