In quest for the truth, justice and peace of Bacolodnons, several people from various sectors of the society have voluntarily bonded together and called themselves advocates to save Bacolod.

Thus the launching of SAVE BACOLOD MOVEMENT (SBM) yesterday at the press conference at Bar 21 Resto, in Bacolod City. The Movement is represented by businessmen, civic leaders, professionals, women, workers and ordinary citizens, who are committed to protect the city against graft and corruption, greed for power and other forms of political abuses by government officials whose interest is to perpetuate themselves in public office.

The convenors include Suzette Nebril - barangay leader; Karen Rose Salazar representing NGO; Ed Villanueva - for civic leader and former commissioner of the Games and Amusement Board (GAB); Romy Niere - media practitioner; Rodolfo Frias, businessmen Boy Zayco and Joseling Abello.

According to Nebril, she joined the Movement because she likes its objectives which jibe with her ideals in community leadership.

Boy Zayco said, SAVE BACOLOD Movement is composed of groups whose members want to save Bacolod from those with false picture of utter negativity in the present government and have engaged in sabotage for the self-serving purpose of building up their
favored politician.

SBM battles and fights against the emerging culture of hate campaign, libelous, unbridled, unverified and baseless media tirades, repeated presentation of slanted “half-truths” thereby mislead the public.

They pledged, “we are responsible, peace and freedom loving citizens of Bacolod City who care so much about the greater interest of our city and people.

We are ready to join any movement or activity to protect Bacolod against abusive, obnoxious and power-hungry government leaders.

We believe that government officials who have committed mistakes or any wrong doing must be duly made accountable, especially in their illegal use or personal amassing of public funds instead of spending it rightfully for government projects.”

The convenors also believe that “it is our inherent responsibility towards Bacolod, the only place we have, and the city we love so much, to defend it against oppressive and bully politicians who are blinded by their insatiable desire for power and money.

Together, we unite to assert our rights for truth, justice and peace as Bacolodnons. So we voluntarily sign the manifesto as declaration of our sincere commitment to the crusade: LET US SAVE BACOLOD.”

Niere defines S as “supply the right and factual public information about anomalies and scandals involving local government officials.” B for “battle in all forms of graft and

corruption, black propaganda, deception and misinformation campaign; and M as “make Bacolod FREE from plunderous and power-hungry politicians.”

On the whole, SMB is an acronym for Save Bacolod Movement, Sagip Bacolod Movement, Sa Bacolod May bukas ka; Save Bacolod from MONOcracy; and Sagipin and Bacolod laban sa MONOkrasya.

For their initial plan of action to Save Bacolod, the Movement will initiate filing of charges against erring government officials; launch public information campaign against graft and corruption; and, protect and promote TRUTH, JUSTICE AND PEACE in the 2010 elections in Bacolod City.

As of this writing, no politician has reacted to this Movement.*