Absentee Guadiz is back to “work”

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

Our report about the insistence of Mr. Roberto Sison, the favorite contractor of my favorite mayor Mr. Benjie Lim, to invoke his right not to comment on the missing steel bars and trusses on abandoned Bugnay commercial center only serves to validate our suspicion that something stinks to high heavens in the Magsaysay Tourism complex project being pursued by my favorite mayor.

            First, the bidding for the project showed telltale signs of a failed bidding but the city legal officer, Dindin Baniqued, provided the legal gobbledygook to uphold the proceedings, never mind that the documents used were clearly aimed at misrepresenting facts. Second, my favorite mayor asked the city council to pass a resolution on an after-the-fact basis, meaning he completed the negotiation without city council’s authorization then now demands it purely as an administrative compliance with the law. Thirdly, absentee Onor-onor chief Teofilo Guadiz III submitted his committee’s endorsement of the project presenting arguments that practically subverted the truth. (Mercifully, that report is still unsigned. Why kaya?).

            Now comes the refusal of the contractor who cleared the area in question to shed light on the missing steel bars. (In our book, it’s called obstruction of justice).     

            If you still don’t smell that something stinks, you should see your friendly EENT tomorrow.

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            What bothers me no end, however, is the seeming helplessness of Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez when he and other members of the conscience bloc can very well do something about these shenanigans.

            For starters, the committee hearings should stop and instead convene a formal investigation of the missing city properties. After that, the city council should adopt the resolution directing the city legal officer to file a case against Mr. Sison for removing the steel bars and trusses without legal authority. I believe Mr. Sison’s lawyer will describe the criminal act as “stealing government property.”   

            But it takes political will to do these. Without it, I can believe why VM Alvin feels helpless. He probably feels safer being helpless.

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GUADIZ TOWS THE TOW-TRUCK. Now on to the next mess, the illegal towing services in Dagupan.

            The new twist here is we again see Chief Onor-onor Guadiz taking the cudgels kuno for the city. As if on cue, he has taken a combative stance on the issue just like he did when he got wind of the highly irregular transaction of the city for the “planned” Magsaysay Tourism complex.

            His stance demanding written explanations from the ever “resourceful” City Administrator Raffy Baraan, city legal officer Baniqued and POSO head Robert Erfe Mejia reminds me of the ploy he used to give the impression that he was poised to stop the Magsaysay project. But as we know today, he made a not so surprising turnaround and practically shoved all the legal arguments out the window, citing his knowledge of banking practices involving his clients.

            In fact, his arguments against the three city officials were the same arguments that many had expected him to cite in rebuffing the city mayor and deny his request for the resolutions that he desired. But he did exactly the opposite.           

            Don’t blink while Mr. Guadiz turns on the heat on these guys…you might miss another grand turnaround worth millions.

            But again, it baffles me that the city council continues to treat this anomalous collusion between the office of the city mayor with kid gloves, merely convening hearings and investigations.

            Why demand for explanations giving them the option to ignore the demands when my favorite mayor and the JLD Motorworks can be sued for violation of anti-graft and corruption laws ora mismo.

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NOT TRUE. The letter of former Councilor Louie Catubig, whose name was included in the list of Mr. Juanito Lagao as among those that have been issued mere tax declarations, addressed to The PUNCH clarifying the status of his property is certainly an eye-opener.

            He maintains he only has one property, not two, and it is not part of the controversial Tondaligan Park. I have no reason to doubt Atty. Catubig’s claim (see Punch Forum) and I believe it’s for Mr. Lagao to either prove the veracity of the inclusion of Atty. Catubig’s name in his listing or issue an apology to the Catubig family and to The PUNCH for this error. 

            For our part, we thank Louie for calling our attention.

***

THE PROMISING MAN. Mr. Mark Jimenez (O.K.A. – that’s “originally known as” to you – Mario Crespo) blew into town doing what he does best –  to buy, not to win, the hearts and minds of the Pinoy with his millions.

            While he appears to be extra generous to people who mob him, one cannot but detect a condescending sneer on his face while he “obliges” crowds with wads of peso bills straight from his pockets. I can sense he actually has nothing but contempt for the people who fawn over him after pocketing his “barya”.

It should be recalled, this is the same man who thought nothing of conspiring with President Erap to fleece businessmen of their profits using the awesome power of the presidency. Today, MJ has turned against his patron who has since lost his political power. Soon, he will be biting off the hands of GMA. Watch him.

            If it’s any consolation to Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino and Cong. Amado Espino, what many don’t know about MJ is that he is the “most promising” man around town. He relishes the sight of hopeful, woeful eyes on hearing him promise millions then leaves and quickly suffers selective amnesia.

            The only “million” promise that he reportedly fulfilled was his promise to the organization of parents who lost their educational plan

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

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