Saludo ako kay Dolphy at Susan Roces

By Gonzalo Duque

POLITICS, the most attractive and yet most poisonous preoccupation of our people, is reaching fever pitch because of the May elections.

In Dagupan (please do not begrudge me and my publisher, for writing often about Dagupan being the microcosm of Pangasinan), the hottest item is the perceived congressional race between Speaker Joe de Venecia and Mayor (and former Congressman) Benjie Lim.

Teka, teka, the rumor shops say NIA administrator Art Lomibao, in case he backs out from the gubernatorial race, might join the 4th district congressional fray, too. Art is known to be topping the surveys in the gubernatorial race, especially in the fourth district with Dr. Jamie Agbayani and Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino tying for second place.

Hmmm, Manong Art, sakey ka met ya nasasamalan lay pulitika amo? Ok, I agree that you are very popular. But being experienced with military intelligence, do you know what you are jumping into? Makaelew, magulo, makapahay-blood. Gwapong gwapo ka nimet being an outstanding former PNP chief, ompiano nadesyang kay pulitika!

I had a chat with Benjie and his loved ones. The guy and his family mean well.

But just this, if he really intends to  join the congressional snake pit against you-know-who, better be sure he has the toughest heart in the world, and think his options more without emotion.

Ang labanan na yan ay hindi biro  lalo na kung ang katunggali ay matinik. I sense that some would-be protagonists have a myopic view of things, sacrificing the bigger picture.

Aliwan pateyan ya laban ya, it’s a fight on who best serves the district and country. We are not producing local Genghis Khans, but one who has the brightest, toughest and most creative mind who can bring in, if the battleground is congress, the apple pie for the district.

Medyo nagkaproblema si Benjie when he was one time in congress because the president then was Erap, who was averse to a Lakas congressman.

Sana ang debatehan ay kung sino ang pinakadunong sa paguwi ng proyekto sa distrito. Kailangan matinik sa pakikihalobilo sa mga kaalyado sa kongreso, kasi kung nanalo ka naman  tapos wala kang maipapasa sa  kongreso, which is known as a den of thieves (representathieves cuan mo pa?) Ay lasi, akin ta a et labay yo tan a, Kuya Joe, Benjie, Art?)

At siyanga pala Kuya Joe, the world’s greatest parliamentarian being the president of the association of world parliamentarians, kung kulang ang nadadala mong goodies sa district, sabi ng Benjie papaano yan? At ikaw naman Benjie Boy, please don’t compare our city to Batangas  and Cavite, meybe sampung dekada pa para tayo makaabot sa mga yan. Tsaka ang liit ng syudad natin,di tama ang kumparison.Bangus business? Yan ang pang-global!

Basta ang masasabi ko sa inyo, mga pares ko, magkamay na kayo, huwag padalos dalos, dami tayo magagawa kung tulong tulong, huwag laban ng laban na parang wala ng bukas. Galing na tayo diyan, Walang ibibigay na kabutihan yong  laban na parang gusto ninyo ng magpatayan. Maggagalit ang Diyos.               

Now this is a tip to Kuya Joe, why don’t you mobilize your congress and help us realize a Metro Dagupan Commission development proposal? And why not implement now the Dagupan City National High School and West Central Elementary School modernization plans?  Also, why not allow Dagupan to vote for provincial officials? More, I suggest that the speaker do something to convert by legislation Pangasinan into a new region and bring home once more the regional offices that Marcos brought to La Union? Build a new city hall (lumang luma tayo sa Binmaley, San Fabian, Urdaneta, Alaminos, etc.)

What I’m saying is, ang laban, ang pan tuligsa ay gamitin lamang sa ika-uunlad ng bayan, and not to kill one another! Asermonan kayo lalaingen

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I am happy that my brother, Health Sec. Pingkoy, has decided not to run for senator. He heeded our advice despite constant proddings from political brokers in Manila.

When he came over as guest at the Philippine American Medical Mission last week, I was elated by his statement to the local media that his position in the cabinet gives him a better opportunity to   be of service to the people.

He said that we already have enough laws (so what’s there to be in the senate or congress for?)

Okay ang attitude ni Pingkoy, and I’m  happy to learn that  his department is consistently topping the surveys as the most graft-free and most effective in delivering service to the people.            

For days and nights, I have been praying for him not to be lured to politics. Maybe not yet.

I remembered the cases of good and nice friends who jumped into politics and suffered defeats that cost their lives. May poison talaga ang pulitika na yan e. I have advised  Pingkoy’s advisers to hold off in the meantime until  probably such time as when my brother is very, very ready or okeng oke na, na siguradong siguradong mananalo. You know it takes genius and supreme courage to hold off your gun when you are already holding the trigger. Saludo tayo sa mga taong marunong magcontrol, hindi padalos dalos, nakamamatay ang pulitika, baka akala nyo.                 

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 In this election season, Dolphy and Susan Roces are my two heroes. They refuse to be stampeded into running for public office because, as Dolphy said, “ano naman ang gagawin ko diyan kung nanalo ako?” Ay, talagang mananalo yan!

In Susan Roces’ case, she said she would be more credible by not being lured intro politics. She knows her place in the sun. Mabuhay ka, Susan!

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

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