Playing with Fire
Random poll favors SM rise in Dagupan
By Gonzalo Duque
OF the cacophony of ideas, opinions, analyses and what-have-yous on the issue of jueteng, the so-called illegal numbers game – or the casino of the poor—the most pragmatic suggestion yet was given by former senator now Philippine Star columnist Ernie Maceda.
His idea is very simple but squarely hits the nail on the head: retire all old policemen because they are notoriously in cahoots with jueteng lords. Most, let’s say 98 percent of our cops, are “on the take,” anto ya la so labay kon ibaga tan., Mahirap kalabanin ang datong, mga padres.Ankakabaleg ya bayong ya cuarta tay juiteng, awa Manny Roy.
And here’s another great, doable, implementable, and realistic idea: legalize it.
What makes jueteng evil and bad is the “payola” (the grease money), isn’t it? Porke, mawawala na yan kung legal na.
Former Presidents Ramos and Erap are for its legalization. We too are for it but with an amendment – the “saved payola” should go to education – building new schools, new classrooms and scholarships.
Ok ba? Si Archbishop Oscar Cruz naman, kung anong sinasabi pa na legalized jueteng will corrode the moral fiber of the people. Kayo naman, Fathe , ni diyan lang sa bakuran ninyo, tumatanggap din sa jueteng a..
Huag na tayong magbulag-bulagan. Weed out the evil in jueteng – the payola, and everything will be normal.
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In Dagupan, the hottest issue these days is the announced construction of SM Mall in its eastern section and also the ongoing construction of Robinson housing project—to be complemented by a mall – in the town of Calasiao. We are back on the subject because it is a whopping subject, pinaguusapan kahit saan sa Dagupan ngayon.
If we go by the public’s reaction, most of them are excited, in favor, delighted, and in love with SM. Tangible signs of sure progress, they say. If you ask us, probably only two persons and their super alalays may be against SM’s coming to the city. We are referring to Mayor Benjie Lim, the high priest of Magic Mall chain and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, the high priestess of the CSI chain. Tama, di ba? Napakasakit, Kuya Benjie.
But these developments—SM’s and Robinson’s coming—are unstoppable… being economic indicators. And so, we pray, we want to see our two friends, Mayor Benjie and Vice Mayor Belen to show some measure of statesmanship. We hope their actions and/or reactions to the malls’ “invasion of Metro Dagupan” should be dictated by the public interest.
Kung baga, our two friends are now situated between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. They are expected with all their might to reject SM, but doing so will expose their private, business motives. But knowing the two, they will try to keep their cards close to their chests muna. And eventually, their highest selves will prevail. We hope. Pankaabigan met lam lamang na ciudad tayo ya. Who among the Dagupenos would not like this? We predict that with SM’s rising, and also Robinsson’s, we will be part and parcel of their multiplier effects. Tataas ang presyo ng real estate. Pangasinan and Metro Dagupan would become a socio economic magnet in the north. Madami ang yayaman! Did you know that during Hans Sy’s courtesy call on Mayor Lim, he told the group that the proposed SM in Dagupan alone could provide the city with 5,000 employees and workers. Mantakin ninyo? Whereas, Vice Mayor Belen only promised to provide 200 employees when her hotel is realized.
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In a recent talk with Board Member Jaming Libunao, we learned that the North Luzon Express engineers may realign the project to consider exiting in the town of San Fabian and on towards La Union.
If you are looking hard, this revelation by Jaming would mean our beloved Metro Dagupan and the rest of Pangasinan would be benefited by the new modern infrastructure. Mapalar ira yay opisyales tayo, awa, kabaleyan? Dakdakkel so nagagawan kamaongan ed bilay tayo, katon misalamat tayon naynay ed Amalsad sicatayo. Ipolisay ira tay sibangotan tan gotgottan, because you know, as they say, progress waits for no one. Ta no andi atilak tayo lad biyahe. Manaaroan itayo, mga igan. And let’s not forget to thank our stars and God Almighty for His blessings.
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