And it seems, based on the blog entry over at Filipino News Network (http://www.filipinonewsnetwork.com) that Shalani Soledad has, reportedly, some skeletons in her closet.

First, we found out that during Shalani’s stint as the front desk officer of a hotel, she became the “apple of the eye” so to speak of some politicians, whom, as some hotel insiders who know her said became “her boyfriend”. Reportedly, these politicians showered Shalani with gifts while the young and comely girl reciprocated with her charming “gifts” in return.

To be fair to her, Shalani kept boyfriends who are out of the political limelight. Two of her classmates, say that when she was studying at St. Benilde, she had at least three boyfriends.

Now, let me be very up front—I have nothing against Shalani. I don’t know her. I have not seen her personally.  I don’t care about her relationship with Noynoy nor do I care about her manners or character. I don’t know her and this is based just on research.

Moving on. When Shalani worked for Governor Leandro Verceles, there were rumours that she was reportedly the governor’s most favorite staffer. There were incidents, according to some government employees, linking Verceles with Shalani…romantically. That ended when Shalani worked as the Executive Staff of Senator Ping Lacson and where Shalani met Noynoy Aquino. And that also explains, as some people from the capitolyo said, why Shalani only worked for Verceles for about a year only.

Some say that Aquino and Senator Ping contributed to the electoral victory of Shalani as the Number one councilor of Valenzuela. She started as a councilor under the slate of Mayor Guni and won. The last elections however, Valenzuela residents said that Shalani reportedly “sold her soul” to Win Gatchalian, the incumbent mayor of the city for ” millions in campaign contributions”. She won as the number one councilor and talk has it that she’s gunning for a Congressional seat.

There’s also nasty talk that Shalani, again according to some residents of Valenzuela, had an affair with Valenzuela mayor Sherwin Gatchalian. I tried to validate this but it seems that this is more of tsismis rather than fact. Even before Shalani entered politics, she already was the fiance of Noynoy, so it is impossible that she kept another relationship. Besides, Gatchalian’s known girlfriend was Eat Bulaga’s mainstay Pauleen Luna.

But, talks are ready getting louder and some Valenzuela residents say the reason why Luna and Gatchalian broke up was because of a third party and that’s—-Shalani Soledad.

Pauleen threw a supposed “jealous fit” when she got the information that her boyfriend, Valenzuela mayor Win Gatchalian had “dates” with Shalani. There is no other info after this.

That explains the reluctance of Shalani to grant journalists interviews because, as some Valenzuela residents again allege, there’s a chance of media “discovering” things about her.

Are these true? Based on research, these are verifiable information from numerous sources. Again, this is not political mudslinging since this, I believe, will not impact on the presidential campaign of Senator Noynoy Aquino. But, then, again…

The City of Valenzuela is bounded by Meycauayan on the north; upper Caloocan City and Quezon City on the east; the City of Malabon on the south and southwest; and the Municipality of Obando on the northwest.

Its global position is between 14”39’ N latitude and 120”54’ and 121”02 E longitude. Highest elevation point is 38m above sea level, average elevation of 2.0m above sea level, with a surface gradient of 0.55%. The slope is level to gently undulating.

Valenzuela has a total land area of 4,459.4 hectares, or 44.59 square kilometers. With a population of 561,992 as of the year 2006 and a Population Density (2006) – 11,582/ sq.km

Since becoming a city in 1998, Valenzuela’s economy has flourished and its population has swelled significantly.

The Municipality of Valenzuela – the gateway to the north is now Valenzuela City – one of the country’s premier business and industrial centers.

HISTORY

Seen from the sky, the City of Valenzuela is like a giant eagle spreading its majestic wings, poised for flight.

And, soar into the future, the city does.

Since its establishment as an independent town in 1623, what was formerly known as the town of polo had undergone many radical, and sometimes, even painful changes.
Polo was an idyllic center of agriculture and fishery carved from the town of Meycauayan, Bulacan. The town acquired its independence through the efforts of Father Juan Taranco and Don Juan Monsod
The chapel of San Diego de Alcala, and its now famous belfry, was completed in 1632 and became the town’s center that stood witness to countless battles during the Spanish, American and Japanese occupations.

On July 21, 1960, President Diosdado Macapagal signed Executive Order No. 401, which led to the creation of the Municipality of Valenzuela, aptly named after its most renowned hero, Dr. Pio Valenzuela.

Because of the rapid growth of the greater manila area in terms of population, as well as social and economic requirements in the early seventies, and the municipality’s proximity to the area, Presidential Decree Number 824 was issued on November 7, 1975.
P.D. No. 824 created the Metropolitan Manila Commission and led to the separation of the Municipality of Valenzuela from the Province of Bulacan.

As part of the Greater Manila Area, Valenzuela’s economy flourished and its population swelled significantly.
Wide open spaces, two major highways traversing the municipality – Mac Arthur Highway and the North Diversion Road (now North Luzon Expressway, or NLEX), its proximity to the center and being the gateway of the metropolis to the north make Valenzuela a choice location for business and industry.

The social and political upheavals of the seventies and early eighties did not dampen the pulsating economy of the municipality.

It was, in fact, a golden age in the History & Culture of Valenzuela when businesses and industries in the municipality grew rapidly.
In 1986, a new socio-political order swept the entire country. The four days of the EDSA People Power Revolution were marked by an outpouring of love, anger, hysteria and courage by a people fighting for change and renewal.

The restoration of democracy in the country also brought about a paradigm shift in national and local government relations.The passage of the Local Government Code in 1991 unlocked and marshalled the repressed energies of local communities. The Local Government Code provides genuine and meaningful autonomy to enable local governments to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities.
It was during this time that Valenzuela began charting its own destiny and moved the local economy in the direction it chose.

On February 14, 1998, then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act No. 8526, converting the Municipality of Valenzuela into a highly urbanized city, making Valenzuela the 12 th city in Metro Manila and the 83 rd in the Philippines.

The Municipality of Valenzuela – the gateway to the north is now Valenzuela City – one of the country’s premier business and industrial centers.