By Gonzalo Duque

 

TWO precedent-setting cases that checked abuses of local Sanggunians must teach the Belen Fernandez administration how to deal with the recalcitrant seven members of the majority of the Dagupan city council.

These cases — one in Quezon province and the other in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya — involved dereliction of duty and abuse of power by members of their respective law-making bodies.

We were informed that as a result of the charges, council members who were tagged as responsible for the undue delay in the passage of the annual budgets were suspended by the Ombudsman for months.

FYI, the case filed by then Gov. Danilo Suarez of Quezon against Sangguniang Panlalawigan members for deliberately withholding action on their annual budget for a long time was handled by the law office of Atty. Harry Roque.

Maybe, Mayor Belen and members of the minority in the Dagupan council can consult him. Ermin, our editor, can be of help.

But I think the majority party of the Dagupan Sanggunian feels no threat and remain nonchalant because even if MBTF and the minority bloc file a case now, it’s too late given the next election will be in May 2025.

My understanding is that the suspension of elected officials cannot be issued one year before an election.

So, tuloy ang halakhak ng mga members of the Dagupan city council’s majority.

Kawawa naman si Mayor Belen at ang kanyang mga konsehales.

Mag kita kits na lang kayong lahat sa election!

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The alarm sounded by no less than Rep. Dan Fernandez, chair of the committee on Quad in Congress created by Speaker Martin Romualdez, has summed up the alleged activities of the Chinese government in the Philippines to undermine our national security.

 These include the purchase of real properties, schools, and businesses in energy and water; illegal drug trade, POGOs, and other economic activities; and late registration of birth certificates. All these were meant to create some level of control over us and affect our lives and national safety.

 China is slowly converting our country as its own province!

 The big problem is that despite all the brouhaha in both houses of Congress, I believe that nothing will really come out of it.

 Marami na kasi tayong utang sa China. 

 On the other hand, Uncle Sam or the United States promised a lot of aid to the Philippines but has not given us economic benefits, so far.

 All that they’ve given us are military hardware and equipment planted in different parts of the country.

 In fact, many foreign manufacturing firms, many from the U.S., have relocated to other Asian countries. And investments in our country have not really grown fast.

 Are these firms sensing that our country is no longer safe?

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You must take it from me.  Dengue is far worse than COVID-19 when it hits you.

Although dengue is curable and manageable, it takes a lot of time to treat it.

I can say this because I, myself, was once a victim of dengue and I almost died from the infection.

So, in order to prevent or avoid this dreaded disease, we need to observe a lot of precautions.

Among these are maintaining a clean environment, draining stagnant water in canals or in discarded car tires that could become breeding places of mosquitoes.

If you are feeling unwell, go at once to your doctor immediately.

It is crucial to follow the Five ’S’ in the fight against dengue: (1) Search and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes; (2) Self-protection measures; (3) Seek consultation (4) Support fogging in outbreak areas; and (5) Sustain hydration.

The Provincial Health Office has just confirmed that dengue has risen in Pangasinan by 75% so far this year compared to last year’s record.

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