Think about it
The Fernandez enigma
By Jun Velasco
“Justice delayed is worse than injustice,” Jewish folksong
IT’S unbelievable!
There’s more than meets the eyes in a report that Councilor Alfie Fernandez, son of political mogul, former Mayor and Bureau of Immigration chair Al Fernandez Jr., quit his tandem with re-electionist Mayor Belen T. Fernandez as the LP’s “pambato” in next year’s local elections hereabouts.
Is not Belen (her real name is Belen Lim) an adopted daughter of the Fernandezes?
Fact is Al Fernandez was Belen’s political tutor and sponsor; ditto with former Speaker Joe and Rep. Gina de Venecia.
We heard of some nasty events that led to Alfie’s withdrawal. The guy must have felt bad he had to say “enough already!”
This development that must have drawn smiles from mayoral foe Manang Celia and re-electionist Mayor Brian Lim – tends to eve n up the mayoral rivalry in Dagupan.
Good for democracy.
* * * *
That column with head “Toff’s congressional run may seal erpat’s presidential dream” has a ring of pragmatic realism.
Like erpat former Speaker Joe De Venecia, Toff is a journalist (editor of Philippine Star’s page for the young). More, he is a stage artist.
With his exposure to media and marination under JDV and congressman mother Gina, Toff will easily cruise to political stardom in the national level.
* * * *
Governor Spines was missed by some 3,000 fisherfolk who participated in the Lambat-Sibat Volunteers program under the auspices of the Federation of Pangasinan Fisherfolks Association held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Wednesday. On hand to give the governor’s message was Vice Governor Ferdie Calimlim, who did his job with aplomb.
The seminar was jointly skippered by the brothers Colonel Policarpio Cayabyab, head of the Regional Maritime Unit, and Ulopan na Sumisigay ed Dagupan, Inc. headed by President Ronnie C. Cayabyab, who was inducted president of the federation, and vice prexy Apring Dawana.
The idea is to “clean the Lingayen Gulf and its tributaries of illegal fishing methods like what Com. Connie Perez denounces as frequents “bong-bong” fishing along the waters of San Fabian and Bonuan, Dagupan City.
It will be recalled that Espino as provincial police director literally led the demolition of fishpens in Binmaley and Dagupan.
Binmaley was cleared; Dagupan, not yet, fully.
* * * *
After listening to Philippine Communications Operations Officer Undersecretary Jose Mari Oquinena, concurrent Philippine Information Agency director-general, at the Pangasinan Association of Government Information Officers (PAGIO) headed by Col. Ferdinand “Bingo” de Asis, we felt that P-noy’s media is up to par.
We were swapping text messages with Sec. Sonny Coloma during Pagio’s meeting at the City Museum headed by Dagupan PIA chief Venus Hortaleza-Sarmiento (pretty and brilliant daughter of our former NMPC partner (the late) Behn Fer Hortaleza, Jr.), and Regional Director Jennilyne Role.
When he was at the helm of PIA, former Binmaley Mayor Joe Fabia, now a COA commissioner and this writer guested at a Davao media conference. His speech said government media need not be defensive, that it can compete with private media in skill and message.
Usec. Oquinena’s off-the-cuff albeit inspiring talk, ennobled the audience.
A tough challenge facing the group is how to handle the 2016 elections muddled lately by unpresidential candidates.
Under Coloma and Oquinena, government info work is in good hands.
* * * *
DCNHS President Manny Roy is reminding everyone concerned to coordinate with him at his cp 0932-844-4668 on the much-awaited Alumni Nite on Dec. 28.
Dec. 28. Is also JDV’s 70th birthday bash at the Sampaguita Pictures.
See you there!
* * * *
INSPIRING SPEAKER. Region 1 Medical Center’s more than 1,000 staff/personnel led by Dir. Roland Mejia were inspired no end by former Health Secretary Francisco “Pincoy” Duque III Thursday at the Stadia for citing their heroic work as public servants.
The hospital’s workforce couldn’t have had a better speaker in this “giving” season.
Pincoy was the multi-awarded DoH secretary until he was plucked by the President to head the Civil Service Commission in 2007.
Among the guests were Pincoy’s brod Punch columnist Gonz Duque, DoH Asec. Elmer Punzalan, former Board Member and Mayor Dado Gubatan, Mayor Sammy Rosario, Vice Mayor Manny Casupang, Dr. John Rosario of Nazareth Hospital.
(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)
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