By Ferdinand Fabella

Former Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and present Mayor Aldrin San Pedro are at loggerheads over bank loans, presaging a heated local race in next year?s polls.

Touted to make a comeback after serving out his three terms in office, Fresnedi chided his former vice mayor for incurring debts amounting to P2.271 billion since assuming office in 2007 with the imprimatur of the city council.

?The resolutions were clear that he was given the authority to secure loans,? he said.

But San Pedro said his predecessor?s claim was unfounded.

?It?s amazing where Atty. Fresnedi got his figure, which ironically could be loans and borrowings made during his term and the unaccounted funds he never reimbursed after he lost in the election,? he said, in a statement, actually referring to the spouse who ran against him.

Fresnedi said council records would show that Resolution 07-008 authorized San Pedro to take out a P1.5-billion loan from Land Bank of the Philippines to build a new city hall in Alabang, following the 2007 fire that gutted the old building, along with other projects.

Noting that the national government donated about P50 million to rebuild the city hall, he said a resolution passed in November last year authorized San Pedro and city treasurer Nelia Barlis to withdraw the remaining approved P23-million stand-by loan from LandBank.

Fresnedi, in his statement, listed a P103-million loan to buy three brand-new fire trucks (approved May 12, 2008); P35.55 million on July 3, 2008; P20 million for a rescue truck (approved Sept. 15, 2008); P228 million loan on Nov. 13, 2008; and P150 million to finance the relocation and establishment of modern government centers along National Road, Tunasan (approved Dec. 8, 2008).

San Pedro said the city was in the black because of the drive to lure investments to Muntinlupa, realizing revenues of more than P2.7 billion, more than the alleged indebtedness Fresnedi claimed.

?On the contrary, the city government with the full support of the bipartisan council [is] perfectly working to provide all the essential services, including livelihood and job opportunities,? he said.

?We cannot afford to overspend or borrow more money in this difficult time.?