MAYOR-elect Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy in his inauguration yesterday, promised sweeping tax reliefs for the business sector hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and the increases in fuel pump prices.
Uy also promised a general amnesty of all traffic fines of jeepney and motorela drivers incurred during the two-year Covid-19 restrictions in the city and the spikes in fuel pump prices.
“I have to ask our city council to pass ordinances to support these measures that are designed to help our businessmen and drivers,” Uy said in his inaugural speech at the Amphitheater in downtown Cagayan de Oro Sunday.
Uy, the incumbent 1st district representative, won the Cagayan de Oro mayoralty race garnering 157,575 votes against his rival, Gabriel ‘Pompee’ La Viña, who got only 128,071 votes according to the last count of ABS-CBN Halalan on May 13, 2022.
He will assume office on July 1 replacing outgoing Mayor Oscar Moreno who will end his nine years of an administration that saw hospitals and schools constructed and provide able leadership in the two-year fight against the coronavirus.
Moreno lost the gubernatorial race in Misamis Oriental in the May 9 elections.
“What Moreno did to Cagayan de Oro is a tough act to follow,” Uy said.
Uy’s proclamation was dogged with several controversies starting with his fall-out with Moreno, his long-time ally.
The newly elected mayor denied he and Moreno have a fall-out following the loss of his son, Vice Mayor Joaquin Rainer Uy, in the race for the 1st congressional race in Cagayan de Oro, which he reportedly blamed Moreno for the defeat.
“No there is no quarrel between me and Mayor Moreno,” Uy told reporters.
Uy’s appointment of former city administrator, Lawyer Roy Raagas and former city treasurer Glenn Banez as head of the transition team created a stir.
Moreno had fired Raagas and Banez during his first term of office.
Raagas was fired because he terminated or reshuffled former officials and employees of the late Mayor Vicente Emano without informing Moreno who opposed the move.
Banez was also fired for entering a tax deal with Ajinomoto company without approval from the City Council.
Uy holds a delicate political position with the two legislative districts going to Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez and his ally, Lordan Suan.
At the city council, Rodriguez’s sister, Jocelyn ‘Bebot,’ was elected as vice mayor. Rodriguez’s party, Centrist Democratic Party, has six councilors elected to the 15-seat council.
Majority floor leader Ian Nacaya said Rodriguez’s party has already attempted to grab the committee chairmanship of his fellow councilors, Jay Pascual and Girlie Balaba.
“We are the majority party and we have the numbers. They will fail to divide us,” Nacaya said.
