Look who's talking?

This was the introduction of Iloilo Vice Gov. Richard Garin, Jr. when he delivered his privilege speech Wednesday during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

Garin said that he and his wife, Rep. Janette Garin of the First District of Iloilo, were criticized by Board Member Gerardo Flores for taking credit for public works done in their district through signages.

Flores said the couple had signages bearing their names, hung on government-owned heavy equipment in Barangay Banuyao, Miag-ao, Iloilo.

During his privilege speech, the vice governor presented slides showing a poster bearing the text, "Through the efforts of BM Flores and with the assistance of Mayor Julieta Flores" at a newly-constructed building at the Malagyan Elementary School in Miag-ao.

The project was funded by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

"It was asserted that these government officials aimed to grab attention for work that is not rightfully theirs. They were criticized as interlopers, usurpers and just plain scene stealers or simply, 'makapal ang mukha'," he stressed.

Garin added that his wife facilitated the construction of 103 classrooms in the First District but "none of these classrooms bear the name of any person, politician or otherwise our names."

The classrooms are in San Joaquin, 25; Miagao, 22; Oton, 15; Tubungan, 12; Guimbal, 11, Tigbauan, 10 and Igbaras, 8.

It may be recalled that at the start of his term, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III warned the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other government agencies that no picture of his or even his name be placed in any government-owned project.

JUSTIFICATION

On the other hand, Flores said the school building project was donated by a private firm through Senator Richard Gordon, thus it was not a public fund.

He added that they have no idea that their names were placed at the wall and that they are willing to have them removed anytime.*