Punchline
Credit the Camba-Fonseca tandem
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
AT the outset, I wish to thank the two loudspeakers of Dagupan Mayor Benjie Lim, namely Ruel Camba and Joel Fonseca.
Without the Camba-Fonseca jukebox tandem, The PUNCH could not have possibly known earlier that not only did the chairmen of the 2011 and 2012 Bangus Festival refuse and fail to remit their collections from organized revenue-earning activities but they have not accounted for the P3 million that each chairman received from the city government. The duo certainly outdid my moles in the city hall.
After indicting the city information office for failing to respond to issues raised by The PUNCH, the duo unwittingly led us to the doorsteps of the city treasurer and the city accountant to verify the “factual” records about the finances on the Bangus Festival. The only difference in our definition was, their reference to “factual” records was meant as a bluff to give the impression that The PUNCH’s continued reportage on irregularities in organizing the festival under the Lim administration was malicious. To sound credible to their listeners, they even dared The PUNCH to enter the lion’s den (city hall) and do what “responsible journalists” do – to be factual. We did just that with a prayer that they were right. Unfortunately, they seriously miscalculated everything. Not only did they not expect The PUNCH to call their bluff, but they thought nothing of lying about it. The duo nailed their patrons on the wall all because they wanted to sound and look credibly intelligent!
Note: It was also their stout denial of the sudden proliferation of the illegal fish pens in the city that validated The PUNCH’s exposé. The duo even attempted to malign Archbishop Soc by describing the city hall as the considerate party for allowing the construction of baratillo stalls around the cathedral “for humane considerations” while Archbishop Soc Villegas was the man that had no compassion for complaining about the stalls. Tsk-tsk. BSL should watch his back.
So to the credit of Lim’s radio jesters, official records, indeed, show Messrs. Alex Siapno and Beep-Beep Tan (2011) executive co-chairmen, and Councilor Brian Lim (2012) executive chairman as responsible for the P6 million and the rentals and sponsorship fees collected that remain unaccounted for. (Note: Mayor Lim, City Administrator Vlad Mata and Brian Lim were specifically and tagged by former City Auditor Ofelia Celi in October 2012 as officially liable and responsible).
Paging Commission on Audit and the Ombudsman!
I surmise that next on the chopping block for failing to account and liquidate funds for the city’s annual fiesta would be Councilors Jess Canto (2010), Guillermo Vallejos (2011), and Red Erfe-Mejia (2012). Perhaps, my new “intelligent” moles Messrs. Camba and Fonseca can give us more leads how they can make that happen?
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WELCOME GESTURE. Now comes Councilor Alvin Coquia, chairman of 2013 Bangus Festival, with his unsolicited assurance that he and Ms. Marianne Ang, unlike their predecessors, will account for the P3 million they received for the 2013 Bangus Festival.
That certainly is a welcome gesture but it remains suspect because it sounded more like a political promise meant to be broken to deflect charges of corruption that hound the MadiLIM and MakuLIMLIM ticket.
But let’s give Mr. Coquia and Ms. Ang the benefit of the doubt. Will they tell us the bank account numbers where the P3-M and fees collected were deposited? In a show of full adherence to the spirit of transparency, will they sign waivers from coverage of the bank secrecy law of those accounts and of their own? If they don’t, what is there to expect from them?
I sincerely hope they will do it to dispel suspicions about their participation in the usual money conspiracy in the city hall.
Note: What do they all have in common? Messrs. Lim, Canto, Vallejos , Erfe-Mejia and Coquia are all seeking reelection under the MadiLIM and MakuLIMLIM (NP) ticket. Mr. Tan and Ms. Ang are the new councilor wannabes in their team. With the exception of Tan and Ang, the five councilors belong to the original Judas 9 that sold MC Adore down the drain. I bet you haven’t heard about their P4-M bonus!
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SPECIFIC PROGRAMS NEEDED. Now that the Supreme Court has issued the status quo ante (SQA) order, lifting the aggregate limits for advertising on radio, and there is no limitation on print advertising, there is absolutely no reason why the candidates cannot present or discuss their respective platforms.
Enough of silly jingles or photo-shopped poster pictures that do not lend to an informed citizenry. While it’s easy to promise anything to get elected, their pronouncements on media can now be recorded and can serve as basis for making an elected candidate accountable.
Guv. Spines and Mayor Nani Braganza should lead the way and demonstrate how campaigns should be conducted. Let’s hear them talk about what can be expected from each for the next three years.
How many schools will they build, how many teachers will they develop, how many computers will be installed? How many books will be published?
How many community hospitals will be built? What specific actions will be taken in the war vs. illegal drugs? How will they ensure a lasting peace and order? How will they attract investors? How will tourism be promoted?
How do they intend to preserve and protect our environment? How will they stop corruption? How will they make Pangasinan become the number 1 province in the region? How transparent will their governance be?
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KAMAY NA BAKAL. The provincial and city Comelec offices are becoming the laughing stock after all their brave words about how strict they would be in enforcing the election rules.
With most everyone ignoring the common poster areas and trees, empty lots, electric posts, walls, fences are now being vandalized like no one’s business, one wonders why the Comelec officials even talk about violations. The inutility of the Comelec stems from its wrong approach to the problem.
Why it seeks to tear down posters themselves when it can easily invoke its quasi-judicial powers? All it needs to do is to take pictures of the violations, attach these as evidence and summarily decide on the violations. The publication and announcement in media of a list of violations by candidates in specific areas will immediately result in a 24-hour clearing operations at the expense of the candidates. (The PPCRV chapters can certainly lend a hand is such an activity).
By insisting on playing the cat-and-mouse game with the candidates, the Comelec cannot hope to win public support. Excuses and alibis only aggravate their situation. Ask anyone and they will tell you that only a quiet and firm “kamay na bakal” approach will work in enforcing the county’s election laws.
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FOUR WOMEN OF SIGNIFICANCE. Over the past 30 days, four women of significance have since left us to be reunited with our Creator.
Remedios Erfe-Mejia, a mild-mannered woman-entrepreneur in Dagupan who quietly overcame challenges that came her way. Gloria Erfe-Mendoza, the lively beautiful mother who reared two men to become priests (Rev. Fr. Rene and Msgr. Oliver Mendoza). Vita Marie Purisima-Castro, the energetic lady professional who took to her family and profession with such passion. Emma Bernal-Castro, the engaging restaurateur who single-handedly made Dagupeña Restaurant a landmark in Pangasinan in the last 5 decades.
The province will not be the same without them. We can only pray that more will come forward living their examples.
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