By Eva C. Visperas

 

HE remained silent for almost two weeks before finally breaking his silence to share his thoughts with the media.

I was delighted to receive a call one Saturday morning, as I had been hoping for it to gain some much-needed clarifications.

Mark Cojuangco, the congressman from Pangasinan’s second district, opened up and conveyed his thoughts regarding the seawall project along the Lingayen-Binmaley beachwalk area.

I won’t repeat here what I’ve written about my interview with him on this issue, I wish to share some snippets from that rare tête-à-tête with him.

After he expressed his views, he mentioned towards the end of our conversation that he would engage in soul-searching, consultation, and review his plans. “Did I make a mistake? I don’t think so,” he remarked regarding his commitment to the project.

Many political observers are awaiting the potential breakup of the Aguila Team (Alyansang Guico Lambino), which includes Cojuangco, Quiambao, Celeste and Estrella, among other political heavyweights in the group that ousted the Espino regime in Pangasinan.

So, has there been no breakup? I asked him.

“I hope not because our adversaries will celebrate, and that is not good for Pangasinan. It’s not good for District 2 if we quarrel. It serves no positive purpose. I believe we are better than our predecessors; both he, as governor, and me, as congressman, are better than those who came before us,” he stated.

That’s quite significant!

Although Congressman Mark was not invited to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee hearing on the seawall project held on September 14, 2023, following a letter-complaint filed by protesters, mainly fishermen from Binmaley, he maintains his respect for the legislative body.

Did they intentionally exclude him? “But why was Representative Celeste invited when the issue doesn’t involve his district?” Ouch! That stings!

Congressman Mark expressed his displeasure towards some board members who are not in his district – those from landlocked areas, making baseless accusations and insinuations during the hearing. “They said so much that was accusatory with many insinuations, as if trying to make a scene and gain attention, but without substance in what they were saying. They don’t know the facts. They’re not from here. I didn’t like their comments,” Congressman Mark said from the heart.

Oh, I think I know who they are, one of them is a woman, who tends to beat around the bush when providing comments or suggestions during the SP sessions and ends up without a clear message. She speaks in a confusing manner, I promise! Her thoughts are disorganized.

Despite all of this and much more that appeared unfair to the congressman and others involved in the project, he remains steadfast. “I’m not alarmed because I know we’re right,” he stressed.

Following the drama in the hearing, Congressman Mark was quiet, engrossed in his congressional work based on what I saw on his Facebook page.

He chose not to react or hold a press conference to voice his sentiments until last Saturday when we spoke. That was about ten days after the “seawall storm.”

“We haven’t done anything wrong, and the people know what we’re doing. We’ve explained it to the people numerous times. We’ve had meetings in the barangay; this is my plan, this is what I want to happen,” he explained as he detailed the sacrifices he made to help resolve flooding issues in some barangays along the Lingayen baywalk area.

I heard from a source at the SP that there was no tarpaulin or billboard at the project site of the seawall. One of Congressman Mark’s staff members exclaimed, “There is! It’s the standard one mandated by COA. It includes the name of the project, cost, date started, expected date of completion, among other details!”

Perhaps there was no picture of you, I teased the congressman.

“I’m not like that. I’m not boastful, and I don’t make grandiose claims because, for me, the project’s verdict is whether it succeeds or not, whether it’s good or not. It’s not about bragging even before it’s accomplished!” he said meaningfully.

Bullseye, Congressman!

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