Think about it
Espino-Agbayani debate proposed
By Jun Velasco
OUR Manila Bay Breakfast Club had a euphoric Friday with Isabela Governor Grace Padaca at the National Press Club.
The reason is she glowed with wit and courage all throughout the forum, and to a query by Boulevardier publisher Chando Morallos on why she was rooting for Noynoy Aquino when he doesn’t have the Cory and Ninoy magic, the charismatic and pretty governor, said, “it’s fine that Noynoy doesn’t have the Cory or Ninoy magic be cause thousands of others who have acquired their own magic will bestow it to him, and what a powerful magic Noynoy would have!”
Earlier in Dagupan, ABS CBN got our view when Noynoy declared he was running for president.
We said his declaration would henceforth change the political landscape.
True enough, the SWS polled Luzon’s voting sentiment a couple of weeks back showing Noynoy scoring 58 percent with Manny l4 percent, and Chiz and Erap tying at l3 percent.
Which is why we haven’t hesitated to predict that, if the elections were clean, Noynoy would win overwhelmingly.
This our hapless country has been seesawing from darkness to gloom with 90 million Filipinos feeling hopeless every day, and needing a break – a fast break into the light, if you will.
The elections next year, let’s hope it will happen, will define our nation’s future.
Let’s say “goodbye” to the politics of money and convenience for the sake of our children and their children. It’s been too long we have temporized for fleeting pleasure. Let’s give power to where it belongs – to the people, especially the poor.
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At our Metro Cubao Wednesday night meeting, Director Pol Bataoil gave a candid talk about his memorable 30 years in the Philippine National Police.
Candid because he even gave his fellow Rotarians an eyeful of why most ex police and military generals are millionaires and why President Arroyo has many ex generals in her government.
His repartees were cute, good and very proper, so that the two visiting assistant governors (PP Teri Ledesma and Charlie Buenaventura) only knew this late that Pol, a congressional bet in the 2nd district, is a wonder boy in communications.
How he placated the mother of a son fatally shot in a melee was legend. Ditto with how he kept angry Muslims at bay when he was Southern Command director.
Pol has a way of handling tough issues in a light manner, and a light situation in a meaningful way. His is always a win-win feat. It’s tough to knock him out in any election game.
Is Pol running for congressman or mayor of Lingayen? We asked him that, and he seemed to favor the first.
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Stung by insinuations that Congressman Victor Agbayani is, media reports say, challenging Gov. Amado “Spines” Espino to a debate, the Capitol occupant is now daring the media to make it happen.
It seems Spines while abroad had received text messages that the former governor allegedly wanted to frontally meet the former military officer in the same forum and debate effective governance or who of them can run the province better.
When the matter was again brought up at the Talakayan sa Kapitolyo. Spines, who lacks tolerance of petty talk told Butch to task the press club to host it.
Spines said ” That’s good so that we raise the level of campaign to a higher ground.” The topic? Governance and “any topic under the sun.”
What many do not know is that while Victor was a decorated UP engineering student, Spines was a college prize debater and president of the student council.
Spines’ boys love to say that in his only two years as governor, he has done a lot which dwarfs what his predecessors have done combined.
On health care, education, agriculture, peace and order among many others where he has scored highly.
Spines whispered to a confidant, “Tignan ko lang kung sino ang mapapahiya? You know in debate, it’s proof and evidence that ensure victory may ipapakita kaya sila?
* * * *
Congressman Joe de Venecia’s junior, Joey, is not yet out of the senatorial contention. He held a presscon last Friday when Erap and his team barnstormed here. In the latest SWS survey he was Number l4 among the senator wannabes. It means, if he campaigns his popularity would shoot up, but Daddy Joe wants him to show that he could rank 5th or 6th. Dale Cabrera told us, how could he when he hasn’t begun to campaign?
The other Pangasinan senatoriable – Health Sec. Pingkoy Duque – could be the next Cabinet man to quit the government if his brother Gons’ “seductive” overtures would succeed. Gons reported to former Govs. Raffy Colet and Oscar Orbos who are leading the Noynoy campaign in Pangasinan that he won’t sleep until he gets Pingkoy to the LP side.
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