ONE OF THE LANDMARK EVENTS IN 2006 MADE POSSIBLE BY ASTERISK EVENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON – Two of this province’s political superstars have both expressed their interest to engage in a grand debate before the public to finally resolve long-standing issues.

Preparations may soon be underway for the said event between re-electionist Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. (LAKAS-CMD) and three-termer 1st District Rep. JR Nereus Acosta (LP), which is highly anticipated as a battle royal between long-time, intense political rivals.

In a radio interview prior to his filing of candidacy, Acosta challenged Zubiri to a debate. He reiterated this call when this writer asked him, immediately after he filed his papers at the Provincial COMELEC office last March 28, if he was indeed ready and prepared to face the incumbent governor. The solon said that he was not afraid to face Zubiri and that it was just a matter of fixing the details.

“I will be there,” was Acosta’s firm response.

Zubiri, for his part, told this writer that he gladly accepts the challenge. He expressed this after the LAKAS-CMD/KAMPI proclamation rally at Plaza Rizal, Malaybalay City Tuesday night.

“In fact, I’ve been asking for that for so long now. That will be an opportune time for the public to finally know who’s telling the truth and who’s not. Tell him that I accept the challenge,” he emphasized.

As of press time, Acosta has requested for details with regard to the debate and has requested for a letter to formalize the invitation to the much-awaited event.

If the debate pushes through, such will be for the books. Zubiri and Acosta have long been on “unfriendly terms” and various issues, including allegations of graft and corruption, have intensified such long-standing political struggle.

The Bukidnon Crusade Against Graft and Corruption, led by Fr. Venancio Balansag, has accused Acosta and his relatives of illegally diverting millions from his congressional funds to Manolo Fortich-based BINHI Foundation which seeks to support women’s micro-enterprises. The group said that Acosta’s relatives specifically his parents and aunt are behind BINHI and that the diverted money was being lent with interest. The group also accused Acosta of using the Talakag town government as conduit. Acosta is also facing charges of alleged “ghost projects”. Zubiri, in his speech during the proclamation rally, cited covered courts in Acosta’s district that were either unfinished or overpriced.

Acosta, for his part, said that the allegations are politically motivated and that BINHI is no longer controlled by his family. He said that Balansag is a brother of the wife of Zubiri’s nephew and that the BINHI foundation now has a separate set of officials. Acosta also said that he has called for congressional hearings with regard to alleged irregularities within his district’s Engineering Office. He claimed that officials of the said engineering district were responsible for non-payment of workers’ salaries, non-delivery of construction materials and overpricing. He said that the engineering officials either failed to show up at the congressional hearings or just opted to retire without getting to the bottom of the issues.

The 3-termer congressman has also repeatedly called the forthcoming gubernatorial rivalry as a “David versus Goliath”, with him as the “David”. In a recent speech before the Seventh Day Adventist pastors, he said that while he knew he will be facing an influential opponent, he still continued his bid because he felt that “it was the right thing to do.”

The last time the public witnessed a grand live debate between two local solons was last October 18, 2006 at Bukidnon State College Gymnasium. Acosta and Bukidnon 3rd District congressman and now senatorial candidate Juan Miguel Zubiri agreed to square-off on the proposed creation of Bukidnon Del Sur. The debate, organized by Asterisk Events and Communications, was well-covered by print, radio, online and television media and was witnessed by thousands of spectators representing both public and private sectors.

This year’s midterm elections will be held on May 14. (MISA/Asterisk Events and Communications)