DAD, FORMER COUNCILOR CALL OUT GO ALLY ON DYNASTY CLAIM

April 12, 2025 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

Councilor Jose Molintas and former city council member Phillian Weygan -Alan called out a Mark-Soledad Go ally for labeling them as part of political dynasties. The two called out Pastor Ricardo Bugalawis, who previously ran as councilor under the Go ticket, branding it
as “a grossly disrespectful attack” on their respective family, “particularly coming from a supposed servant of the Lord.” Molintas, an Ibaloi, added: “It is an insulting slap in the face to us Ibalois, Igorots and the original Baguio peoples.” Molintas comes from two
families who served in Benguet.

His uncle Dennis Molintas was a World War 2 hero who served as governor of the then Mountain Province that included Benguet. He later served as congressman and governor of a separate Benguet His maternal grandfather and namesake Jose Mencio, also a war hero, also served as Benguet governor. He wrote: “Importantly, neither my grandfather nor my uncle enriched themselves as public servants and did not allow their children to join politics, demonstrating their commitment to a meritocratic system.”

His late brother, Raul “Rocky” Molintas, “followed in our family’s footsteps by entering Benguet politics’.” The brother was elected board member in 1992, then served as governor for three terms. Councilor Molintas ran and won in 2004. In 2007, he chose to run for Congress
opposite Rep. Mauricio Domogan in an effort to end the latter’s monopoly of Baguio politics. His brother ran for governor but, like him, lost. It was the second instance when brothers ran for the top posts of Baguio and Benguet.

The Bugnosen brothers were successful with Jaime winning as vice mayor but elevated to the top post when Ramon Labo was removed from office due to citizenship issue, while Andres was elected governor of Benguet. He further wrote: “My family’s story is a celebration of individual achievements, not a blueprint for dynastic control.”  He also belied in the “Igorot and Ilocano values demand moderation and respect.” He wrote: “We believe in ‘ansan’ – that too much is never good.” He added “We call out ‘nansekang’– the shameful ambition of grabbing power without regard for consequences.”

He further said that Igorots share blessings, and not eat too much since others need to eat also, as “wise people should ensure everyone gets their share when resources are scarce.” He wrote: “These values are the bedrock of our democracy. We believe in fair and equal opportunities for all to serve in public office, especially our younger brothers and sisters who strive for excellence, spent years in education to become professionals, and are now ready as public servants.” Molintas then shifted his attention to the Go couple with Rep. Mark gunning for mayor and wife Soledad seeking to replace the husband.

He wrote: “The Go family’s simultaneous bid as mayor and congresswoman is a blatant affront to our democratic principles. Baguio has never tolerated such unbridled greed. Their ambition is a power grab, not a service to the people. It’s an insult to us Baguio peoples, as if we do not have other qualified people who can fully safeguard our rights.” He likewise assailed Reo. Go for the revision of the city charter which he said as “a manifestation of their deliberate and deceptive attempt to favor their real estate business, disregarding ancestral land rights and favoring the BCDA at the expense of the 13 barangays within Camp John Hay who are clamoring for exclusion from BCDA coverage.”

He then said that the efforts of Bagalawis is an attempt “to justify this blatant power grab at our expense. It’s a betrayal of the very values they claim to uphold.” He added: “The Go family’s ambition is a recipe for disaster. It will lead to monopolization of businesses, concentrated power, and rampant nepotism, all while favoring the elite and neglecting the needs of the poor. Their ambition will choke off
opportunities for others to serve, and ultimately destroy the very fabric of our democracy.” He said: “A dynasty is a breeding ground for vote buying, goons, and guns, as we see in provinces controlled by political dynasties.”

A Pastor, An Educator, An Economist Weygan-Alan, meanwhile, said Bagalawis’ assumably done research that branded her family as a
political dynasty is false, untruth (in caps). Her response to “a public response to a public insinuation” by calling that the service rendered by her family was a sacrificial service. Her father, Galo, had “sacrificed time and resources meant for family and gave that to the city of Baguio. Public service became a priority as he missed some graduations and birthdays in the family.” She added that her late father would sell a property every election to fund his campaign “because he believed that he has much to share for the city of Baguio rather than preserve it as an inheritance for his children.” She wrote: “Sharing an Inheritance is not dynasty. Legacy is not dynasty.”

Weygan-Al