By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

OK, here we are… the campaign period is on. Unlike in boxing that has a few rules that referees watch out for, electoral contests in our country have a hundred and one rules that are either unenforceable or no one is interested to see these enforced.

The boxing referee always points out to two pugilists before the ring bells for Round 1, “Do not hit below the belt… do not hit behind the head.”

But during campaign period, voters no longer look forward to dance-and-sing entertainment but bizarre entertainment that pits candidates hitting each other with salacious tidbits below the belt and behind the head!  Not a few wait for candidates to talk about blind items, exposing other candidates’ dark secrets.

Voters nowadays cringe and laugh when they hear their candidates poke fun on their adversaries. They are bored when candidates talk about their platforms and proposed programs that they know are not taken seriously by the candidates themselves.

So, lets’ stop wondering why we have corrupt elected officials every time because it’s really what we deserve as a community. We got our entertainment for 3 months, they are getting theirs for 3 years!

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RANTS EXPOSE INCOMPETENCE. The rants of Dagupan Mayor Brain Lim over the continued delay in the  passage of the 2022 budget only further exposes his incompetence and belligerence as a corrupt public official.

He can rant and accuse the city council which his mother belongs to, every day imputing ill political motives but the facts and truth about the issue will not change.  It comes down to the question, who is complying with rules and laws for good governance, and who is not. Didn’t he learn that as a Jaycee?

Obviously, Mr. Lim doesn’t want to be made accountable for his future official acts as he dispenses public funds like there were from his ATM accounts. 

Worst hit by the unacted budget are not the daily public services as he wants to everyone to believe but the projects that he doesn’t want to be made to account for.

The city government employees know the score, particularly, the PIO. No one believes that it is the councilors who are playing politics at their expense.  In fact, they are praying that the city council will not crumble and feed the mayor’s ego and those of his four deputies.

Mr. Lim will be confronted with his worst nightmare when he realizes that he was led by the nose by his own trusted lieutenants who made him believe that the city hall employees are backing him in his political fight to have his way with the budget. 

He can be sure that the more he cries wolf, the earlier the insatiable wolves around him will desert him in no time.

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PANGASINAN IS LEFT OUT. The NCR is already on Alert Level 2, and Pangasinan is considered already a moderate risk by OCTA.

I hasten to point this out because the relevance of the IATF Resolution 101 that prevented Pangasineneses from traveling to and fro Metro Manila directly is already passe. Recall that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) via the Land Transportation Regulatory Board (LTFRB) objected to the withdrawal of the resolution because the objective of the resolution initially was to compel the use of Integrated Terminal to better control and enforce health and distancing protocols.

But given today’s situation, why is the DOTr still invoking the IATF resolution today, further preventing Pangasinenses to access NCR directly, even after the terms of the use of the North Luzon Express Terminal owned and operated by the Iglesia ni Cristo are being rejected by the bus companies?

At the same time, I hope Health Sec. Duque can soon turn the table and thwart the conspiracy of the DOTr/LTFRB soon.

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IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE OF PRESIDENTIABLES . Watching the KBP Presidential Forum, I can only say “Sorry ka na lang, Bongbong!” He lost the chance to shine and make his vision clearly known and appreciated.

The methodology adopted enabled all the presidential aspirants to express their views, preferences and thoughts about current issues. The questions were not cleared with the organizers and solicited responses were spontaneous. 

The performance of the five were impressive. They were all prepared, knowing that how they perform will have an impact of their standing in surveys.

Understandably, Sen. Pacquiao could not be expected to go beyond motherhood statements except during The Town Hall when he had the chance to address local issues raised by the different KBP chapters that he was familiar with

VP Leni appeared more confident and her responses were studied. She came a long way from her many laughable quotes. She’s now a serious contender.

Sen. Ping Lacson was right about country’s dire need for leadership by example at the top. It solves many issues with those who dare violate our laws.  He’s been there and done that.  

Mayor Isko’s experience in the local government shows him comfortable in responding to issues raised by the panel. Statesman ang dating.   

A pleasant surprise was Labor leader Leody. He was articulate and proved that he is equally very qualified to lead the country.  He has a good grasp of the problems that beset the ail of the nation.

So, Marcos Jr.’s supporters were wrong to claim he doesn’t need to be present in forums because he has already amplified his programs.  What a foolish conclusion. In fact, I doubt how many of those rooting for him really knew what his unity vision is all about.

Take Bongbong’s unity slogan. It is long in sloganeering but awfully short in substance.  He has not said anything how he can convince the anti-Marcos sector to join him. Neither has he articulated how he can make the NPA surrender their firearms. That’s only for starters.

Unity? Try again.

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SCAM VIA LAZADA. People who enjoy ordering items via Lazada should watch out.

I’ve been a victim of a scam order from Lazada last month and my complaint has not been resolved.

Curiously, the seller, Pronic Asia, is in Dagupan but the products, 4 items for trompa, were sent to my residence in Metro Manila. Our househelp accepted the product unaware that I didn’t order the items and neither did I get any confirmation from Lazada about the order I supposedly placed.

I went to Pronic Asia to complain and to get a refund but the store refused to entertain my request. The store said I should get my refund from Lazada since it was Lazada that ordered him to deliver the equipment. I consulted that the Lazada hubs in Dagupan City and Makati City and they told me the delivery was, indeed, irregular.

To make a long story short, I still don’t have my refund even after Lazada had directed Pronic Asia to make the refund. The store insists an investigation be done to determine who plotted the scam that involved him.

Lesson? Make sure your household is aware that you placed an order with Lazada, and barring any advice, any delivery should be rejected outright.

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