Think about it
Go for it, Mayor Belen!
By Jun Velasco
“Teaching children to count is not s important as teaching them what counts” E.C. –McKenzie
WE had a tough time doing this column.
Last Friday, the Punch’s deadline, the city was a sad victim of a 5-hour brownout which somehow affected writing this column, but it gave us the best time of our life to visit beloved nanay in Barangay Malued, with brod Ptr. Boy, giving us precious company.
We were meaning to take a Muslim-friend to Mayor Belen Fernandez first hour in the morning, but city assistant Dada Sinlao didn’t tell us the time and how.
Our introducer to Guialoson Kadir Macmod, 52, Alex Sapigao, son of the late Asingan Mayor Francisco Sapigao, swore the former MNLF field commander affectively helped then Police Provincial Director Isagani Neris decimate by 80 percent notorious dealers of illegal drugs in the province about a decade ago.
It was the shining glory of police effectiveness against criminality particularly its most dreaded tentacle (drugs) in the province.
Macmod, now a resident of Bayambang town by his marriage to a former Miss Cayabyab, correctly sensed we wanted to help Mayor Belen succeed in her governance and good-naturedly offered his support.
It is a well-known fact in Dagupan that in the fight versus illegal drugs, a sitio in Bonuan known as a Muslim community is a crucial factor.
Macmod, who is not given to wild boast, has convinced us he has a formula to make the city government score dramatic success on this account.
Much has been known about BTF’s nationally recognized initiative to crash illegal drugs—thanks to Secretary Bebot Villar and the Dangerous Drugs Board.
This one (Macmod’s formula), we believe, will drive the last nail on the coffin of illegal drugs in the city. Go for it, Mayor Belen!
* * * *
It is encouraging to see those tarpaulins for Vice Mayor Brian Lim on the Philippine Jaycees now headed by a lady, Christine Garcia after the successful term of Ryan Ravanzo, and Brian as area vice president for Luzon.
We want Brian to be upfront, stand tall as a brilliant city official like his father, former Mayor Benjie Lim, and refute the string of charges against the past administration. To be smug amidst the charges won’t help him, his father and advance his political plans.
We remember our days in the Philippine Jaycees as public relations officer of national president Chichos Luciano who a year later became world president, after our stint as editor of the Leader, official publication of the Philippine Jaycees, and earlier, editor of the award-winning The Medium, official organ of then united Dagupan Jaycees.
JCism is the young’s clearest window to leadership in the community and country and the world.
We hope Brian is able to blend Jaycee and city politics well.
* * * *
At press time, we received a text message thus, “If ex Rep. Mark Cojuangco has confirmed his gubernatorial bid, it’s but proper for party mate, Gov. Amado Espino Jr., to state his cards as a gentleman party mate and political warrior.
At the very least, the Governor should be proud that a Cojuangco is interested to be his successor. I have nothing against the idea of grooming his son, Pogi, to be his successor, but in fairness, he must be candid enough to say so.
We thought Spines has shown his cards all too clear which in effect says “may be the best man win!”
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NOTES: McDo in front of UPANG-PHINMA is fast becoming a favorite watering hole not only of well known coffee addicts—but also of faithful couples the likes of San Fabian Board Member Jaming Libunao and his pretty wife, former Mayor Irene Libunao, and Law Dean Hermogenes Decano and his beautiful wife, retired RTC Judge Alice B. Decano, parents of two brilliant (may pinagmanahan) lawyers, city administrator Farah and Clarence Decano.
We remember newly elected mayor Jaming inviting us for a cup of coffee at Leisure Coast for a tip on how to run his town effectively. After that, all we heard about him are his successful stints as mayor and board member, but none of the talent fee …… Kuya Genes Decano, younger brod of McDo’s lawyer—laureate, former Vice Mayor Alex, reminded us of the pre-Martial law days when we were neighbors at the defunct Dagupan Supermarket where he debuted as a young lawyer and tatay as a fledgling laundry and dry cleaning shop manager… Under OIC principal Acela Callejo, the Malued Elementary School, producer of outstanding alumni, is continuously going great guns. Beauteous Acela more than fills in the dainty shoes of principal Marilou Llamas who is in Alberta, Canada.
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