Punchline
Let PNoy finish his term
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
THE news that six of our legislators, five district representatives and a partylist, is obviously an effort of the Malacañang allies to counter attempts in media that President PNoy is losing political support as a result of his mishandling of the Mamasapano massacre, and the invention of the DAP earlier..
Personally, I do not share the sentiment that PNoy should step down. He has no reason to do so and has not committed too serious a crime to be dropped like a hot potato all because he was not being truthful about the scenarios that led to his series of fumbling. So, he dropped the ball like an idiot once but it certainly is not enough to condemn the man to oblivion.
In fairness to PNoy, he made great strides that lifted the country from the doldrums, from the era of transactional governance of President Gloria Arroyo. I credit the successful campaign of his administration to blunt the snowballing corruption to his appointment of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales as Ombudsman. He took a big gamble by appointing her because he knew she would not be controlled by political interests.
Sure, there are still pockets of corruption that continue to thrive but there is one difference perhaps unknown to many. The Ombudsman has been indicting public officials, rightly or wrongly, with a zeal never seen. (A rare exception of a misguided ruling I felt was its decision on the black sand mining). It now dares to look into allegations of corruption involving the Vice President himself. This was unheard of.
Then there is appointment of Mr. Rogelio Singson as DPWH secretary. He who dared put the corrupt contractors to the side, leaving their political patrons to shame.
Then there were economic reforms and initiatives that earned the support of regional and international finance institutions. Government borrowings for white elephant projects stopped soon as PGMA stepped down.
So give the guy a break. PNoy must be allowed to finish his term.
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THE BBL. The only question that remains uppermost in most everybody’s mind is: How will PNoy end his six-year presidency.
Specifically, that question will be answered by how he will handle the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, whether it becomes law or not.
Will we see an intransigent PNoy? Or will we see a consultative leader? So far, he has not shown he is prepared to listen to further debates about the implications and impact of the BBL on the nation. He continues to dig in, in spite of the series of constitutional issue that already present a formidable opposition to its passage. If it loses, will we see him ranting and point fingers on who to blame like he did on the Mamasapano incident?
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ACCOUNTABLE REPRESENTATIVES. As I see it, PNoy will likely use another “DAP” to lure congressmen and senators to his side. But will our six congressmen bite and succumb to his bidding?
It would be well for our six honorable representatives to know that they will be made to account for their actions in the face of the numerous legal and moral issues already being propounded at this time, particularly the question and the propriety of making the MILF the sole and primary guardian of the BBL.
Their constituents will watch their actions and movements about BBL and media will help them discern the motives for their actions – whether it is for the people’s interests or themselves and the blessings that a new “DAP” will bring.
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TRUTH OR LIES. The letter of Mr. Alfredo Dawana to The PUNCH (See Punch Forum) citing and explaining what he claims to be the truth about himself and the rumor that he owned and operated an illegal fish pen, is much too serious to be pooh-poohed and ignored by the Fernandez administration.
Mr. Dawana has come forward with a very serious claim and charge that he is not only being discredited but claims that his own fish cage was destroyed by the City Agriculture Office’s crew. He maintains it was a fish cage that was aimed at helping prove that Ms. Fernandez’s vision is correct. So one wonders now, if Mr. Dawana is true to his word, what could have been the motive behind the destruction of his cage?
Mr. Dawana, it appears is still adamant in his claim that there are still a number of illegal fish pens operating around the island barangays notwithstanding a claim by the mayor herself that she believes there are no more illegal fish pens (from the account of Ms. Molina, naturally).
On the other hand, if Ms. Molina says, he’s lying through his teeth, then she owes it to Mayor Belen Fernandez, who has manifested full trust and confidence in her, to challenge Mr. Dawana to a face-to-face confrontation of facts before a panel of media to determine finally, who is telling a lie and who is telling the truth.
It would be worthwhile for Mayor Belen to step back and allow her trusted official, Ms. Molina, to speak for herself and prove that, indeed, she deserves the mayor’s trust. After all, it’s still her privilege to decide whether to keep Ms. Molina should stay no matter how the confrontation will end.
Personally I would like to see Ms. Molina prove Mr. Dawana wrong once and for all! If, however, for some reasons of her own, she still refuses to confront Mr. Dawana’s truth or lies, I pray the city councilors would see the wisdom of calling both to a confrontation during a regular session (or a committee hearing) and arbitrate to put an end to this distraction.
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Happy Easter to all…To God be the Glory!!
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