Think about it
NBN too hot & too heavy to handle!
By Jun Velasco
THE Holy Book’s axiom on the oneness of the son and the father has caused Speaker Joe de Venecia’s bashers sleepless nights.
JdV’s superstar son Joey has dramatically soared to global prominence because of the controversial broadband deal. How come? Because Joey trained his guns on someone feared by most — the First Gentleman – hinting involvement in a wrongdoing.
By a loose count, no one believes that the erpat had no hand in the young man’s bravado vis a vis the Arroyos.
But would he? We who have known the Speaker for “centuries” couldn’t see any sign he would in any way court the ire of the President and her family. Joe de V is a quintessential peaceful man and peacemaker.
But the spitfire son, who in our mind has an unblemished record for honesty and fairness, is the friendliest young man we’ve known.
Probably, given the situation he’s been pushed into — his bid ($200 less than what Comelec chair Ben Abalos and Sec. Larry Mendoza bidded) and without cost to the government — we could only presume some patience has reached the snapping point.
Meanwhile, despite the putdowns by GMA’s demure daughter Luli on Joey as a former drug user, JdV’s heir apparent — by a confluence of events — has been thrust sky-high as an incorruptible young man.
Political brokers are now doing a spade work for Joey as a shoo-in for the Senate. They say the timing is perfect because the country is looking for a hero. These brokers are talking nonstop about the country being mired in gargantuan corruption, apathy, ineptitude and a social malaise that have prevented the nation from cruising the perilous waters successfully.
As they say, “many are called, but few are chosen.” Joey could be a chosen one, who knows.
* * *
Since his election as Sta. Barbara mayor, General Reynaldo Velasco has become the subject of speculations he is merely building the first layer for a bigger political edifice – and with good reasons.
Fact is, Rey is over qualified for the mayoral post. His tall credentials — one of the most decorated young generals of the country with a recently tested hoi poloi savvy — there is a sense in the speculation that he is in for a higher post in the government service. Congressman Rey?
His initial efforts to plot the town’s developmental direction topped by a seminar at Clark show his seriousness in bringing meaningful development to Sta. Barbara.
Good luck and more power, insan Rey.
We see a similar case in Alaminos City, Mayor Nani Braganza’s turf where socio economic development projects are ceaselessly being inaugurated left and right.
Despite his “action man” Wilmer Panabang’s self-imposed low profile, the city’s dramatic developmental performance is telltale of ambitious goals. We won’t be surprised if the Capitol will be in Nani’s next priorities.
* * *
By and large, most Filipinos are in the dark on what the overpriced $329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) contract is all about.
Why is the government preoccupied with broadband (sounds contraband?) when it hasn’t yet paved mile-long country roads in poverty-stricken areas nationwide?
Well, what does it intend to do with it? DOTC Sec. Leandro Mendoza (he was former Pangasinan police director) signed in Shenzhen, China for the Philippine government and Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment Company Limited (ZTE, for short) a contract in which ZTE will provide the facilities and knows how to ensure that government offices become more efficient and effective.
A lot of people are scandalized by the contract’s unconscionably high cost and because some people are tripping all over the place on its account.
* * *
Our friend businessman Rosendo “Sendong” So rejects certain local economists’ theory that cash crops should replace rice on our table because it is priced highly in the homeland. He says what we should do and with government support is to instead fully develop rice production because first, it can be done and because it is our staple food.
It is defeatist if we just yield to China and Vietnam simply because they are selling their rice in our country at a lower price. What’s important is to find out why we are losing in the equation. We can reverse the situation if we have the will, according to Sendong.
Sendong, president of the Eastern Pangasinan Chamber of Commerce, just planed in after a seminar of young entrepeneurs in Beijing representing 30 countries.
Siyanga naman. Why turn your back on as favorite cereal just because it’s not at presenty doing well in the price market? Sendong’s wise counsel: Let’s ask why and correct the situation. If there’s a will, there’s a way, right, Sir Sendong?
(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/think-about-it/)
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