Think about it
Sison’s scintillating and bothersome news
By Jun Velasco
“The Philippines became the fastest growing economy among Asian countries during the first quarter of the year…“Philippine Daily Inquirer May 31, 2013 headline’s lead sentence
NEWS headlines Friday were orgasmic about our Philippine economy, yes, yes, believe it or not, trouncing China from the totem pole in economic growth lately.
When we came across this fantastic news, our first reaction was that of pride… sighing, ang daang matuwid is really bearing fruit, congrats, President Pnoy.
But later, anxiety for the good news could slide past and fast.
Why? Because there is a looming war threat from both Chinas, Big Bully and angry Taiwan for you know what.
Let’s pray that the unusual economic indicator will last and translate into real terms that would uplift Filipinos’ lives.
* * * *
A couple or so months back, we chanced upon former Rep. Mark Cojuangco at the UP Diliman beside the Oblation after our chats with VP Popoy de Vera and Prof. Marrot Flores.
Mark told us he was brushing up with his research on nuclear energy in connection with his ardent, if controversial, advocacy for the Philippines to use this “dreaded” but cheap power source.
For a long time now, we have been misleading information about nuclear power. It’s one reason we’ve been stuck in the doldrums.
Probably not so anymore, as the recent headlines shop. We hope. And so if Mark and the other nuclear advocates will have their way, this is now the best time for a turn around for the economy.
* * * *
Thursday afternoon, after Press Sec. Sonny Coloma administered our oath as a trustee of FAMAS, re-elected president Angelo Padua told us about a recent feat made by his elder, councilor-elect Domingo Padua in Sison, Pangasinan.
Doming, says, Angelo, bested the Cojuangcos’ candidate and landed 2nd in the winning council slate, together with his partner Edgar Jovenal, who landed 5th in a race dominated by NPC chair Cojuangco’s bets.
“All the pressures known to man were brought upon us,” says Doming who, like Angelo, are sons of the late Arturo Padua, former Sison mayor and board member of Pangasinan, “but we won,” he adds exuberantly.
“We are in the Opposition in a Cojuangco country,” says Doming, as he expressed hope Mark, who is presumed a statesman, will give them elbow room to exercise their brand of politics — enlightened opposition.
As kingpin, Mark is expected to be a man of wisdom because, who knows, adds Domingo, he could be our next governor now that Spines is graduating.
“But as of now,” says Doming, “we are being ostracized, a role we don’t relish. But we are not exactly unhappy about it because our role gives us the best opportunity to hone our spurs for heroism.” Whatever that means.
He laments though that the Cojuangcos’ multi billion-cement plant in Sison is not paying enough taxes.
“The town gets only P15 million, when it should be paying more than P100 million,” says Doming.
* * * *
Sison’s local officials owe their positions and livelihood to the Cojuangcos, says Domingo, “while we, myself and Councilor Jovenal, are on our own.”
The other town officials, who were unopposed, are Mayor Mina Joy Pangasinan; Vice Mayor Ben Marinas; and Councilors Nora Ventura, Padua, Eric Biazon, Fereddie Lagmay, Jovenal, Marlon Saturno, Benzon Aquino and Jose Opilas.
An agriculturist having graduated at Araneta University, now DLSU, Doming is married to the former Josie Adan, incumbent barangay chairman of the poblacion.
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