Think about it
Raul Lambino, take a bow
By Jun Velasco
THE ADVENT of the “ber months,” now wafting the air with fond Christmas memories, must be the major reason for the peso’s bounce this week, P50 to the US dollar.
Sometimes dubbed as balikbayan season, the bers (September, October, November and December) mean homecomings and grand reunions, which make the economy an expectant mother bearing a child of hope.
Roll out the red carpet for homeward-bound Pinoys. They prop up our sagging economy.
* * *
Our dear friend, former Information Minister Greg Cendaña, died last week at age 76. We could only pray for his eternal repose and express our profound sympathy and condolences to Manang Lili and the Cendaña family.
During the dark days of Martial Law, Kuya Greg who was, to many of us in Pangasinan “big brother” was a counselor second to none. Those were perilous days tomorrows might never come,” but the chummy media czar delighted us with his behind-the-scenes stories of Bung Ferdinand.
Although we were an alumnus of the stockade university in Camp Aquino, our anxiety over an uncertain future was effectively lightened by our kabayan from San Nicolas, Pangasinan. Greg proved to be a sincere friend because he even called up his boys in the Manila media when we ran for director of the National Press Club.
Fellow Rotarian (Metro Cubao) Art Padua, Famas president, told us yesterday, Friday, he was talking to Manong Greg Wednesday in which he even joked, “ano ba, Art, akala ko patay ka na!”
The two inseparables had failed to meet due to Art’s health problem (diabetes) that week. On the third day, Greg’s son, Julius, called up to inform his best pal “Manong Art, papa is dead!” driving Art to incomprehensible sorrow.
May he rest in peace.
* * *
Our partner Raul Lambino, youthful lawyer who has overnight risen into a constitutional expert on the forefront of the charter change debate, thanks to his passionate advocacy of the People’s Initiative told us last night the junking by the Comelec of his group, Sigaw ng Bayan’s petition (change the constitution through People’s Initiative) did not dampen his spirit “we got devastated, but only temporarily,” he said.
With a guarded laugh, Raul waxed confident the Supreme Court to which Sigaw and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines elevated the case, would vindicate him. He said they have scored a “moral Victory.”
People’s Initiative may be down but not out yet, fighting Raul said. We think Raul and his fellow warriors have proven a point, having convulsed the country to rethink its priorities. Such is a tribute to the current debate on charter change.
We are not optimistic on Sigaw’s petition to the Supreme Court in light of its negative vote on the issue during the Ramos presidency.
We simply advised him to work harder and hope for the best but prepared to take reality in stride.
Whatever happens to this vital political exercise, the people have awakened, thanks to the charter change protagonists and antagonists. From the litter of debates a much chastened Raul Lambino has carved a niche in the nation’s political life, now an indelible part of Philippine history.
Panalo ka, Raul!
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