By Gonzalo Duque

DON’T  want to be a killjoy, much less an “intriguer,” in the colloquial sense of the word, but how do you   interpret  this conversation starring former President  Fidel V. Ramos and a group of politicians and political hangers-on in a five-star hotel lately? Off the cuff, the grand old man of   Philippine politics said that if he has his choice, he would want Mayor Felimon  Belmonte to be prime minister in case we evolve into a parliamentary  government.  What is this, ha, Nelson Sotto? I thought all along FVR and Speaker Joe de V whose obsession to become prime minister is known to everybody except God were ideal partners? 

This is not funny, ha, Nelson? Among those who heard FVR were Mayor Benjie Lim, PR man Mel Velasco and five others. What I saw and heard was a serious FVR, and I almost fell on the floor when I heard FVR. I know how Joe de V fought for FVR when he ran for president in l992, and I also know how FVR supported JDV when he ran for president l998. Has the friendship faded out? What’s going on? 

At any rate, Sonny Belmonte, a former World   Jaycees president, former House Speaker like Joe de V,   owner of  the Philippine Star, former newsman like JDV, and former assemblyman is very much qualified.  But what I don’t just get so easily is why FVR, chairman emeritus of Lakas, seems to be distancing himself from chairman JDV and party president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, our infant terrible Philippine President. 

Don’t tell me, Mayor Benjie, that you were responsible for this change of mind of FVR. I don’t think Mel Velasco would dare attempt to influence FVR. Mel would root for FPJ hands down, but he is now dead. When I heard the FVR latest pakulo, I thought the Lakas was going in circles. Nahihilo ang tao. Ako hilo na e, kayo? Will FVR please clear things up?   

*          *           * There’s something suspicious on the charter change debates. Why is it that we are being asked to debate on whether we shall have elections or not such as on the no-el proposal?  

It strikes me as odd that we are not asked to choose between a  Con Con or Con-Ass? Why limit the choice between Con-Ass and elections? Fact is I favor charter change but not through a Con-Ass but through a Con-Con.  Kuya Joe, please clarify! *          *          * 

Because of our rounds of the   venues for the  PRISAA games, we stumbled into many facilities that were in state of disrepair. Good thing our discovery of the defects came on time, we all have of them repaired. The Dagupan swimming pool, the only  one of world standard, is a good example. Mabuti’t  naagapan. 

In my humble view, one of the best things that happened in our PRISAA hosting preparations is the re-propping and substantial repairs and rehabilitation of our sports facilities.  The other good thing  was the show of unity and cooperation  by our national and local officials from Pangasinan led by Speaker Jose de Venecia, Commissioner Al Fernandez, Gov. Victor Agbayani, and all our congressmen, and many mayors including Benjie Lim, Jolly Resuello, Sammy Rosario, Jonas Castaneda, and all the rest. Thank you, thank you……. 

Speaker Joe will be the guest of honor and speaker on opening day, while Commissioner Al, who is incoming president of the Philippine Amateur Track and   Field Ass’n, will be the closing speaker. While going through the motions as host of the PRISAA games, I saw an urgent need to hold a sports summit in the region or province with the end in view of involving more people especially the youth in sports. 

It occurred me that the reason the United States has outstanding leaders who are all sports minded  is that the Yanks are into sports even while they are still young.  Why do sportsmen make good citizens and good leaders? Because they are of sound mind and sound body. And they are trained to play fair and square. This must be why the Americans have a successful political or democratic system.  

Kasi, when they fight, they say, sport lang ha? Dito sa atin, lahat ng natatalo sa politika ay biktima ng pandaraya. Most are sore losers. Kaya walang katapusan ang laban. In sport, the rules are followed strictly save in exceptional cases. 

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