A hurting city
By Farah G. Decano
A few of my friends messaged me on Messenger and inquired about this Facebook post that did not reach only users in Pangasinan but also those in other parts of the Philippines.
“Anyare?” they asked.
I felt a certain shame. I did not sign up for this task of explaining the conduct of the so-called elected representatives of our city during their October 10 city council regular session.
“Ganyan ba talaga kayong mga tiga-Dagupan?”
This question made me think. What makes a Dagupeño? I have heard narratives about the old people of Dagupan. They are mostly peace-loving, polite, consensus-builders, industrious traders, fishermen, and farmers. The Sanggunian Panglungsod then were dominated by intellectuals. They employed wit and sarcasm in hitting back at their rivals in the city council. “Pasiki” was their diplomatic attack weapon against politicians and department heads whose actions they did not agree with.
Have we evolved into something else in the 21st century?
Please recall how the leadership of the city was in the yesteryears. Party loyalty was demonstrated only during election period and appointments. After every poll, the city hall reverts to its usual ambiance of being a harmonious place to work in. The victorious did not use their power to take revenge against those who supported their rivals. The oppositionists in the city council only showed their fangs against their opponents only a few months before every election.
At the beginning of the new century, the city hall employees started to feel the pronounced change in the characteristics of our city leaders. The seat of government was no longer a peaceful workplace. Government employees were identified with candidates they voted for and had been treated accordingly.
As years went by, the culture of “dalem” and “sulsol” were even encouraged. Employees who made “dalem,” even if unverified, were favored because they were considered as ones who had the “malasakit” for the governing leader. Those who had been in the city hall for long knew how this strategy worked and learned to warm their way to whosoever came into power. Some have become masters of manipulation.
Then came President Rodrigo Duterte.
He normalized the use of cuss and intimidating words even in official functions. Filipinos who engaged in social media followed suit. They became emboldened to use profanity and threats of murder and rape as their means of argument. Intelligent discussion of differences suddenly became a thing of the past. If you had a different opinion, you either get cancelled, cursed, or threatened by real people or by trolls.
Dagupeños to some degree have been affected by this toxic culture. And sadly, this new form of urbanity was exhibited lately by our elected officials in their performance of official functions.
“Ganyan ba talaga kayong mga tiga-Dagupan?”
Going back to that question, how I wish I could say, “Hindi. Sa city hall lang ang ugaling yan.” But the diatribe-shouting councilors are our representatives. We elected them in the majority. How can I now refute that they do not mirror the entire populace?
“Sasagutin ka na lang ng mga kababayan ko sa 2025.” I replied, “If these public officials get re-elected in 2025, perhaps then I can answer you.”
* * * *
Councilor Irene Lim-Acosta claimed to be the second coming of her deceased father – former Mayor Benjamin Saplan Lim (BSL). Let me tell her of a beautiful story about her father as recounted to me by a teary-eyed Engineer Jane Rosario.
Mayor BSL and the former city engineer had been at odds with each other for a long time which led the engineer to file a case against him. When Mayor BSL returned to power in 2010, he reached out to Engineer Jane and apologized for the hostility he showed her. He hugged her tight. The engineer felt the sincerity and humility of the mayor that she absolved him instantly. She then understood that despite the mayor’s strongman façade, there was a kind gentleman behind his power. A forgiving person herself, Engineer Jane has nothing but good words now for the deceased mayor.
Councilor Irene, please be the second coming of your father, BSL – the person who knew how to fight but also knew how to forgive and reach out.
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