Barotac Nuevo is better known as the cradle of football in the country.
But that image is likely to take the back seat as this municipality is gaining notoriety as the seat of a new dictator: His Excellency, Honorable Mayor Hernan Biron, Sr.
Biron is the father of one of the richest congressmen in the country, Rep. Ferjenil Biron. It’s no surprise that he won the last elections to become the local chief executive of this proud municipality. With oodles and oodles of money that he spent to buy votes, Biron virtually employed carpet bombing tactics that left his opponent without any fighting chance.
Anyway, Biron is the type of elected official who feels that he owes his constituents nothing because he bought their votes in the first place. And now he is manifesting signs that he wants to rule his town like a dictator, tolerating no dissent or contrary views, and using strong-arm tactics to get what he wants.
Biron had another opportunity to display his dictatorial behavior when he demanded an explanation from the municipal agricultural officer why the latter allowed Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr. to distribute certified seeds for farmers badly hit by Typhoon Frank in his municipality.
He threatened to file administrative charges against the hapless employee who was just doing his job to assist farmers get their share of the government’s aid.
He accused this employee of partisan political activities and disrespect for his office, charges that are totally baseless and arising only out of his own insecurities.
The biggest reason for his anger is that the activity involved the presence of Governor Tupas, who has been designated as the point-man for the government’s rice production program in Iloilo. Tupas is the likely opponent of his son, Rep. Biron, in the 2010 elections, and Mayor Biron doesn’t want the governor to be straying into his territory to help his constituents.
Biron is fast gaining a reputation as the “new dictator” in local politics. This image is being reinforced by his usual show of force, in which he utilizes the entire police mobile group based in Dumangas, Iloilo as his personal security group. He likes to strut around with battle-ready policemen in his tail. He also prohibits foundations from building school houses in his municipality and provide educational materials for pupils. He kicked around market vendors, totally unmindful of their welfare.
If this continues, then Governor Tupas will have found an effective campaigner against Rep. Biron in 2010. The dictatorial behavior of Mayor Biron is certain to draw votes away from him and his son. Barotac Nuevo is the home town of the incumbent congressman, but this early, there is betting that Tupas is going to give Biron a hard time even in this town known as the cradle of football in the country.
1 Comment
August 20, 2008 at 7:54 pm
indeed, rino arcones was a legend and will always be a legend. it’s such a pity that the media (broadcasting) is all muddled up and lost its credibility as a good source of information. it takes more than just enough intelligence to be at par wid someone like him. its apparent that most of those who try to be his successor failed to have the “heart” to do their job right. a pity to those who get deceived by the “smart-ass” voice they hear over the airwaves. and i agree with you about those who let their popularity get into their head. such a waste of intelligence.