Playing with Fire

By November 22, 2010Archives, Opinion

A pat on Usec Baraan’s shoulder

By Gonzalo Duque

AT the grand alumni reunion of the San Beda Law College last Wednesday, our very own Toti Baraan stood out as an honoree for his appointment as Justice undersecretary of the Aquino government.

Being an old buddy, he made us proud. In our little talk, we told him that his exalted position should be a privilege for him to be able to help the province in so many ways, particularly securing positions in the Philippine judiciary for fellow lawyers in Pangasinan.

There are many vacancies in the local salas of judges, fiscals, and others for which our local lawyers could be harnessed, we told him, to which he nodded approvingly.

A highly esteemed lawyer with a progressive mind, Toti was active in the presidential campaign for then candidate Noynoy, but we don’t mean that he got his post because of the campaign.  Back in his college, high school and elementary grade years, Toti was already a standout. He is well deserving, and we heartily congratulate him.

One of the good Pangasinan lawyers we mentioned is our much admired law Dean Joven Maramba, whose wife, Babes, is an RTC judge in the province. We saw our past Rotary Club of Uptown Dagupan president Rebene Carerra , but missed  Bedan Jojo Guadiz.

One time in the gasping days of the pre-martial law era, local press club president Jun Velasco was the graduation speaker of the Dasol Catholic Academy at the invitation of its president, Rev. Isabelo Velasquez. Jun told us he saw a lean young man upfront of the graduating class, valedictorian, his name, Francisco Baraan. The theme of his speech was if reforms were impossible to achieve, they should not hesitate to go to the hills. Toti was seen musing deeply, Jun said.

In college and in his early years as a lawyer, and even lately, Toti was Bayan chairman of Pangasinan.  Could he have been influenced by the progressive rhetoric of the times?

Guest of Honor of the San Beda lawyers was no less than President Noy who, like her mother, was accorded honorary honors by the college. He was a great speaker.

Toti introduced us to his boss, the feisty Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, now the most popular Cabinet member of President Aquino.

In his speech, former Executive Secretary Avelino Cruz recalled the high school days in San Beda of Ninoy Aquino who was an absentee in class   probably by virtue of his early years as an active greenhorn reporter of the old Manila Times. But, by golly, said Cruz, he was always topping the class.

It was an exhilarating night for Bedans, and we, a fellow alumnus, were a very pleased with it.

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Did you know that the most popular personality in the sport world these days is our very own boxing icon – the greatest boxer that ever appeared on the planet – is Manny Pacquiao?

Why is he great? If you ask us, it’s due to his inner character as a humble champ.

As you must have observed he always did the sign of the cross in the ring. He’d kneel before and after every fight win or lose. During his bloody showdown against Margarito, he showed pity. He was even looking at the referee to stop the fight when his foe was about to crumble down.

Ibang klase itong si Manny. Kaya mahal siya ng mga tao, lalo na ang mga Pinoy. He always dedicated his victory to the Filipino people. Kaya laging panalo. Congratulations, Manny.

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On our way to the airport last week, we came across a news item in an American tabloid that said the Republicans were digging the past of President Barrack Obama. They claimed that Obama is not a natural born American. They claim further that he was carefully hiding that fact in all these years. If he is found out, he would get the full might of the law.

The demolition job on Barrack continues. That’s demon–crazy form all of us.

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