Ethical politics 

By Ermin Garcia Jr.  
 

JUN V’s column item last issue on former Councilor Michael Fernandez’s thoughts on his wife’s, Councilor Maybelyn, reasons for finally refusing to join her colleagues in the final push for accountability and transparency in the city hall was revealing as it was utterly disappointing.

According to my relative Michael, Councilor Maybelyn is reneging on her commitment to join her colleagues in filing a case against Dagupan Mayor Benjie Lim for the illegal disbursement of calamity funds because of the prospect that she will become the vice mayor if and when Mayor Benjie is removed from office. Duh?

Well, I got news for the couple. Perish the thought of becoming a vice mayor because there is no way she will become one by succession if no case is filed and prosecuted.  So what ethical politics is the couple talking about? It would appear now that Ms. Fernandez rather be silent about the corruption being committed before her eyes than be perceived to have ulterior motive to be vice mayor. Duh?

What a parochial, pathetic and hypocritical view of self-importance.

A true leader never fears public perception if he/she firmly believes the cause is right and just regardless of political consequences, good or bad.  People want devoted public servants to assume higher positions in government because they seek to protect people’s interests over their own. A traditional politician only thinks of his/her political interests first and foremost, people’s plight only third, their family’s interests being second.

So which one are you Councilor Maybelyn? I pray you will be enlightened soon being young, bright and seemingly idealistic.

P.S.  What is politically ethical and honest is for one to discern whether he or she deserves to assume a higher post knowing he/she did nothing to deserve it.

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TALKING TOUGH. The Dagupan City sanggunian is right to be indignant over the continued belligerence of Mayor Lim towards it as an institution.  

Mr. Lim’s latest antic, refusing to allow any department head to appear before the city council for the budget deliberation and still blame the council for not acting on the budget, is nothing new. But that’s what precisely how Mr. Lim regards the city council, particularly, if it refuses to be his “onor-onor” subjects.

I am, therefore, heartened to see Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez finally showing some spunk in defense of the integrity and mandate of the city’s sanggunian. Belated as it may seem, it is refreshing to hear her finally talking tough for what is right. For sometime now, Ms. Fernandez was clearly reluctant to tell off her mayor for constantly treating the council like a wet doormat.  

If Ms. Fernandez had not finally spoken up  –  to lay the blame finally on the mayor for refusing to be transparent and accountable on his proposed budget – expect Mr. Lim to run roughshod over the majority  in the council like it was a natural thing for him to do…and he would expect the councilors in the majority to simply gripe in one corner.  

It’s time to see a true check and balance system in place for the benefit of the city’s populace.   

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I AM NOT GONZ. I am seriously considering filing a libel case against one local weekly.

No, it didn’t print anything defamatory about my being critical of Dagupan City hall occupants but worse, it published my photo in the story that was purely about Pangasinan Press Club president Gonz Duque. While the story did not identify me as the person in the picture, it clearly gave the impression that Gonz and I are one and the same person! A very dangerous and deadly proposition! (Right Gonz?).

First of all, while our minds may run along the same gutter on many issues, I vehemently deny that we are alike. His issue with city hall is about its illegal collection of business taxes, mine is about corruption.  (To DCPS – please make sure everyone in the force can clearly identify Gonz in case Mr. Lim decides to have him arrested for any reason).

Secondly, I do not wish to be embarrassed by nasty insinuations why I suddenly drive only a Mazda sedan just because Gonz drives around in his 2-door Mercedes sports car. He’s the rich guy, I’m not. The “Prince and the Pauper”?

Thirdly, while there is no debate over the fact that he is perilously better looking (but I’d like to think I have better tastes…never mind in what), I certainly have no intention of being a collateral damage, being shot at for mistaken identity, particularly by an enraged jealous husband. (Gonz, though, admitted that on one occasion some years ago he was flattered to see a streamer on a stage, welcoming him as the guest speaker…only to be shocked on seeing the face on the streamer was not his but mine!).

So to my friends in the other weekly, Gonz suggested I demand a public apology. And if I may add, post Gonz’s ala Brad Pitt picture in your next issue clearly identifying him for my personal protection and in defense of my dignity. Failing both, I will be constrained to go to court.

However, if and when I go to court, I am not sure if it ‘d be to my advantage to engage Atty. Gonz as my lawyer.  I fear that the judge might just throw out my complaint on day 1 because he, too, can’t tell me from Gonz. Heaven forbid!

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DOING BUSINESS IN MANGALDAN. There’s something good happening in Mangaldan today. Definitely, it’s a show of political will, with some judicious and creative thinking that other towns and cities should consider adopting when weighed down by a seeming insurmountable traffic dilemma.  

Read this. Mayor Herminio Romero recently issued his DILG Memo Circular no. 2011-68 “banning tricycles and pedicabs on the national highway, particularly along the town’s J. Rizal Avenue”.  The overcrowding of tricycles and pedicabs in the area had resulted in poor business among establishments in the area, hence the 3-wheelers had to go. 

Kudos to the town’s police chief Supt. Mateo Casupang and traffic enforcer chief, retired naval officer Jorge de Vera. They dared to present to the mayor the unthinkable yet practical and legal solution to the town’s nagging traffic problem.  Many bottlenecks and traffic jams in public places are partly caused by tricycle and pedicab drivers because they consider themselves exempted. The town’s new traffic rule nipped it on the bud. 

Passing through and doing business in the town’s business district today is now a breeze, an atmosphere conducive to doing business in the town. Mangaldanons only hope the mayor will sustain his decision for the good of the majority in his town. Ditto here.

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THE WITCHES.  While the legal luminaries in Manila are knocking their heads off with varied contentions about the looming constitutional crisis as a result of the TRO contra DOJ in PGMA’s case, here’s how Tayug Judge Ulysses Butuyan sees it:

“A hold-departure Order is like an arrest warrant that may be issued only after a court (not DOJ) finds probable cause to justify restraint of one’s liberty. Nowhere is a watchlist that operates like a warrant allowed by the basic law. Watchlists should be the sole use of witches in the government service.”

Mismo!

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