Think about it
DZXL’s interview with Ebdane
By Jun Velasco
“In the end, the test is not about doctrine or dogma; it’s about the voices of children crying out long after their childhood.” –Time on Pope Benedict XVI
A STUDY in contrast.
As we go press, we came across two magazines with contrasting themes.
The venerable “Time” has this cover with head, “Why Being Pope Means Never Having to Say You’re Sorry (The sex abuse scandal and the limits of atonement — sub-head).”
Part of the Time story quoted Pope Benedict XVI, “I’m truly sorry” for the many sex scandals committed by Roman Catholic bishops.
The other magazine with masthead Iglesia Filipina Independiente recalls the United States government’s act through the Treaty of Paris that dis-enfranchised the IFI. Its first bishop, Gregorio Aglipay was dubbed the Martin Luther of the Philippines.
It reported that despite all machinations to crush it because of his links with the Katipunan and the Philippine revolution, the IFI has succeeded in rallying the poor and the downtrodden to Christ’s campaign for love of the poor and the dispossessed.
* * *
Several friends, relatives, co-workers of former Public Works and Highways Sec. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., have asked us about the news headlines in Manila with all the derogatory reports about him.
In fairness — since only scanty material came out in the Pangasinan media — we sought him out to clear the air.
What he gave was a transcript of a radio interview.
But first, we report that the former top cop of the country retains a persona that sharply debated with what we were getting from the media.
Instead of a wrinkled face, the never-say-die new governor of Zambales showed a sober, witty, humorous persona, dishing out optimistic views.
We wondered if he was not masking an inner turmoil.
“Sikat ako,” he said.
Seriously now cumpadre, we said.
He started to talk about his tormentor, his own marital godson he fired for serious misconduct as chief of police of Zambales.
You see, as soon as he took over the reins from former Governor Amor Deloso, Jun quickly went to work like a hungry tiger, devouring the massive dirt — literal and figurative — that had accumulated in the province.
The dilapidated infrastructures got a massive face lift, nay speedy reconstruction from the state of shambles such as the damaged highway and bridge of Botolan, hometown of Deloso. Probably he did it as a thank-you gesture because he beat the native son (Deloso) there.
You wouldn’t appreciate the raw challenge Ebdane has faced in mostly rural Zambales unless you compare it with the premier province of Governor Amado Espino, his junior in the Philippine Military Academy.
Having established “whistle blower” Rafael Santiago’s lack of credibility, we hinted why he wouldn’t file a libel suit; he said he didn’t want to dignify fairy tales.
Judging from the avalanche — or deluge — of all this anti Gloria rhetoric, we decided to reproduce his unedited recent interview with DZXL.
Ebdane, by the way, is well known to Dagupenos whom he served as their “best decorated chief of police in the early 70’s,” says former Dagupan police officers association president Ramon Rosario, and much admired by Pangasinenses he served as provincial director in the early 90’s.
His fondness for the province is shown partly by his marrying a San Nicolas beauty in the person of the former Alma Cabanayan.
We translated in English this DZXL interview:
Q: What happened in Zambales in your first year?
E: I’m enjoying the many problems, but we have started doing many things about them. But we really need the help of every one after the elections from any political party. It’s better that we help one another. You know, Zambales is a poor province. What’s interesting is that the sand (lahar) that came out of the eruption of the volcano (Mt. Pinatubo) which killed several people is turning out to be a blessing for the province. If you return here after 3 to 5 years, you’d be surprised at the difference we are doing; in 10 years, we’d overtake our neighbors.”
Q: On the election cheating as alleged by Rafael Santiago.
E: That’s a good subject, but there’s already an ongoing investigation in Congress. I can only talk in the proper forum. But it may be proper to ask what good would it do to us? All these boil down to personalities and perceptions, but I can say with head up, everything that I’ve done or am doing was and is in the service of the nation. As you know, so many hands are already on the issue, and our detractors are increasing because they have money to spend, while we are still recovering. But it’s okay, it’s up to the public to judge, and I assure you, that after the investigation, I’ll tell you everything.
Q: Your message to your constituents.
E: To my province mates, I know that you have been waiting for reforms and progress, and I have been doing everything that’s humanly possible. You understand that we need much money, we have many problems, we are still paying the huge indebtedness incurred by the past. But we are doing everything to attract investments. My fellow Zambalenos, I need your understanding; we need more subsidy for health, education and housing. Starting this September, we’ll start selling the massive lahar, which suddenly appeared from the bowels of the earth, but the mountain of sand is more than what our province needs.
Yes, dear provincemates, we have to sacrifice, but as we go through pains and tears, I’m sure that a bright day will come.”
The other part of the interview was about his work at the PNP when he was its helm, which may not interest our readers.
Suffice it to say that the guy seems unperturbed by what appears to us as damaging election issues, and he goes about his work as governor with aplomb.
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