By Gonzalo Duque

 

THE Senate inquiry that heard the allegations against former President Rodrigo Duterte turned out to be a circus and a dud.

Those who were expecting that former President Duterte would be cornered and make himself publicly humiliated instead become a laughing stock in the eyes of the public.

Jinggoy Estrada had his best shot when he confronted former Senator Leila de Lima of her inability to file charges against Digong when she was still Secretary of Justice and Human Rights Commissioner.

We have to remember that she had all the power and authority to nail down Digong during those times. I also remember the time when she prevented former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from traveling abroad despite the Supreme Court decision allowing her to go.

Parang she took the law in her own hands.

That was a knock-out blow delivered by Jinggoy!

In case all the detractors are planning to go any further than persecuting Digong in the eyes of the public, they should instead face the challenge of FPRRD to bring any case in court against him with regards to his war against illegal drugs.

Digong has already stated that he’s willing to take full responsibility for that policy.

Everybody knows that even before Digong became President, he had already forewarned and threatened the drug manufacturers and pushers to stop their nefarious activities, otherwise the full force of the law will be unleashed against them.

My daughter, Pebbles, became part of a Christmas message delivered by Digong warning the drug pushers about their illegal activities. I hope that Christmas message will be replayed to remind our people that Digong meant business even before he was elected as President of the Republic.

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We extend our congratulations to Mayor Belen Fernandez for her participation in the ongoing World Cities Humanities Network Conference hosted by Andong City in South Korea.

The topic being discussed in that conference ranges from poverty alleviation, mental health issues like suicide, violence against women and children, fighting hunger, caring for the sick and the elderly, and climate change.

Whatever she will acquire in the conference will be good for the city and people because it comes from an exchange of ideas among mayors from different parts of the world.

I hope the Magic 7 in the Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod will not judge the participation of Mayor Belen as a junket.

Ano kaya ang ginagawa ni Irene Lim-Acosta sa Hong Kong and China?

Please let me know, so I can write about it.

I am talking about Irene’s travel in light of a situation where Redford insisted on her participation in a council session.

My point is, if you are on official leave, you are officially absent and you cannot participate in the legislative proceeding even through a Zoom platform or any other means.

This matter should be clearly defined by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Civil Service Commission for all legal intents and purposes.

Well, can Vice Mayor Bryan Kua clarify this matter?

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I have been told by a source that the decision of the RTC Branch 73 judge in Urdaneta City was biased because the judge is allegedly in the payroll of the city government through a monthly allowance, and because the judge teaches at the Urdaneta City University, where the mayor is the chairman of the board.

May I ask my friends in the media to enlighten me about this?

Joking aside, the ruling penned by RTC Judge Crisma Ravanzo Vismanos-Nabua gave an extensive discussion and was well concluded.

I must also point out that other cities like Dagupan are also extending allowances to judges and prosecutors to augment their allowance and this was approved by the Supreme Court.

On the supposed additional one-year suspension extended by the Sanggunian Panlalawigan and approved by the governor against Mayor Parayno, it is kind of strange because that would have extended beyond his current term.

My advice to my friends in the Sanggunian and Governor Guico: Hwag nyo nang dagdagan ang problems ninyo, please lang!

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In the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, I have always believed that instead of praying for the souls of our departed brethren, we should instead pray to them so that they can intercede for us in the Kingdom of our Father. 

They are our closest and personal saints who can intercede for us to God.

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