Think about it
Mayor-elect Fernandez takes a bow
By Jun Velasco
“Whoever is the greatest servant among you is the greatest leader,” Jesus Christ
OVER a cup of coffee at the Century Park Thursday, we gave Visayas’ top publisher Dannny Fajardo of Panay Daily News a glimpse of post election Dagupan.
We just did the same thing for NPC prexy Benny Antiporda at the Broker’s Lounge at the Stock Exchange 2 hours earlier.
On both occasions, our friends were impressed how a lady knocked out a popular mayor. Most of Dagupan’s old families were for Mayor-elect Belen Fernandez, we intimated.
We added that the big guns in Dagupan politics led by former Speaker Joe de Venecia and re-elected Rep. Gina de Venecia, former Mayor Al Fernandez, the Reynas, the Duques, the Manaoises were for Belen.
And for good reasons.
We now add that there was convergence of events that led to the victory of the first elected woman mayor of the city.
At one point we quoted Desiderata’s “the universe is unfolding as it should” to cap our report.
It’s now Clean-Up Time, folks.
Dagupenos lately were shocked at the massive dirt the outgoing local administration has left behind.
The graphic details in the militant accounts of publisher- editor Ermin and fiery columnist Gonzalo have coughed up an epic “How the festive, magical look was unmasked.”
The ascent of Mayor-elect Belen has hit us like a bolt of lightning; but a sweet, pleasant one.
Picking up from the pieces, Dagupenos should now say goodbye to things unworthy like those nice trappings and trimmings that at the bend of the road were found to be emitting foul odor.
It’s said that the Belen-Benjie political and business rivalry has outclassed the provincial gubernatorial race in suspense and color. You all know that it was a ho-hum victory for re-elected Guv’nor Amado Espino.
We concur that Belen’s now undisputed leadership in the city was largely due to the traditional families who adhere to good ol’ practices.
They have found an ally in the More than Conquerors’ club — a Christian Brotherhood club — which was elated by its new member, describing her a fresh new hope for the city.
In years past, Mayor Lim made a good start, envisioning a new Dagupan free of “trapo” politics.
In no time, however, the vision crumbled under the weight of pride, ego and greed.
It’s now clear that the cases against the outgoing administration are documented, following a paper trail.
Certain quarters recall with a tinge of nostalgia the city’s having chalked up the internationally prestigious Guinness Record; the sad thing now though is that the prestigious record now sits beside fish kill and hundreds of illegal fish pens.
But we don’t despair. Hope springs eternal. From the feast of anomalies, Dagupan will rise again, clean as a whistle. We call this renaissance founded on the rule of law.
Surely, Belen’s first days will be painful, but exhilarating, they are her opportunity to make a difference in governance. Although mayora’s business acumen dwarfs those of many well known leaders, her humility and single-minded adherence rules of law easily wins the admiration and support of the intelligentsia.
Unlike in the days of Genghis Khan and Ferdinand Marcos, the simple things, the predictable, the proper and legal ways are now the best accepted practices of leadership.
The Philippine economy has won the accolade of big business worldwide because of our “naive” President and Daang Matuwid.
With Belen as our leader, we know that the key to unlocking the power that moves us to higher places is finally with us.
Let’s support her succeed.
* * * *
NOTES: Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the bereaved family of former principal Aida B. Estabillo, sister of Cathy, for her passing at age 70… Don’t miss to get a copy of Ms. Mita S. Duque’s book Embraced by Sun, which was just off the press… High school classmate Alex Sibuma succumbed to a massive stroke the other day, underscoring a frightening fact that the other side of life is death, let’s pray for him and all of us who could follow suit any time, lie a thief in the night.
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