Punchline

No more Mr. Cool Guys?

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

SOMEBODY punched a hole in the dam…and the oodles of money leaking out from the jai-alai operations are taking its toll on friends and allies in the Capitol!

Just when I thought nothing could set Guv Spines and Bokal Alfie apart, the image of Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang loomed large towering over them, with a sneer on his face, gloating over his influence and impact on local governance.

From my vantage point, I deduce that both Guv Spines and Bokal Alfie are actually in the right about their respective claims about what is legal and what is appropriate about the sudden invasion of Mr. Ang’s numbers game.

When Mr. Bince filed his resolution early on opposing the entry of jai-alai off-fronton betting stations, he simply did what was expected of a legislator. The provincial government must know whether such an operation can be deemed legal even without the benefit of a local franchise from the provincial board. (In fact, knowing his alliances with mayors and the Guv, I initially doubted whether he would even pursue his resolution to its logical end – a committee hearing.  Thank God, he proved me wrong). Today, he is right to complain and ask why his resolution is not being acted on by the committee headed by the Guv’s brother, Amadeo. Indeed, a committee hearing could have clarified the legal status of the operation of Mr. Ang’s Meriden Vista Gaming Corporation and whether it was entitled to the business permits from the towns.

On the other had, Guv was also right in his position that unless otherwise ruled by the court, the mayors cannot deny Mr. Ang a business permit. He also defended the police for not going after the operators here since these are deemed legit.

If both are right, what could have possibly brought on the unusual outburst from the Guv and a quick retort from the Bokal?

Methinks Guv felt alluded to as the unnamed public official who is exerting pressure on Bince to go slow on his resolution. Then, there was reference to his brother who failed to act on Bince’s resolution in the provincial board. Then the ugly word “morality” obviously touched a raw nerve in the Guv’s system.

I am not certain where this word war will lead to but am hoping that the provincial board will take that step to help clear the air by scheduling a public hearing on the legal status of Mr. Ang’s operations. This will be helpful and instructive for the benefit of the people who are cynical about the presence of the betting stations, and for the Guv, board members, the mayors and the police who are already being suspected of being on the sly for readily patronizing Mr. Ang’s gambling operations.

The hearing should establish whether 1) The betting stations can be allowed to operate in Pangasinan without the benefit of a franchise; 2) The authority of CEZA extends beyond its boundaries and substitutes for a local franchise; 3) The provincial board can legally require Mr. Ang to secure a provincial franchise as mandated by law; 4) The court-issued restraining order against Games and Amusement Board apply to the provincial government; and finally, if Mr. Ang’s operations are deemed legal, how much will the provincial and municipal governments earn from the operations?

Of late, the Guv already crossed swords with Mr. Rosendo So of Abono, his major political supporter, now Mr. Bince.

Mr. Cool Guys, no more, huh, Guv? Bokal?

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TO BE OR NOT TO BE OFFICIAL. Last week, the Dagupan city hall trumpeted the introduction of a new seal for the city government.  The new design incorporated everything what the city is all about.  That was meant to be the good news.

Now comes the bad news. Just like with the other issues of city hall, the status of the seal has also become debatable. According to the city hall, it observed the guidelines set down by the National Historical Commission in adopting an official seal and therefore it is deemed official. But the city council maintains it is not enough to make it official.  For it to become official, an ordinance declaring it as the official seal of the city must be had.

The council’s position makes legal sense because nothing becomes law or official in any democratic country unless the issue goes through the legislative mill. One only has to refer to the design of the national flag. It is official only because Congress passed approval on it and was subsequently enshrined in the Constitution.

So methinks until Mayor Benjie Lim submits the new seal to the authority of the sangguniang panlungsod for official adoption, all we have is a seal design that was picked to win in a citywide contest.

But given his mood today and his “divided responsibility” vision that has already taken roots, I doubt if he will even consider asking the “pesky” majority to pass the ordinance at this time. It’d not be farfetched to think that he would wait for 2013 when he hopes to win a reelection with his team as the majority in the city council than submit anew to this council’s authority. My sense is he’d rather wait.

I’m afraid that for as long as Mr. Lim has a problem dealing with any authority in the city other than himself, the city it seems will always have to deal with contentious issues endlessly.

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FOI AND P’SINAN’S REPS. The Freedom of Information bill at the House of Representatives continues to hang in the balance. It was, in fact, the Lower House that prevented the FOI from becoming law in the 14th Congress.

I note that the province’s congress representatives have been ominously quiet in their positions as well on the issue in spite of their pronounced policy that they will not countenance corruption in all levels of government.

The FOI is a critical and significant tool to combat corruption, particularly in local government units. Without the FOI in place, town and barangay officials will always feel justified and would not be the least concerned if they stonewall any attempt by a constituent or media to have access to public documents.

Once the FOI is in place, a local government official, including mid-level functionaries, would think twice before agreeing to be seduced to join a conspiracy to defraud government knowing that anyone can and will know soon enough of one’s involvement because public documents can now be accessed.

So, what say you Representatives Jesus Celeste, Leopoldo Bataoil, Rachel Arenas Gina de Venecia, Kimi Cojuangco and Marlyn Agas? Are you with our people in combatting corruption?  Your constituents would like to know.

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THE THREAT TO THE RIVER CRUISE. One always gets an exhilarating feeling today when looking out at the unobstructed view of the expanse of clear water flowing up and down Pantal River, no longer hindered by ugly fences and poles of fish pens. You are guaranteed this feeling when walking to the top of the Pantal Bridge on the De Venecia Extension Highway.

But this early, one can also begin to detect the ningas cogon habit rearing its ugly head after a clean sweep to clear the river of debris. Floatables like empty plastic bottles, containers and wrappers are again making a comeback, thanks to the lack of commitment of our environment enforcers in the city and in the barangays to their mission.

With the looming lax enforcement of city’s environmental and sanitation rules, the Lim administration can kiss the touted river cruise program goodbye sooner than we can dream of its success. Nothing easily spoils a good thing like showcasing a clean environment than to see a bunch of garbage debris, i.e., old discarded thong slipper, empty water bottle, etc. floating listlessly with nary a care by the river cruise boats’ operators. This was the case of a cruise last Wednesday morning.

High tide kasi,” was all that the operator could say to explain the presence of the unsightly floatables. But did he try to fish out of the river those that crossed his boat’s path to help preserve cleanliness?

Next question, please.

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