Think about it
Pincoy Duque gets to the top again!
By Jun Velasco
“We have to learn the lesson that foreign States will never put our interest above their interest.” — Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno.
OVER lunch Thursday at #61 Tamarind Street, Forbes, former Speaker Joe de Venecia gave what world leaders should be doing if they really mean to give peace a chance and allow life in this world to go on.
Alarm bells have gone berserk with some local know-it-all politicians dragging the United States into the Spratlys fray, ignoring the feelings of giant neighbor China which has the nuclear capability of blowing up our tiny country to spite the US.
We share Joe de V’s proposal to get all countries with claims on Spratlys to a dialogue and allow the joint use and development of the islands and even drill oil thereat if they want it.
Those who insist that the islands belong to the Philippines and that we fight for “our right” is irresponsible hubris, risky and irresponsible. We have seen US-based Filipinos goading the US to go tough on China whom they’ve charged of playing the Big Bully to inflict fear on the small ones like the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam who are Spratlys’ neigbours.
We wonder why the issue which should be handled by experts like JdV are allowing hotheads to pollute the air. We hope the President steps into the picture while there’s still time.
In other words, why won’t he tap JdV’s skills who, after all, was the first to hack the joint use and dialogue idea.
Other than that, the Spratlys is a swinging Sword of Damocles that could chop the heads of leaders and bring humankind to an abrupt end.
* * *
Dagupan folk are surely delighted by the many big billboards with the beauteous picture of topnotch Councilor Maybeline Fernandez and her Sanggunian resolution to honor model families in the city.
A noble and laudable measure.
But in light of the number of billboards in many sections of the city, one gets a feeling her handlers are more than promoting the selection of model families. They might have the mayorship in mind.
We could see erpat-in-law Alex’s dimples and hubby Michael’s disarming smile.
Let’s hope uncle Al Fernandez, the clan’s political patriarch, is consulted.
If the set-up is to go to its logical end, we see a deep political realignment in the Fernandez camp. You see, Councilor Alfie Fernandez is not relaxing in keeping erpat’s full, complete and absolute confidence in making political decisions.
How would you factor in the other Fernandez, whose dramatic rise to Dagupan’s power game can no longer be ignored? You said it. We’re referring to Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez who has been on upfront against Mayor Benjie Lim?
Confusing, as of now.
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To fellow Pangasinenses wondering whatever happened to former Health Secretary Pincoy Duque, here is good news.
No doubt the most popular health secretary the country has had, Dr. Francisco Duque III is back in dynamic form. No, not at the DoH, but at the helm of the country’s Civil Service Commission.
Last week, the CSC was conferred the “Governance Trailblazer Seal,” for achieving the highest compliance rating at the Performance Governance System Revalida.
Under his leadership, the CSC got a rating of 9.03 over 10.
It will be recalled that as Health secretary in the past administration, Pincoy ran the DOH with the highest degree of professionalism and consistently topped all other government department heads in poll ratings, seducing power brokers to groom him for a senate seat.
But being level headed – plus the counsel of brothers then Lyceum Northwestern Chancellor Salvador, now deceased, and tycoon Cesar and political tactician Gonzalo, begged off and give the Lakas congressional slot instead to Police National Police Director Pol Bataoil, who won.
When he accepted the CSC post, cynics thought he would be a square peg in a round hole. He proved the cynics and critics wrong. The recent award proved that he is versatile, has a passion for service, has a flair for achievement, and a team player. When asked to comment on his latest well-applauded performance card, he said: “We shall make the CSC a leading center of excellence for strategic human resource and organizational development.”
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