Playing with Fire
Please, don’t send in the clowns, Alvin
By Gonzalo Duque
I WISH to congratulate the Regional Medical Center headed by its director, Dr. Jess Canto, for the many innovations at the RMC.
Most people I have talked to have good words for him. Even my sisters in the United States led by Dr. Grace D. Dizon who will head a group of Fil-Am medical practitioners in conducting a medical clinic – with the RMC staff, of course – are impressed with the good work.
This is what I mean by “true PR.” In legal parlance, res ipsa loquitor (the thing speaks for itself). Whatever they say for or against Jess or the institution he represents (RMC) is immaterial because kitang-kita ang ebidensiya.
He has done a good job. What is worrying him though is that because of what he has done, several groups are egging him to run for a public office. His name is being linked with two gubernatoriables, General Art Lomibao and my own brother, Sec. Pincoy (the latter denying any plan).
This goes to show that a good name, good work, anything that is good will stand out anytime.
* * *
The National Press Club was scheduled to conduct a seminar for local practitioners at UPANG yesterday. Last year, the club held a similar activity at the Lyceum Northwestern University.
I am happy to know that the club headed by Roy Mabasa of the Manila Bulletin is showing concern about the training of the “boys” in the province so that not only are they able to write or speak on a high level but also protect themselves from sinister groups who assault the press and press freedom.
I am confident that newsmen in Pangasinan headed by Bernie Erasquin of Patrima and Charles Tabayoyong of the old PPRC will immensely benefit from the NPC project.
Incidentally, LNU has contributed to the cause of fair and competent journalism when some of our students finished a course offered by the Kapisanan ng nga Brokkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP).
My grapevine says Commissioner Al Fernandez, the suave father of my friend Vice Mayor Alvin, and my brother, Cesar, jointly hosted the Manila journalist and the seminar participants.
Mabuhay kayo!
* * *
I said “my friend Alvin.” Yes, I mean it with all my heart. I must hasten to say that if there are fireworks between us, Alvin and me, it is because of that friendship. I want him to be a real and true leader in the mode of his father, who has reached heights of leadership with very little or no hitches at all.
In the case of Alvin, it’s really difficult for him to be insulated from controversies especially since he is the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod where burning issues are tackled regularly.
My mole at the Sanggunian told me Alvin was furious after he read my column last week which called attention to the illegal selling of lots at the Tondaligan Park. Sana ang ginawa niya ay utusan na lang ang SB na gumawa ng hakbang agad to stop the illegal activity. Illegal naman talaga e.
It’s lamentable that he had to denounce me for my article which is only motivated by the public good. Sabi raw ni Alvin mali daw ako kesyo exaggerated daw yong P1 billion estimate by a former Tondaligan Administrator and from there tried to reduce me to a mince meat in his first ever privilege speech.
I’m flattered because he had told me the SB was acting on a very viral, rather, vital issue. Wait, parang tama ata yon a, “viral” issue, because at the rate he is going, parang nagkakavirus na ata ang isyu e.
O yes, many newsmen kept calling me to elaborate on my column on orders of Alvin probably. Uto uto rin ang mgamedia? Don’t think so. Nangingiliti lang ang mga yan. I believe what I wrote was sufficient in form and substance, right Raul Lambino?
Well, due to time constraint, I tripped, interchanging the city and DENR in a sentence. Sorry, but things like that happen all the time in writing.
But what is basic, what is at issue — and I expect Alvin, Mayor Benjie and the rest of the city and Bonuan officials as well as the DENR officials based in Dagupan, Pangasinan, Region I and the rest of the country — is to do something decisive and fast because a National Park is being robbed and raped right under our very noses.
O, ano, magtitingintiginan lang ba tayo? Magiismiran, manlalasian, magtatapunan ng akusasyon, manaatakian, mantatapisan na lang ba tayo?
The problem is not a joking matter, I tell you. Talaga namang rampant ang ganitong nakawan e. Even the province is saddled by it. I know billions worth of beach property have been sold out to private parties too. Isusunod ko rin ang imbestigasyoin dyan, mga adres in the province.
Wait lang kayo ha?
You know, I immediately resisted when certain city officials (I smell many of them have dipped their dirty fingers into the National Park cake) were frantically pleading the DENR to turn over the park to the city (so that their crime will be completely covered up?).
Hep, hep, wait, wait, teka teka (shades of Rene de Villa). Paimbestiga muna natin yong mga nagnakaw. Di ba nakaw ang tawag sa kukuha ang ari- arian na by law di kanya? Yong Tondaligan ari ng national government e.
Kukunin na lang ba ng siyudad na walang laban ang mga mamayan? Saan galing yong punto na yan? Papaano ang batas? Ha? Medyo, beterano ata tayo sa ganyang labanan. Let’s face others in court, adres. Tignan ko lang.
At kayo namang mga bata at alipores ni Spiker, bakit ninyo hinayaang mangyari ito sa kanyang neighborhood that parcels of government land have been sold to private parties?
That, my friend Alvin and ladies and gentlemen, is the great issue of our time. It’s not your directive to call me to the Sanggunian to recite my column in that “clownish” body. O, sige, the NPC people are here to tell you that journalists can’t be compelled by anyone, much less one who has spilled a biased mind to reveal his source.
Why not attend the seminar so that you will learn a little more? Si erpat mo naman ang host e. Good day and happy reading, Alvin? Please don’t send in the clowns.
(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/playing-with-fire/)
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