Team UNITY Fails to Pay Bill at Laguna Resto

[chua_riwap]

STA. CRUZ, Laguna, Philippines -- While two of the 12 senatorial candidates of the TEAM Unity ticket are among the top three biggest spenders in the early part of the campaign period, the administration coalition failed to settle its account at a local restaurant here where its bets held a press conference to kick off their “Pulong Sulong” or town hall meetings in the different towns of Laguna on Thursday.

As of press time, representatives of the TEAM Unity had yet to fully settle its bill with the owner of the Tres Palmas Restaurant in the village of Pagsawitan where four of the party’s senatorial bets -- Surigao Representative Prospero Pichay, Bukidnon Representative Miguel Zubiri, Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and actor Cesar Montano -- met members of the media in a midmorning news briefing.

According to restaurant owner Yolanda Hernandez, the half-day event amounted to only P31,000. The bill included the use of the venue and the food -- pancit Malabon, fried chicken and sandwich -- which they served to more than 70 persons who attended the affair.

The administration’s senatorial ticket, however, was able to pay only P13,000 when they left the area at around noon. “They still have to pay the balance of P18, 000. But I’m not worrying. I know they will settle the amount the soonest possible time. I trust them. Anyway, it’s just a small amount,” Hernandez told the Inquirer in Filipino. She said a representative of the political party left his mobile phone number where she can contact him. She said she was also told that part of the bill would be paid by the provincial government.

But Cris Sanji, the provincial information officer, vehemently denied that they would foot the bill for TEAM Unity. Sanji, who was the moderator of the news conference, said it was clear from the start that the coalition, not the provincial government, would pay for the event.

“There might be just some miscommunication. But there was no agreement that we would help in paying the bills,” he said.

Meanwhile, a staff member at the restaurant told the Inquirer that a coordinator for the Team Unity asked for their bank account and informed them that they would just deposit their balance on Friday.

Pichay said he had dropped his business interests in several media entities to comply with the requirement of the Fair Elections Act, which prohibited candidates to own any media establishments. The lawmaker from Surigao said he had already sold his shares in the tabloids Pinoy and Remate, and from the radio station dzME.

For his part, Zubiri said he had to sell some of his and his family’s properties to finance his candidacy, including a land in Calatagan, Batangas. He said he had also received financial support from friends and supporters.

The four administration bets admitted that they would have to exert more efforts to reach out to Laguna residents. They openly sought the help of Governor Teresita Lazaro to bridge them to the voters in the province.

Laguna, the seventh most vote-rich province in the country, is a known bailiwick of the opposition. Deposed President Joseph Estrada, titular head of the Genuine Opposition, is a native of Pagsanjan town where his nephew, actor ER Ejercito, alias George Estregan Jr., is the mayor.

In 2004 presidential elections, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was handily beaten by the late Fernando Poe Jr. despite her enjoying the support of most of the Laguna mayors.

After the event, Pichay went to Siniloan town. Zubiri, meanwhile, visited Cavinti. Kiram went to Paete and Montano left for Lumban town.

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Nakakahiya naman ito......

[Syuryuken]

Ang gagaling mangurakot para 31,000 lang hindi pa mabayaran ng buo.

[mazdamazda]

Errr... the owner of the resto is not that concerned... so why should you?

:rofl01:

[architect]

I guess it is because the people involved are candidates for important government positions that require accountability. If such actions or omissions are reflective of their characters then the voting public has reason to be concerned.

[chua_riwap]

Errr... the owner of the resto is not that concerned... so why should you?

:rofl01:

Naku naman Sir.....yun lang ang sabi ng owner, kasi mga kandidato para Senador yung kumain sa resto niya. Pero deep inside, nagmumura yan.

Subukan mong plain "Juan Dela Cruz" lang yung gumawa niyan?

[Gumusut_Amige]

mas lalo na siguro kung nasa senado na ang mga yan... baka di na magbabayad kahit saan

[oldblue]

ang labo naman ng media report na'to.

[metatron]

Naku naman Sir.....yun lang ang sabi ng owner, kasi mga kandidato para Senador yung kumain sa resto niya. Pero deep inside, nagmumura yan.

Subukan mong plain "Juan Dela Cruz" lang yung gumawa niyan?

kung si juan de la cruz may 18k na balance sa resto, tinatadyakan na sya at pinagmumura ng may-ari sa presinto.

sarap talaga maging pulitiko.

[3sgTe]

luge siya...

[baiskee]

Errr... the owner of the resto is not that concerned... so why should you?

:rofl01:

same comment din kaya pag GO naman gumawa nito?


fish tayo! :lol:

[shadow]

same comment din kaya pag GO naman gumawa nito?


fish tayo! :lol:

ditto! most probably meron din siyang pakialam pag opposition...