Playing with Fire
A bizarre, backward step
By Gonzalo Duque
WHERE ever we go these days, friends and former foes alike would ask us about younger brod Pingcoy — the health secretary.
Great thing. They are good words they say about him. In fact, his name is being bruited about as a possible senatorial candidate in 20l0. If he isn’t good, well, maybe, they won’t think of drafting him, right?
But being talked about and aspiring to go for it are two different things. From time to time, the topic would crop up in family gatherings. And most of the time, huag tayo padalos dalos, mahirap at magastos yan. We should feel the pulse and the temper of the times.
Most of you who have known Pingkoy know that like most of his brothers, if not all of them, his heart is first for Pangasinan, maybe, because erpat was a former governor, and we were a former vice governor. Public service is in our veins ika nga.
Tulungan natin. Mabait at matulungin ang batang yan. Sabi ni Jun V, his media consultant, lagi raw Number l sa survey among the cabinet men — and women. We always reacted with a suggestion for us to take a look at the bigger picture by including the oppostion in our survey and analysis. Kasi, marami ang ifa-factor sa pulitika.
You see, under Pingkoy, dumami ang holder ng PhilHealth cards. No less than Guv’nor Spines has been actively supporting the PhilHealth program. Even our own former Speaker Joe de V has been seen distributing the cards in his district. Same with Mayors Amadito Perez and yes, Congressman Victor Agbayani who started the program even while still a governor. The province is happy with the PhilHealth program being pursued enthusiastically.
All our provincemates, we know deep in our heart, are happy about this.
But alas, there’s one kababayan, a native of Bugallon town, who isn’t happy about it, and this guy, who was recently promoted vice president of PhilHealth nationwide has been working like crazy to move the regional PhilHealth office in Dagupan City to La Union. Yes, distorted reasoning, you see, and a grave disservice to Pangasinenses.
Probably, Ernie Beltran has no love lost for Pangasinan. But we have sounded out pur comprovincianos about his stab-in-the-back behaviour, and many are saying he must have been under the dictate of someone who hates Pangasinan.
Shall we allow this to happen, mga kababayan? We will not rest until this lunatic move is stopped altogether.
* * * *
It is refreshing to know that a Human Rights forum is being organized in Pangasinan. This corner was told that owing to the visit of President GMA in the province yesterday, November l5, the forum with no less than Commission on Human Rights chair Leila de Lima and Fr. Archie Intengan and other national human rights authorities has been reset on December l3, at the Ramos sports center in Lingayen.
The idea was broached by our friend Ani Lagao, who is connected with the Center for People’s Rights, and was readily picked up by noted events organizer, Ms. Kharmina Velasco, of Medialink fame.
Four agencies are reportedly backing the forum project, namely, the provincial government, the local government headed by Mr. D. Soriano, the PNP, and, of course, the lead group, CHR.
This is one of the better activities in the province which we should support.
* * * *
Local newsmen are again at their noisiest because of their forthcoming elections on November 29. We understand that the elections are so heated that brickbats are being aired in some local radio stations. Let’s hope that some reforms will be made because media’s credibility is being put to severe test these days.
After the heat of the campaign, try to work out a scheme where you can really be models of media work in our province.
(Readers may reach columnist at punch.sunday@gmail.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/playing-with-fire/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
