Ani is in Dagupan. Don’t say ‘naani la!’

By Gonzalo Duque

THE following is a medya medya lang affair, the lighter side.

I was watching USA TV of Belen Fernandez one evening, and I almost fell on the floor when I saw the regular coverage of the Sanggunian Panlungsod session, featuring the councilors or clown-cilors.  

Many of them deserve that description.

I am dismayed to witness that some of the not-so-smart Sanggunuian miembros love to put political color in my column. Sige kayo.

They are always asking kung ako raw ay tatakbo sa eleksyon . .

Simple lang ang sagot ko and it is this:  pinag–iisipan  pa lang ng  mga kalaban, lalong lalo na sa mga napipikon sa akin.

Relax lang, enjoy the moments.

Subokan nyo muna ang masarap na  longganisa ni Pipoy sa Atanor.

Mix  vinegar na pinakurat ng Bacolod grill —  ang  sawsawan ng bayan.

Masarap!

* * *

Now the serious part of the business.  The ongoing investigation on the Tondaligan affair  in the Sangguniang Panlungsod  is taking a funny turn.

I saw my favorite friend, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, on local television — a question and answer program. He was monopolizing the discussion. 

Ano kaya,  agagui ra, ako ba ay pinagbibigyan  nila o alam ba   nila ang  dapat nilang  gampanan  para sa kapakanan ng mamamayan?

Let me bring your attention to those thick volumes of damning evidence former Tondaligan Administrator Ani Lagao has brought out in  the open to unmask the raging controversy  on the patently illegal  selling of lots in the  National Park called Tondaligan People’s Park — from  Bonuan Gueset, Bonuan Boquig to Bonuan Binloc.

Ani Lagao has been meeting with prominent national officials in connection with a complaint he has filed against certain persons who have been selling Tondaligan lots illegally.   I must warn my detractors   for  their alacrity to  debate with me  as if they have a chance to  beat me on an issue that has been exposed to national DENR officials and  other top national  officials including Speaker  Joe de Venecia whose  front yard was not spared by the robbers. Hoy, for your information, hindi pa maharap ni Speaker ito kasi kasalukuyan siyang nasa gitna ng political turmoil na kung tutuusin ay pangunhing protagonist ng charter change. (That is another topic that I will discuss in the next issue, hopefully.)

No less than Sec. Angie Reyes has given Mr. Lagao the proper   advice on how to go about the problem, I heard.

If I were my enemies, I will, for damage control, get to the bottom of things instead of using misleading rhetoric to confuse the public. Pronto, they should invite Ani Lagao, who has an expert and comprehensive grasp and knowledge of the Tondaligan issue because he administered the area for many years, thanks to Mayor Benjie Lim, although my grapevine says they have become less friendly lately. 

Ani has already brought the documents on the tables of public officials in the highest councils of government and also the media (have you read his letter to the Punch editor last week?). He told me he is more than willing and ready to face anyone on the issue of the Tondaligan. He will show the public that millions or, hep, hep, a billion peso worth of Tondaligan property masquerading as private property sold to private hands and some government officials.

Ani knows Tondaligan by the palm of his hands, and has the documents to pin down the culprits. He has shown me the documents, and as a lawyer I say this, delikado ang mga may kinalaman dian. 

I worry for those who might think they have succeeded in eluding public censure. To be sure, may mga pangalan na bubulagta sa publiko, at medyo magkakahiyaan diyan.

But the public interest requires this expose, and I implore the Sanggunian to act with  honesty and responsibility.

Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.

*        *         *

Up to  now, I can’t understand why they still  have to apply with the DENR to develop the controversial property into an eco-tourism area.

My  guess is that those who have benefited  from the sale of  the property will be the same people who will  be granted the right to have a hand in the area topped by those using dummies so as not to be  identified (hopefully ha?).

Wa-is kayo ha?  What a way to circumvent the law!

What about the Schindler’s List, I mean, Ani Lagao’s List? Many familiar names I saw vividly.  They, indeed, have applied for tax declaration? Unbelievable? Better see it for yourselves.

The connivance of the vendors with the DENR and local officials including those in the assessor’s office can easily be established.

Malaking scam ito I tell you.

Sorry if I am hot on the trail. Sana because it’s almost Christmas, wala ng expose, ano? But my antagonists have been hitting me all the time. Sige kayo.. 

 In the meantime, man-halo- halo ti ni. And may I advise my detractors, especially Alvin, not to shoot the messenger!

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

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