Game of the generals (& their lieutenants)

By Gonzalo Duque

THE Christmas decorations and expensive lights in Dagupan City have created the impression that all is well in many a Dagupeño’s life.

But is it?

Many of my friends, including those who worked like hell for the election of  some of   our officials, remain jobless. Worse, their cousins and relatives have lost their jobs in the name of retrenchment. The city is bankrupt.

When I queried a budget office staff about this alleged bankruptcy, he answered this way:  How come, but I still receive my salary regularly. Tama nga naman but what about those who were relieved by the city’s observance of austerity measures. How about the impoverished families? Is not government’s first and fundamental responsibility to provide jobs… so that families and people will live?

But the Christmas sights and sounds say “everything is all right.”  Even the over-powdered and beautified pogi and pretty looks of our city officials have suddenly appeared in every corner of the street.

By golly, in the guise of Christmas holidays, nag show-off pa ng kanilang  retrato! Hindi tayo dapat ma inggit diyan. Masyado  naman kayong halata, agaguik ira. Cheap nyo.

Ha? Election na?

Sige na nga, ibigay ang hilig, akala natin  kasi, our officials are introducing reforms e. Sila pala ang first violators ano? Nakaka….  sabagay, that kind of billboard advertising has some  appeal to the masa, to the tao, to  the poor, to the great unwashed.

Reforms? Tell that to the marines!

*        *         *

Look at this, dear readers. The city Magsaysay Park-Market (Parket, for short) is being leased for P1 million a year. Grabe met, Alvin!

O, don’t get me wrong, ha, the vice mayor is my favorite politician, definitely not my pet peeve. Type ko lang istorbohin because he is occupying a very delicate responsibility, yon bang tagapanday ng local ordinances. Natural lang na tatanungin natin siya diba, mga agagui?  Besides, it’s not right for him to get mad at critics like me. Sana matuwa siya at may nagpapakita ng concern, ng care, ng pagmamalasakit.  Otherwise, matutulad siya sa mga spoiled brats. Di ba?

Tignan nyo nga naman, Paorey ka tay ilelease da tay Bugnay property for P1 million a year only? Grabey inkacheap tayo la!  Singa la impakerew yoy ciudad tayo! Anac na lasi! What’s happening to our city, ha Alvin? Again, mantetake cover la lamet, unaamot ka ha? Heard he threw the matter to Councilor Jojo Guadiz, who seems to be more intelligent.     

The  Bugnay, the Tondaligan billion robbery, the  Awai deal, the overpriced  street lights, the McAdore  deal, naku sangkatutak yan sakit na ulo! Pampangasi yo met kari.  Asikasoyo met yayi baley tayon nianakan, agaguik ira.

These Sanggunian transactions are acquiring an odious smell having contracted notoriety for cover-up. Reminds me about how a big deal dangled before smelly noses of the Sangganuan, rather, Sanggunian when they frantically used a candle light so that a juicy deal would get the clowncilors’ signatures.

I must warn you, ladies and gentlemen, that your slip is showing. Correction, not slip, I mean, your zipper is wide open for all to see.

As of this writing, typhoon Reming  was  lashing Dagupan City, and if I know our clowncilors,  simbilis ng kidlat, faster than lightning gumalaw, ika nga if the price is right.   

Please, lang, pampanangasi yo.Ciudad yay ikukurang yo! Apiger yo met so trabaho yo ha, please lang, mga pare ko!  Thank you very much.

*         *         *

The ghost of General Ramos is all over Pangasinan. Why do I say this? Because many of our elective officials are now coming from the military.

We have General Art Lomibao in the gubernatorial race. We have General Boysie Braganza in the first district congressional race.  I heard General Freddie de Vera is thinking of the mayorship in San Fabian town.

And so is General Joe Calimlim who, reports say, is eyeing congress in the 3rd district where another general, Reynaldo Velasco, is already busy visiting barangays and schools to take Congressman Tulagan’s seat. 

In Rosales, former police chief, General (or Colonel) Ricardo Revita is reportedly unbeatable.

Out there in San Quintin, Colonel Marlo Chan, according to my spy, is salivating over the brother in law’s post.

This militarization syndrome is not new. In fact, General Orly Soriano ran against Gener Tulagan in the 3rd district before.

Is the Philippine political arena now the generals’ coliseum?                        

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/playing-with-fire/)

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