Playing with Fire
Calasiao in, Dagupan out!
By Gonzalo Duque
DON’T get excited with our head. We are merely dramatizing a point.
For several columns now, we have been harping on the merit of an SM Dagupan in opposition to those–a handful lang naman expectedly led by Mayor Benjie Lim and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, ironically that is–blocking it for utterly private reasons.
Even in the US while we hobnobbed with Dagupenos there, the majority of them welcome the proposed Dagupan branch of SM. Why? Well, you can’t fight progress.
Not only that. Those who are presumed to be opposing it are engaged in the same business. And so it’s here where the moral issue concerning businessmen running for public office comes in. If the matter of conflict of interest is raised, you’d see what kind of leaders we have. They have to choose between business and public interest.
We’re happy though that Mayor Lim, according to the grapevine, is showing ample signs of a broadminded attitude.
We restate this in stronger terms because the town of Calasiao is “under siege” right now — by business and economic leaders. They want to cash in on the forthcoming opening of Robinsons next year. Now this is a done deal. Vice Mayor Roy Macanlalay has confirmed that the ongoing construction will be completed next December, year 2011.
This influx of business bonanza for Calasiao is a clear and imminent threat to Dagupan’s snobbish attitude to big business.
We hope our cumpadre Benjie will really go for it. As for Belen, we also hope her proposed 5-star hotel at the De Venecia Diversion Road materializes, yes, mga igan, in the name of progress.
Stop progress, and you’re dead. But some few others will try to distort the meaning. of allowing big business entering our shores. Sabi nila, let’s patronize our own. Panon to tan met ey, no wadtan la tay big SM ya mangiter na 5,000 workers for Pangasinan, kalabanen yo ni? What are you?
Kayong mga business-minded na opisyales, apalaboan kimet la. We know, everybody knows. Melmelag so Dagupan. Peyton Place kuanyo pa! Iyaamot yo ni tay milyones, nasisingob da lan amin. That’s why, the general public is appealing to the moneyed few to part a little with their huge money, so that, as they say in the negotiation at the canto, “everybody happy.” Right, Chito?
* * *
We are saddened by the slaying of newsman Dino Zabala’s 26-year old son, who was an asset of the CIDG. His body was found dumped somewhere in Bonuan Boquig in Dagupan City. Stunned by the tragedy our friend Dino could only cry to heavens, “my son knew too mch, that’s why!
Before, we used to say, a little learning is a dangerous thing. Now, if you know too much, it’s also dangerous. We appeal to the authorities to get to bottom of this case. Ni miembro na medya tay father to.
As this developed, reports have it that jueteng is back in Pangasinan. Ho-hum!
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