Fun in Pangasinan

OVER the last two weeks, Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan has called for a press conference twice to defend the Espino administration from news reports that make the capitol look bad. The first was about the provincial hospitals supposedly being ill-managed and last week was on the alleged illegal black sand mining that’s going on in the capital town Lingayen where the provincial government is planning to build a golf course.

The provincial government is well-advised in acting quickly to explain its side. Openness is almost always an indication of innocence. However, in both instances, Mr. Baraan was noticeably irked and that does not make a good reflection on Governor Amado Espino Jr. nor his administration whom Baraan represents. Cool heads have a better way of making a point.

Being calm and collected would especially come in handy when provincial representatives troop to the House of Representatives once the Committee on Natural Resources starts its inquiry on alleged illegal mining operations in various parts of the country, including the questioned operations in Lingayen, as proposed by Bayan Muna party list Rep. Teddy Casiño.

The capitol has said it welcomes the House probe, and it very well should because it is an opportunity to clear its name and agenda. If, indeed, the project is above board, the governor and his team could even take it as an opportunity to promote that “It’s more fun in Pangasinan” with its planned public golf course.

Meanwhile, the provincial government must also quickly address the concerns of the people in the barangays affected by the project. Local and national politicians may have their political, personal or other dark motives, but those in the communities do have valid fears and that makes it less fun living in Pangasinan.

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Difference

OMBUDSMAN Merceditas Gutierrez has no money that’s why she didn’t fight impeachment attempts against her and resigned? Seemingly, yes.

In contrast, Renato Corona, the impeached chief justice, has not resigned and is vigorously fighting his impeachment in the Senate. Why, because from the looks of it, Corona, compared with Gutierrez, has the moolah to duke it out. Corona’s battery of high-powered lawyers is led no less by former Supreme Court justice Serafin Cuevas whose services are reportedly pro bono but we doubt that.

It seems obvious then: Gutierrez didn’t have the money to fight, but Corona has. That appears to be the one of the differences between the two.

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