REPOST: Eddie Dimacuha’s anointed Crown Prince, RD: the political dynasty starts to crumble - Part 4

first posted on May 29, 2013...

(Overwhelmed with the readers’ interest in my posts, I am writing this next series. My page views suddenly leaped to about 1,100 from 600+ since the first post on this subject).

For 25 years, the Dimacuhas of Batangas City, headed by patriarch Eduardo, have been in power since 1988. After his first 3 terms as mayor, Eduardo was replaced by son, Dondon. Then he made a comeback and was Mayor again for 9 years. In 2010, after completing yet another 9-years or 3-terms, he was replaced by wife, Vilma, the incumbent. This elections year 2013, he is running again to reclaim his old post as mayor.

His grand plan, if he wins again, would be to retire and anoint son Reginald to succeed him. And who is this Reginald “RD” Dimacuha? Like his father, RD is a lawyer. Because Eduardo has little trust in his wife’s ability to run city hall, RD is appointed Secretary to the Mayor. It is common knowledge that he is actually running city hall, upon his father’s instructions. So Vilma in effect is just the titular or ceremonial mayor.

  

     Copied from Bading Dimacuha's blog

Evidently, this setup did not escape the eyes of many observers that it has become a butt of joke. Bading Dimacuha in his blog http://batangascityleaks.blogspot.com, a parody of the famous Wikileaks in America, produced hilarious insights in the city hall and even the personal life of the Dimacuhas. As an example, Vilma would formally open meetings, but RD would do all the talking. According to Bading’s blog, Vilma would sit quietly, nod her head as if in agreement with RD, munch food to her gusto, and leave the meeting to RD.

Obviously, the Dimacuhas have felt a sense of over confidence, similar to a business owner. Treating Batangas City as a family corporation resulted to complacence and even disregard to people’s sensibilities.

Then the mother of all scam exploded: Vilma and RD, who is supposedly a classmate of the lawyer representing a power company that owes the City about P9.9 billion in back taxes on real property, agreed for a settlement of only P 990 million or a scandalous 10% of the total obligation - practically a write-off for such a big multinational. And they had the nerve to get the City Council to ratify the same. Of course they easily got what they wanted because only the vice mayor and 3 councilors refused to ratify the agreement (http://batangascityleaks.blogspot.com/2012/11/kalaboso-sina-mayora-at-bakla.html). In other words, Dimacuha once again applied his secret weapon – the tyranny of the majority (and he is the majority stockholder so to speak).

Council ratification of the controversial tax write-off 

So the rage of the people starts to manifest, with the modern technology used as the jumping board, because it is safer for the opposition to be incognito in the face of a fierce dictator. Readers began to search for the truth, shared information using pseudonym and aliases, while the others who get the information pass the stories through whispers and sarcastic jokes.

People look at 2013 elections as the best way to repudiate the Dimacuhas. Various surveys indicate the Joe Tolentino is leading anywhere from 10 to 18% of the votes. His running mate, Bart Blanco is way ahead Dimacuha’s running mate, Eloisa de Loyola-Portugal, daughter of former Dimacuha nemesis, Florencio, who for one reason or another suddenly made a turn-around and allowed his daughter to become a Dimacuha stooge.

So the question that hangs in the air is “will Dimacuha win?” I share an educated guess that NOT BY ANY CHANCE!

All the odds are against him. First, he is ailing, and can no longer afford to bear the rigors of the campaign. Second, while he has the largesse of a campaign kitty, they are not enough to rebuild his credibility. Third, even with all the advantage that he has – resources and firepower – technology has coped up with his antics. Yes, he cannot manipulate as he used to, the new electoral automated system entirely.

People should no longer be afraid because he could never monitor whom they voted for, even if they accept all the money, house materials, groceries and lately, even chicks and chickens, so they can shade the number of Joe Tolentino, without fear of reprisal.

And reprisal he would not be capable anymore after May 13, 2013 because he has already made plans for his escape from ignominy. Such will be the fate of a hated dynasty!

No, don't get me wrong - I am not campaigning for Joe T. We never talked. But he is the rallying point of CHANGE IN BATANGAS CITY, that her people deserve, a long time ago. I root for change, and Joe T is circumstantial. He will have all the chances to do good, but if he doesn't, I will not hesitate to join forces that will be against him. We will be vigilant of his administration, but support all the good he can do. Let us just give him a chance.

No more Dimacuha dynasty. Palayain ang Lungsod ng Batangas! 

Readers may contact me at bmacalalad@hotmail.com (threats will be gladly entertained!)

REPOST: Eddie Dimacuha’s ex daughter-in-law – Kristine G. Balmes Part 3

first posted on MAy 28, 2013...

For 25 years, the Dimacuhas of Batangas City, headed by patriarch Eduardo, have been in power since 1988. After his first 3 terms as mayor, Eduardo was replaced by son, Dondon. Then he made a comeback and was Mayor again for 9 years. In 2010, after completing yet another 9-years or 3-terms, he was replaced by wife, Vilma, the incumbent. This elections year 2013, he is running again to reclaim his old post as mayor.

The first political challenge to Dimacuha happened in 1998 (erroneously mentioned as 1997 earlier), after his mandatory third term. His son, Angelito or Dondon, was first councilor, and he wanted to make sure the latter would succeed him so a comeback would be easier. The elder Dimacuha enlisted the support of practically all the viable influential families in the city, and gave some of them a place in his slate. To his surprise, a relatively unknown young lady candidate from the Gonda-Balmes clan, Kristine Balmes, emerged as top councilor. Of course, that can pose a threat to his comeback. But the young Balmes was soon swooned to her feet and fell in love with Dondon. They later married, bore a daughter, and eventually separated. She is now running under Liberal Party, an opposition to Dimacuha, to reclaim her council seat.

Kristine Balmes, a beautiful and young promising leader topped the council elections under Reporma, party of then Batangueno presidential bet Rene de Villa. Dondon Dimacuha won, as neophyte mayor that city hall was actually being run by his father, Eduardo, who had his own office space inside the Planning Office, but accessible via backdoor from the mayor’s office.

Many saw a political future for Kristine then. She could be the next vice mayor or even mayor. Her becoming a vice mayor would be a nightmare to the Dimacuhas because they could never be sure if she would bow to their wishes. So there must be another way.

Dondon courted Kristine, and the rest is history. They separated later after siring a daughter who is with Kristine. Last news about Dondon is that he settled somewhere abroad, remarried and has a new child.

It could have been just another love story, but it also undermined Kristine’s political career, albeit halted her momentum, and forced to be a quiet observer for a time.

Then in 2010, she resurfaced, not as a candidate, but as deputy provincial campaign manager for the then struggling Liberal Party of Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas in Batangas (struggling because they were in opposition to the hated administration of strongwoman Gloria Arroyo). As history would have it, Noynoy won as President.

Kristine could have asked for any job that could propel her to popularity, but she did not. Instead she quietly assisted presidential sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada in social development work as Batangas Coordinator of the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation.

Now comes elections 2013, and with all her strong presidential connections, Kristine could have asked to run as vice mayor at the very least. Why not when she had been a top councilor already? But she did not. She must have imbibed the humility of her late grandfather, former Board Member Ding Gonda. Instead, she opted to make another run in the City Council.

In her campaign, she avoids being linked, or say anything about the Dimacuhas. Pressed to comment why she did not run under her ex-biyenan, she would politely say that she never was politically affiliated with the Dimacuhas in the first place, and that she is committed to the Aquinos (considering the connections).

Such is the humility of the person. She must have been through a lot, and probably know about the Dimacuhas more than anyone, but she would rather be herself again – the idealistic Kristine Gonda Balmes, committed to true public service. 

-to be continued-

REPOST: Eddie Dimacuha and his Batangas City Incorporated Part 2

first posted on May 27, 2013...

For 25 years, the Dimacuhas of Batangas City, headed by patriarch Eduardo, have been in power since 1988. After his first 3 terms as mayor, Eduardo was replaced by son, Dondon. Then he made a comeback and was Mayor again for 9 years. In 2010, after completing yet another 9-years or 3-terms, he was replaced by wife, Vilma, the incumbent. This elections year 2013, he is running again to reclaim his old post as mayor.

Now, the question is will he win again or will there be a dramatic leadership change in Batangas City?

As mentioned in the previous part, a bravado attempt to unseat Eduardo Dimacuha as mayor came in 2007. Mayoral candidate Florencio de Loyola and running mate Wawing Chavez, lambasted Dimacuha like it never happened before. For the first time, people heard someone speaking the unthinkable and of what would have been otherwise unspeakable – that Dimacuha was a corrupt dictator, smuggler, drug dealer, killer, etc. People were awestruck at such a brave front put up by the opposition, but it did not translate into votes. Either the people did not believe, so awestruck with either fear or admiration of the man, or they simply did not care for as long as they could get favors from city hall.

Dimacuha knew too well that to succeed in consolidating his power, he should start with City Hall. So his first agenda were to neutralize, if not to maim any opposition, perceived or otherwise, by removing authorities and powers from department heads and key officers he feels were not subservient to his wishes. This was the case of Engr. Adela Hernandez, who for a long time was on floating status when she was unceremoniously replaced to head the City Engineering Office by a lackey, Januario Godoy. But Adela’s patience all these years paid off, when she was finally reinstated recently.

Having controlled city hall, Dimacuha started running Batangas City with an iron fist, utilizing the legislative power of his rubber stamp City Council which passed practically all the ordinances and resolutions he wished, including traffic and terminal regulations that favored his or associate’s properties; raised taxes and levies; and instituted tight control on businesses to ensure that they toe the line with his administration. Some enterprising old rich families such as the Pastors collaborated with him in expanding the city’s bounds, offering their properties which eventually favored them. Dimacuha himself got a prime property in Pallocan for a gasoline station when he agreed to relocate major offices, including the Hall of Justice in the former idle and flooded land that has now become the new city center where SM and major hotels and establishments are now located. Earlier developed areas such as Calicanto were abandoned resulting to the practical death to business such as what happened to Caedo Commercial Center. But other areas are aggressively developed such as Balagtas where transport terminal is centralized, to the chagrin of many who observed that it only favored Dimacuha son’s business.  On the side, he entertained the people with his cultural and social programs, and mesmerized the poor with his once a year community outreach programs providing city hall services in the far flung areas including free health services, frowned upon by development professionals for being palliative, unsustainable and meant only for political circus. He won the support of the religious and cultural elite like the Borbons and the Castillos, even the church, with his strong affinity to religion and culture, utilizing the popularity of beauty contests, fiestas and sublian to his advantage. 

But being a strong, charismatic and astute leader, Dimacuha wants continuity. And by continuity, he meant managing the city like his own private company. So Batangas City Incorporatedwas born in 1997 when he was replaced by his son, Dondon. And on, and on, until now. City hall has become a family business. A dynasty is perpetuated for 25 long years.

But one only hears the whispers of public displeasure of Dimacuha’s leadership. Not until recently when enterprising journalists and netizens started circulating stories, pictures and even humor and sarcasm that issues came out to the fore. A good example is a blog page of a certain Bading Dimacuha (http://www.facebook.com/bading.dimacuha) that served as a springboard for many others to follow and openly attack the Dimacuhas through the social media. Another no-nonsense lady journalist, Mei Magsino, who is affiliated with national and international mainstream media openly exposes City Halls anomalies. Excesses of the family are exposed such as the supposed controversial compromise agreement entered by mayor Vilma Dimacuha and her son with a power plant for a measly 10% of the company’s total real property tax liability (http://www.philstar.com/business/2012-12-16/886476/compromising-real-property-tax-liabilities).

                                                Photo from Bading Dimacuha blog

So one wonders, will the people of Batangas City allow this dynasty to continue? Is this a Batangueno trait? Hard to say, because Lipa City is a classic good reference. Yes, they allowed Vilma Santos-Recto a good 9 years in office, then she became Governor. She was replaced by a one-termer Gozos, then by Sabili who is probably losing this elections. But Santos-Recto and Dimacuha are beyond comparison. For one, Vilma Santos-Recto did not perpetrate her husband’s family in office; and second, she is immaculately clean from corruption issues, much less of political violence. 

So a baffled observer like me asks– where to Batangas City? Are you giving Joe Tolentino a chance or what?

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- -      - To be continued - 

       By the way, thank you for reading my posts. I am overwhelmed that almost 700 read me. Thank you.

REPOST: Eddie Dimacuha and his City of Batangas

first posted on April 26, 2013...

For 25 years, the Dimacuhas of Batangas City, headed by patriarch Eduardo, have been in power since 1988. After his first 3 terms as mayor, Eduardo was replaced by son, Dondon. Then he made a comeback and was Mayor again for 9 years. In 2010, after completing yet another 9-years or 3-terms, he was replaced by wife, Vilma, the incumbent. This elections year 2013, he is running again to reclaim his old post as mayor.

I came to Batangas City in 1986, as a first year college student in Lyceum , and have since witnessed the transformation of Batangas City. But this transformation is not necessarily attributable to strongman Eduardo Dimacuha, because luck was on his side. Under President Cory Aquino, local governments were strengthened and given more autonomy, especially in raising and managing their own revenues, plus the fact that cities such as Batangas City enjoys a sizeable share in the national government’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). And Batangas is so blessed to have so many big business locators that the city’s income from real property and local business taxes alone are more than enough to propel the city to greater heights, probably ten-fold that what it has achieved under the Dimacuhas if fiscal and development management were done correctly, instead of fattening one’s own business interests.

Eduardo or Eddie Dimacuha is a very charismatic leader, and if you are in good graces with him, you will not find difficulty seeking practically any help from him. He is easy to talk with, and hardly says no or deny anyone a favor or two.

But while he shows off a very amiable personality, a lot of people are also aware of his hideous reputation – a large clan from both sides of the Berberabe and Dimacuha families who are reputed to have the capability to exact revenge by all means; a huge business network in port, hauling, gas dealership, real property and other businesses; and alleged arsenal of firepower that include both able men and arms. And he has vast network in the police, military and even port authorities.

The first political challenge to Dimacuha happened in 1997, after his mandatory third term. His son, Angelito or Dondon, was first councilor, and he wanted to make sure the latter would succeed him so a comeback would be easier. The elder Dimacuha enlisted the support of practically all the viable influential families in the city, and gave some of them a place in his slate. To his surprise, a relatively unknown young lady candidate from the Gonda-Balmes clan, Kristine Balmes, emerged as top councilor. Of course, that can pose a threat to his comeback. But the young Balmes was soon swooned to her feet and fell in love with Dondon. They later married, bore a daughter, and eventually separated. She is now running under Liberal Party, an opposition to Dimacuha, to reclaim her council seat. (More of this later).

So for the past 20 years, Dimacuha looked like invincible, and no one dared to challenge him, until his former Vice Mayor Florencio de Loyola, with the support of another formidable family, the Chavezes, made an attempt in 2007 to unseat him. But not only luck was on Dimacuha’s side; so were the people wary of a weak successor in de Loyola, whom they fear could be manipulated by his running mate, Councilor Wawing Chavez. Besides, Dimacuha has made sure he had practically 95% of the kapitans on his side, and elections then could be easily manipulated, either by controlling the barangay leaders and teachers managing the elections, or switching the ballots. Without the support of barangay leaders, plus the physical terrain and distance of many barangays from the urban center, who could have dared to spill the beans of cheating and electoral fraud during those times?

So the comeback for the elder Dimacuha in 2000 was a walk in the park, so to speak. And many thought that since Dondon has since lived in oblivion abroad, Dimacuha would retire at the end of his term. But that is not in the plan, so he made his wife Vilma to run as barangay captain and handily defeated a performing kapitana whos roots are from Romblon. Then Vilma became the kapitana of all kapitans or President of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) making her a member of the City Council, giving her a lot of leeway to be involved in city affairs other than being first lady. So she became mayor herself in 2010 replacing the husband who just finished his second third term in office.

Now visibly old and ailing, Dimacuha is making yet another comeback. His former ally, although he had won many times as an independent candidate, Jose or Joe Tolentino, the incumbent vice mayor is challenging Dimacuha for mayorship.

                                           Eduardo and Vilma Dimacuha at the Comelec, 2013

Will he win again or will there be a dramatic leadership change in Batangas City? That will be my next topic. 
-to be continued -