Keeping up the fight for good governance

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

I have no doubt in my mind that Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim and his ilk already find his vice mayor to be pesky, troublesome, irritating, a total asshole and an ingrate.

But Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez should take heart because in the dictionary of decent loving citizens who admire an independent mind anchored on integrity, all these name-calling mean he’s honest, courageous and a conscientious public servant.

To Vice Mayor Alvin, don’t give up the fight! Do the Fernandez clan proud!

To the newfound members of the city council’s “conscience bloc”, namely Councilors Michael Fernandez, Farah Decano, Jose Netu Tamayo and Alex De Venecia, you have won our   people’s admiration knowing you stood your ground, turned your backs on what could have been an easy and lucrative exercise in legislation if you had agreed to do exactly what Mr. Mayor had attempted to dictate on you.

And I have news for the many others who laughed their way to the bank after Siapno cousins Mark and Alex were “awarded” the contract.  The decision to rush the start of the construction before the election ban is akin to their digging their graves deeper. Guess who will have the last laugh? 

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‘KISS OF DEATH’? Here’s a very telling account of how politicians allied with the administration view an Arroyo endorsement.

In a recent TV interview, Presidential chief of staff Mike Defensor underscored and sang paeans to his attachment and fierce loyalty to President Gloria Arroyo, and that he sincerely believes she did not cheat in the 2004 elections. Ho-hum… that was predictable.

What was totally unexpected was how he quickly ducked the question on whether he would like to be seen and caught on camera with his arms raised by Mrs. Arroyo as a sign of her endorsement. He hemmed and hawed and blabbered about campaign strategies that require different strokes, etc. Enough of loyalty talks.

What he left unsaid in so many ways was that an endorsement of President Arroyo would be a kiss of death!

But while that may now be the general sentiment in many parts of the country, the Pangasinan politicos read the writing on the wall differently.

The Biskeg na Pangasinan outdid itself when it made First Gentleman Mike Arroyo its honorary member (or chairman?), never mind that he is the icon of political bullies (as far as the national media is concerned), the usual suspect for grand scale smuggling (ask Ramon Tulfo, his erstwhile “partner-in-crime”) and secret bank accounts for laundering purposes (ask Ping Lacson and Alan Cayetano)! And the latest report is, his endorsement for the governor’s post is even perceived to be crucial in determining who should get the support of Biskeg members. 

Perhaps, Mrs. Arroyo should already seriously consider transferring Malacañang Palace to Pangasinan, the only place in the country where their endorsements are still held sacred. Perhaps the only obstacle to that vision is the presence of Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim who I am certain will not be seen holding Mrs. Arroyo’s hands up high-over his dead body! But I suspect that will only be true until she delivers on her promise to give him P50 million for his pet project, the Bangus Processing Plant. In Mayor Benjie’s book, you know there is a price for everything.

But before Usec. Bebot Villar goes overboard in seducing the Arroyo couple; I suggest he asks all Biskeg’s members individually (and secretly) first as to whom among them are, indeed, willing to be publicly endorsed by the FG. Might Mr. Arroyo be surprised by the outcome? Hmmm.              

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THE SQUATTERS ON BLUE BEACH. Perusing the list of the persons and families who “bought” lands inside the Tondaligan Park submitted by Mr. Juanito Lagao, former Administrator of the Parks to DENR Sec. Angelo Reyes, I was amazed to find among them the “Who’s who in Dagupan” and those who profess to be civic leaders! Some even work in Mayor Benjie’s Office! What gall!

Owing to space limitations, we are constrained to publish the list of names (with corresponding “tax declarations” and areas) by installments. If some names are familiar to you, do something for the city. I suggest you give them a friendly call and say you read his/her name in the list. That’s all.

Let’s see if they will still keep their jewel “beach lot” even knowing that friends like you already know that it was “bought” under highly suspicious circumstances. Perhaps this will be enough to prod them to either surrender what is not rightfully theirs or stop being “dummies” for some corrupt politicians.

       But certainly, this is a job for the city council’s conscience bloc! Dagupeños must know who was and who is responsible for the continued illegal sale of these choice beach lots that rightfully belong to the city, who have been issuing those tax declarations, and on whose orders.

If this is not settled in this generation, our great grandchildren will be born to a Bonuan Beach that only a few can enjoy.

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“DAGUPEÑA” IN CALASIAO. Those who grew up seeing Dagupeña Restaurant on A.B. Fernandez Ave. in Dagupan City beside another landmark, the Vicar Hotel, surely miss those days when one could easily meet up with friends and family for the Dagupeña treat in downtown area!

      But while one senses a missing link in the city’s heritage on seeing the empty lot where once stood the house that hosted Dagupeña, one feels a true consolation today that the joys of partaking Dagupeña’s sumptuous food and generous servings have been secured for future generations after it found a permanent home in Calasiao.

       As the Castro-Bernal family conceded, the move was not easy. Firstly, it was not their decision to move, the Quesada home simply had to be demolished. But just when most everyone woefully predicted a death knell for Dagupeña the day she packed up to move to Calasiao, the family was exceedingly surprised to learn that the big move was actually a blessing in disguise. Its patronage has since increased, and business could not have been better.

And the self-effacing Emma Bernal credits her daughter Anne, a chef in her own right, for the bold, wise move. Three cheers for the new generation of entrepreneurs.

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YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR TO WATCH. Speaking of bold and innovative entrepreneurs in the city, a young man to watch is Howie Cham, son of George and Judith Cham.

      It was he who transformed the building that housed the A&W fast-food into a mini-mall of shops that now hosts great events and eating destinations in the city. When everyone thought the business of drinking coffee can only thrive in cities like Metro Manila, he brought a franchise of Gloria Jean’s to the area. And voila, Dagupeños learned to start paying for really good coffee and desserts!

Not content with his initial success, he has gambled on re-introducing a menu of popular Japanese food items inside his Enzo Resto. His items are reasonably priced and quality is pretty good, I must say.

With entrepreneurs like him staying put, Dagupan City will soon wear a new face. 

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/punchline/)

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