Enough lip service

 

LAST week, the national attention on the campaign against illegal drugs was focused on Pangasinan but all because the activities for the observance of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week were held in Dagupan City. The activities should remind our political leaders that there is more to be desired, and to be done about our illegal drug problem.

Recently, Board Member Amado “Pogi” Espino III sponsored a resolution reactivating Anti Drug Abuse Councils in both barangay and municipal levels in Pangasinan. It was hailed as a significant step towards eliminating illegal drugs. But we don’t see it gaining traction anywhere unless and until a specific course of action accompanied by budget support and a committed political leadership in all levels are in place. With no expected output or tangible targets in mind, the Espino resolution is another play at lip service.

Depending on Mr. Espino’s agenda, he may have wittingly or unwittingly found an advocacy that could finally create an impact on the consciousness of the Pangasinan electorate, enough to make him governor on his own merit, not simply as the son of the “greatest governor.” Is he willing to take his resolution 3 notches higher? By this we mean, will he consciously and methodically lead a serious campaign against illegal drugs in the barangay level as the head of the province’s Federation of Liga ng mga Barangay. We are talking about him taking stock of the situation, collaborating with the barangay kapitans, PNP, PDEA and NGOs that lead to the arrest of drug lords and pushers, rehabilitation of users and addicts. Will he keep a scorecard?

Can he be the protector of the young vs. the vicious drug lords? If he can, the province’s parents will undoubtedly rally for him!

 

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Who won?

 

BY withdrawing from his Nov. 27debate with Sen. Trillanes, did Vice President Jojo Binay even score a psychological victory?  Or was it Trillanes who won?

To be sure, Binay received flak with his surrender as people keep saying he was the one who hurled the challenge to debate with Trillanes.  If his move to back down was not cowardice, how should he explain his withdrawal?  When Binay raised the white flag even before the word war could begin, some have started to call him from Jojo Binay to Joke Binay.

“He is not afraid to lose,” said Trillanes of Binay.  “He is afraid of the truth.”

Truth.  Isn’t truth the true winner here?  Truth being that Binay has been avoiding all this time to confront allegations of graft and corruption lodged against him?

Truth will set Binay free.  Trouble is, Binay seems allergic to truth.  Otherwise, he would not have balked.

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