Disturbing Pattern

  By Gonzalo Duque

WE, Filipinos and most Pangasinenses, were shocked by the tragedy that befell former Senator Rene Saguisag.

His wife, the former Dulce Maramba Quintans from Malasiqui, granddaughter of the first Pangasinan Governor Don Daniel Maramba, died in a vehicular accident somewhere in Pasay Road in Makati City at dawn Thursday.

We know the family, especially the couple. Rene, a brilliant lawyer, was our former professor in San Beda.  Rene and us are usually in opposite political views, but we respect his views in the same way he does ours.

Maka Erap siya, at ako naman ay alam nyo na. We hope the tragedy will send us a lesson or two.

Nakakapanlulumo – ang bait ng mag-asawang yan.

Someone held our attention. “Pare Gons, di ba si Atty. Saguisag anti-Gloria? Natatakot ako e, tignan mo ang mga kahambal hambal na nangyayari sa mga anti- Gloria? Sina FPJ, Raul Roco naku,  ayaw kong isipin!”

Coincidence lang siguro, we thought. But the pattern is disturbing.

Meanwhile, let us pray for the repose of Dulce Saguisag’s soul and the recovery of Atty. Rene who as this writing was still critical in the hospital.

* * *

Applied in the political wars in the Palace and Congress, we fear for those who are anti GMA forces.

Maybe not Speaker Jose de Venecia himself, but those around him especially his son Joey, who has not stopped criticizing the President.

Sana hindi magkatotoo and warning ng mga alays ni Ate Glo. That if Speaker Joe de V cannot control his son, then he’l lose the speakership.  Let’s pray that it would not reach this point. Kaibigan at kababayan natin si Spiker JDV, and we are praying that all would be really well between GMA and JDV.

You are right.  JDV is exceptionally brilliant, but GMA has “heavenly allies.”  Gloria e.

* * *

All told, concerned friends and allies of PGMA and SJDV are united in praying that the two would not part political way that their alliance wouldn’t break.

“It’s disastrous to both of them,” and if they break up and if that happens the opposition which has been salivating for a power grab will stage a take-over, and in what manner, God forbid!  We can’t say!

Many friends have texted us, and told us in informal chats that they have deep concern to the difficult and unhappy situation the two leaders are tangled in.

* * *

The race to the barangay ABC and SK federation leadership is on. Our advice to the powers-that-be: please give these barangay leaders free, democratic rein in the elections for their federation leaders.

Don’t strangle the process. Major reason our country is cracking is politics, politics, politics.

Ninoy Aquino is right.  You may be in power now, but if you misuse and abuse it, people will spit at your grave later. Kawawa ang mga anak at mga kaanak  niyo.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/playing-with-fire/ Readers may reach columnist at punch.sunday@gmail.com . For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)