A billion robbery in Tondaligan

By Gonzalo Duque

IF YOU were reading the local papers, you’d think the political setting in the 3rd district is reaching fever pitch.

There is the much publicized birthday party of Bureau of Customs Deputy Commissioner Gallant Soriano in the family residence in San Carlos City in which  a supposed political ally, incumbent Congressman Gener Tulagan was unusually snubbed.

Of course, you would not expect incumbent Mayor Jolly Resuello to be in the guest list, although he is not eyeing the congressional post.

Resuello’s son, Vice Mayor Julier, is a declared candidate for mayor with his erpat as vice mayor.

For a while, the Sorianos and the Resuellos were buddy-buddies. There was hardly a day you did not see Mayor Jolly and former Mayor Douglas Soriano breaking bread together, with the former lavishing the other with “overflowing love.”

The Resuello-Soriano romance was bound to break though because Douglas is a declared contender for mayor against Ayuy, while Jolly will run for vice mayor under Ayuy against his

 former vice mayor Harry Cagampan.

The congressional fight is now a free zone among Gallant, Jun Tulagan, Mayor Leo de Vera of Bayambang, lady charmer, Rachel “Baby” Arenas and if the rumor mill is true, General Reynaldo Velasco.

It is still a confusing scenario, but my forecast is that the final ticket will narrow down to Rachel Arenas and one of the gallant (not necessarily the Customs official) gentlemen. Wanna bet?

The feverish positioning in the district was somewhat dampened by a recent photo that appeared in the local papers showing  Rachel and Leo de Vera, flanked by Mayor Resuello, former Mayor Lito Zaplan, Mayor Roy Macanlalay, Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino and  “da promoter” former Mayor Bebot Villar. The set-up was meant to defuse the political tension showing everyone smiling, but of course, deep inside, someone was praying to the rival “tamaan ka sana ng kidlat!” 

There you are. Matira ang matibay. Best wishes to the winner (in the congressional race) and condolence to the loser. Ganyan lang naman talaga e.

*         *       *

From the files of a former Tondaligan “People’s Park” administrator, I saw a disturbing  document from DENR Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi directing the regional executive director in San Fernando, La Union regarding the redevelopment of the parcels of land reserved for parks and playground under Proclamation No. 98 dated March 26, l963 situated in Dagupan City.

“Referred herewith is a letter x x x  seeking intercession regarding several requests involving the parcels of land reserved for parks and playground” to conduct an investigation on alleged ILLEGAL SELLING (caps mine) within the proclaimed area and its accretion; resurvey the park and  the accretion and the latter’s integration to it.”

The letter sought the issuance of another proclamation redeveloping the park and playground into a tourist attraction.

The Gerochi directive further sought action from the DENR office in the region and to inform the authorities’ in accordance with laws, rules and regulations.”

 Interviews made by this columnist have ferreted out an estimate by responsible officials that illegal parcels of land  have been sold in the amount of millions of pesos through the years, and how this abuse has been going on with impunity should  surely mean there was a collusion among local and national officials. I understand the selling and buying of the government property could hit multi millions, if not, as someone who knew how to count, contended, something like a billion pesos.

I call upon the government officials who are privy to this gargantuan robbery of a national park to shed light on this. I was informed that some local elective and appointed officials in the city had acquired dirty hands on this account.

Better clean up, gentlemen and possibly some ladies, you have been abusing the   “hospitality” of Speaker Joe de Venecia whose residence’s frontage had been parceled out illegally to private hands. Ang bibilis nyo naman, ang kakapal ninyo!

I am not exaggerating. This should be the most disturbing crime in our midst. Grabe na pala ang nakawan at winalang bahala ng mga ganid ang butihing Speaker who did not know what’s going on in his backyard because his mind is focused on national and global problems.

 Manong Joe, take a look at your own backyard. This abuse is no longer a joking matter. Hindi lang pala milyones ang involved but Billions! Makapagiwgiw! 

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/playing-with-fire/)