Think about it
Cesar T. Quiambao: ‘I have returned!’
By Jun Velasco
STRANGE how a sizable section in our fabled isles shamelessly posture itself as self-righteous, lumping all demonic adjectives to the vanquished after the Supreme Court “dumped” (ibinasura) Sigaw ng Bayan’s People’s Initiative platform.
Why can’t they be like the proverbial boxing protagonists in the ring where the winner and defeated automatically embrace each other after a bloody match?
Conflict in our country is bloody. Remember our so-called golden age when some of our gallant heroes would cut each other’s throat?
We envy the US electoral contests, where a losing candidate gracefully concedes and congratulates the winner.
Our friend, Pangasinense, Atty. Raul Lambino, who heroically carried the People’s Initiative banner to the end, suddenly looks like a mongrel after the SC “dumped” his cause. How about the seven justices who supported Raul’s cause? Monsters, too? Is it Philippine culture to always portray a person on the other side of the fence as “manlilinlang,” devil, bad, good for nothing?
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We thought well-heeled businessman Cezar T. Quiambao, originally of Mayor Leo de Vera in “On to Bayambang Cityhood” was on an extended leave in Bayambang politics.
But no, Leo Boy’s kuya is in town and is serving notice he won’t allow the proponents of the ballyhooed P250 million landfill a day of rest until they squared off with him on what exactly will happen to the town if the landfill was implemented.
Vice Governor Oscar Lambino says Leo de Vera’s baby is being shot down by CTQ, fellow QC Rotarians but Bayambang natives lawyer Raffy Mijares and Quezon City Civil Registrar Ramon Matabang Jr., who detest garbage’s smell coming from other towns.
Lambino, presiding officer of the body that’s hearing Landfill’s pro and con, requires the proponents to submit the project’s “social engineering” requirement if it should pass the test.
CTQ’s beef is that Leo and Company had cooked the town’s resolution lutong macao style, “when I was not looking.”
We see in the imbroglio a glimpse of Bayambang’s heated local elections in 2007, a far cry from the fraternal politics crafted by Leo and CTQ nine years back.
We told Raffy Mijares a modern landfill by Engineer Palad would have nothing of the compost pit stink, but he counters: “ok lang sana but minus other provinces, cities and towns dumping their wastes in our town.”
Is “fight politics” re-entering the back door of Bayambang again?
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While Speaker Joe de V was waiting for his turn to speak before the District Lions last Sunday, we had a “spirited” talk with Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, Councilor Jojo Guadiz, former Dagupan ABC president Fred Quinto and former Calasiao Vice Mayor Manny Roy.
The subject was, you’re right, Atong, local politics, a favorite pastime hereabouts.
What can you expect with Manny Roy as “presiding officer?” Sidebar was Dagupan City’s financial troubles.
We said Mayor Benjie Lim should not be blamed for the city’s funding problems because he merely implements what the Sanggunian tells him to do.
At this point, Manny Roy cut in, “you mean Benjie is now onor onor?”
When Ben Baraoidan tipped off that JDV was on the rostrum, the four locals had their fill of local-global politics from the speaker: China’s drinking water project for Pangasinan from the San Roque dam, a cement plant in Dasol and the North Rail project; and South Korea’s Pl00 million grant for a fishing facility for Dagupan City.
What bankruptcy are they talking about with JDV bringing home all the goodies?
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Former Dagupan barangay politics boss Alfredo Dawana is slowly succeeding in grouping like-minded souls to develop a 40-hectare virgin river between Lucao and Carael, long hidden from the public until Jun Ebdane and Fidel Ginez extended the Dawel, Pantal, Lucao alternate road to the area. .
Dawana’s nipa resort in the middle of the river which perks up with the love of his life (gorgeous T.E.) giving it a TLC has served as the group’s rendezvous. We suggest the group, with a detailed study, approach the Speaker and Mayor Lim to realize it, Watac Part 2.
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NOTES: A powerful brokers group is teaming up NIA Administrator Art Lomibao and Regional Medical Center Director Jess Canto, former Governor Vic Millora’s half brother, in the gubernatorial race, citing Art’s popularity, proven executive skills and vast police network, and Jess’s thousands of rural workers and unbeatable strength in Western Pangasinan.
Though not yet a declared candidate, Art Lomibao is consistently in the magic 4 in all surveys, dislodging Victor Agbayani, Oca Lambino and Conrad Estrella in some towns.
Jess is close to PGMA via presidential consultant Albert Balingit, his balae…
Finally, our friend, General Pol Bataoil, got what he has secretly been eyeing — the post of regional PNP director. Our fearless forecast is that Pol will soon step into the shoes of former PNP chief Art Lomibao, his idol. Congrats, General Shiny!
(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/think-about-it/)
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