Playing with Fire
Rotarians also want Benjie and Belen to reconcile
By Gonzalo Duque
AT the Rotary night at the Dagupan plaza, most of those we met and talked to endorsed our column last week about reconciling Mayor Benjie Lim and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez “for the good of the city.”.
Everybody knows the war between the two due to business, political, and probably personal reasons.
It’s a good thing Councilor Jess Canto, the hermano mayor endorsed the idea, ditto with with Councilor Red Erfe-Mejia and his father POSO Chief Robert Erfe-Mejia. They were all for it.
We said they should thank Coun. Chito Samson who good- humoredly floated the idea although in a joking manner. Chito said “mag-intsikan lara so that they could understand each other.”
Joking aside, the reconciliation proposal has its strong merit. Chito might have put it in a joke but the intention was serious, in fact, noble.
Mabuhay ka, Chito! Magdilang anghel ka sana…
We are lucky because all the Rotarians we talked to endorse the reconciliation idea.
For how can you dispute a great and noble idea.
Political unity in Dagupan City will definitely redound to the accelerated growth and progress of Dagupan. Not only that, it will enhance the image of our leaders especially Benjie and Belen.
As you well know, the basis of their rift and disunity is business and, therefore, selfish aggrandizement.
Magbago na kayo, Kumpadre Benjie and Kumare Belen!
If you two are united, it will mean Happy New year for all Dagupenos!
* * *
Somebody was chiding us for writing often about the newly formed Pangasinan Historical & Cultural Commission (PHCC). He said, “wala ka na bang ibang topic?”
We replied that the creation of the PHCC, definitely a crowning glory of the Espino administration, is a historic development.
Our being its appointed chairman is purely coincidental. We will be hypocrite if we would downplay its historic significance just because we are on the forefront of this landmark development.
We are re-stating our gratitude to Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. for his encouragement and support so that the commission would be realized — and for establishing permanently the foundation date of our province, April 5, 1580.
You must have read the good words of our publisher Ermin Garcia, Jr. about it. The fact of the matter is, it was Ermin who inspired us no end to push for it to its logical conclusion. We also remain grateful to the provincial government including its two erudite lawyers in the provincial board, Jaming Libunao and Alfie Bince who along with Board Member Ranjit Shahani authored the ordinance mandating the establishment of the PHCC.
Salamat lamet,t and Happy New year to one and all!
