Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim has stepped up his verbal arttack against favorite whipping boys—Gov. Edgar Chatto and Cong. Rene Relampagos. In what appeared to be his tack of raising the ante of his tirades against the two, he went as far as vowing to become their campaign manager if they take back the water and power utilities from the private sector. “You are saying that I am using this issue because I am running for governor or congressman. Tell the people that you will take back (the two utilities) and I will personally campaign for you,” the mayor declared yesterday over his radio program, “Ang Mayor Sa Dakbayan” aired live Saturday morning over Station DyTR. It was not the first time the outspoken mayor dared the two officials to comment on his gambit. He initially issued the challenge over his daily noontime radio program “Sa Motuo Lang” over the same station.

Lim said he believes the sale of the two utilities has become an election issue in Tagbilaran primarily because of the collection of the rate increase retroactive to 2006. The mayor, however, thinks the issue is not just about this increase but will actually be a referendum on the sale now that its effects are being felt by the consumers. “It is good that Cong. Relampagos has insisted that the sale has benefited the consumers. I wonder if the consumers feel the same way,” he added. The mayor said that Chatto’s continued silence is understandable considering that the provincial capitol holds a 30-percent stake in both utilities. Chatto earlier remarked that he will work for a longer time frame for the payment from 18 months to 60 months. Lim, however, dismissed this as coming from one “who will benefit from it”. “It reminds us of the lender who will allow an extension on the payment for as long as the debt is completely paid,” he added.

The mayor said he is amused with the way the propaganda blitz against him is being done because it will fool nobody. “They blame me for opposing the increase. The people know that if it were not for my opposition, the rates would have increased many times already,” he added. The mayor also waived aside criticisms that he is to blame because he did not appeal the decision of the Court of Appeals that upheld the decision of the National Water Resources Board authorizing the increase. “First, I am to blame because I opposed the increase. Now, I am again to blame because I did not file the appeal. Which is which?” he remarked. Lim said that no matter how the media spin doctors try to muddle the situation to pin the blame on him, there are several truths that they cannot deny.

“First, (Chatto and Relampagos) were the ones who sold the water and power utilities to the private sector,” he declared.

Second, Lim said the Capitol still owns a 30-percent in both utilities.

“Third, they have not demanded a financial statement from the management of the two utilities since the start and until this time,” he added.

The mayor also pointed out that while the decision was dated Jan. 2010, the increase was not immediately implemented. “There is no doubt that the delay in the implementation of the increase benefited the two of them politically,” he added. Lim said that he does not mind being made the punching bag if this will result to a lower rate for the consumers. “The sad thing is that we all know that this is not the last. This is only the beginning,” the mayor warned.