By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

THE 7 epaLiFes are not running out of schemes and dirty tricks to prevent the Belen administration from succeeding with its infrastructure and public service programs. Their latest affront was their attempt to derail the ongoing drainage and widening project of the DPWH.

Their only problem is, try as they might to look and sound creditable each time, they just find themselves sinking deeper in the quagmire that is trapo politics.

This time, it was done through majority Councilor Alvin Coquia’s committee on public works and infrastructure, urging their allies in the business sector to file a case for temporary restraining order or a permanent injunction against the city government and DPWH.

For the nth time, the 7 epaLiFes again exposed their sheer ignorance of laws, immaturity and reckless politics, but with a difference this time – at the possible risk and expense of their business friends.

Since it will not be the 7 epaLiFes that will file the cases, it will be their friends’ lawyers who will be embarrassed by the court for their ignorance, not being aware of Presidential Decree No. 1818 that prohibits the filing of TRO or a case of preliminary injunction against national government projects.

The 7 epaLiFes’ friends should already know better by this time than to follow their lead blindly on anything.

Besides, what is there to gain by blocking a billions-worth of national project of the DPWH whose sole objective is to stop flooding in the city? What stupid businessman will risk being blamed by the community for delaying the completion of the project to serve the obstructionist politics of the 7 epaLiFes?

The way I see it, the 7 epaLiFes must really think lowly of their business friends and political supporters, as gullible simpletons! But they are not, many I know to be respectable businessmen. How could the 7 epaLiFes’ even think of getting them involved in their anti-people politics?

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WATER SEEKS ITS OWN LEVEL. Then there was the attempt to discredit the city government for failing to follow the recommendation of the Flood Mitigation Commission created by then Mayor Brian Lim in lieu of the DPWH plan.

In doing so, the 7 epaLiFes only exposed the ineptness and incompetence of Lim’s FMC.  The ex-FMC failed to show any formal study as basis for its recommendations. Its silliest recommendation was to construct pumping stations or install pumping equipment.  It’s a recommendation that goes against the basic, scientific rule – water seeks its own level!

What good will pumping out floodwater in an area that is already nearly below sea level?

Of course, the ex-FMC members deliberately avoided being called nitwits by not seeking to have their belated recommendations implemented right away. If the Belen administration had followed its recommendations that proved ineffective, the ex-FMC would have disavowed any part of it, that’s for sure.

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WHO’LL FILE THE CASES FIRST? At the rate situations are evolving on many fronts in Lingayen, Binmaley, San Fabian and Dagupan City, the province will likely see legal battles seeking accountabilities piling up and being fought feverishly but I surmise only until “win-win compromises” are reached.

From Guv Mon-mon’s stage, at stake is ownership of foreshore lands by either government or private sector along three baywalks.

In Dagupan City, it’s also about ownership of government lands in Bonuan but farther from the baywalk.

After firing no-nonsense threats and warnings by both Guv Mon-Mon and Mayor Belen, the legal warfare is set and this is welcomed by the intended beneficiaries of the areas in question.

How far the governor will flex his muscles remains to be seen. Will he continue to just rant about it before filing the cases or will he file the cases first then continue to rant?

In the case of Mayor Belen, she still has not shown a steely character to file cases against accountable officials even after declaring and promising the filing of series of cases against those sabotaging her administration in 2022. The most recent was two weeks ago.

Between the identified targets of the two, and if they truly mean what they say, there should be at least 10 cases filed with the Ombudsman initially.  But if they are both all talk, and no action, expect lengthy explanations about reasons for the compromises and “win-win” solutions with no one held accountable.

If they file the cases for accountability, theirs will be the legacy that dared punish the corrupt that will not be forgotten easily.  Who will file the most number of cases??

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EVERYTHING TO LOSE. If after two weeks, Dagupan City Legal Officer Aurora Valle still doesn’t file the cases vs those who robbed the city blind and against those who deliberately obstruct basic programs for the city, Dagupeños can no longer help but believe that it’s either Mayor Belen who refuses to file the criminal and administrative cases against the 7 epaLiFes or Mayor Belen would rather cover up for Atty. Valle’s incompetence.

The growing suspicion that Mayor Belen is protecting her special advisers from the clutches of the 7 epaLiFes at the expense of her constituents will ultimately gain traction while she absolves Atty. Valle of her own crime – for dereliction of duty.

Mayor Belen has everything to lose if she will not sustain her threats to make persons accountable.

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PROVEN WRONG IS GREAT. When Guv Mon-mon was heard targeting the illegal structures along the Pangasinan Baywalk as a campaign promise, I was almost certain crossing swords with hundreds of affluent and influential owners of houses and restaurants would be the last thing he’d do, it at all.

But he proved me wrong! And I’m happiest that he proved me wrong about my perception of him, not that he cares about what I think because he surely doesn’t.

Early on, I thought he’s definitely a politician to watch especially after he sent off the board members and their spouses, department heads and hospital directors on pleasure travel overseas immediately after he announced San Miguel Holdings Corp. as the “original proponent” for the construction of the PLEX. But he redeemed himself with the “sweetheart deal” for Pangasinan.

I also wondered why he shunned media interviews. But he broke his “No talk-No mistake” policy with his newfound policy – “Shoot first – Explain later” with the baywalk issue. But why the PIO didn’t write about it, makes me think about his trust relationship with his PIO staff.

He’s definitely in my radar as the governor to watch.

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