Think about it
Political convulsions
By Jun Velasco
“A shady business never produces a sunny life.” –E.C. McKENZIE
WE are all smarting from confusion on our sense of justice – or the absurdity of it – as we grapple with bruising realities we see every day.
We saw this graphic fact while university professor Pepe De Vera (the man behind “EARN” School in Dagupan in the 80’s) and us struck a short chat with a Q-Mart vegetable vendor over the weekend.
Here’s a brief narrative:
Vendor: “I make between P400 and P450 daily, selling this stuff (vegetables). I’d wake up at 4 a.m., fight for my market space, deal with “collecting” policemen, other marketing fees, etc., then go home at lunch to make sure the children have food, baon in school, then back.
And when we retire at night, we see on our TV sets these reports about our super rich government officials still robbing us by the millions without investing any sweat at all.
Where is justice? What kind of life is this?
De Vera, by the way, teaches economics and political science at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
A thesis he wrote is damning to the prevailing political system, made worse by the wholesale breakdown of public trust in constituted authorities.
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The province, now teetering on frightening reports it’s on the path of a cyclonic storm “within the year, was convulsed recently by a political tornado with the arrest of Urbiztondo Mayor Ernesto Balolong, Jr. on gun raps and “possible participation in the murder of former Vice Mayor Ramon Arcinue and his wife, Zorhayda, in Manila on March 17, 2012.
The other shocker was the about-face of 16-year old whistle blower who earlier accused Gov. Spines and Congressman Boying Celeste of involvement in the murder of former Mayor Ruperto Martinez.
“Justin,” the accuser, is saying his earlier declarations were “dictated“ by former Mayor Nani Braganza and others. We saw all these on our TV screens. What could have prompted the kid to squeal on his supposed protectors? He said he was being maltreated.
This is a cyclonic reversal of roles and warrants a skillful, speedy and more profound investigation. This is unprecedented and warrants a most skillful and judicious reinvestigation.
Since it involves a minor, with more reason that this case requires more than ordinary handling.
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Worldwide support for Yolanda’s victims has added that from Lyceum Northwestern University and its affiliates with almost P600,000 worth of relief items and cash.
Our fiery columnist Gonz says “if we mean to be God’s children, we give priority to the tragedy because it could happen to any of us anytime.”
He says, he, too, frowns on any form of partying and frivolous activities amidst thousands of our countrymen suffering from a recent most disastrous super typhoon. For this reason he has voted against holding the traditional Media night, inspired, he says, by what Gov. Espino did in canceling Capitol’s traditional Christmas Party and media night and instead appropriated P 4 million fund to Tacloban City; ditto with Dagupan City’s sending P500K donation to Tacloban. “Dagupan’s share could have been more if it were not bankrupt,” says Gonzalo.
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Pacebook’s December issue zeroes in on Filipino’s mindset on the Yule in these troublous times and election reforms initiated by the Comelec under Chair Sixto Brillantes; a special report on the dramatic rise of Comm. Grace Padaca, from media to politics to enlightened leadership and servanthood.
Grace, you know, came from Bombo Radyo in Isabela, before her political odyssey to the Isabela governorship that saw her battling the well-entrenched Dy political dynasty, and finally entry to the Comelec commissionership. It’s a great success story.
We’ve met with Comm. Grace a number of times and found her “ good governance” advocacy consistent.
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Dagupan’s barangay leadership seems already drawn up with former ABC President Lino Fernandez doing a dramatic comeback. Favorite candidate Julie Andrews, err, Ann Fernandez Perez, is a favorite for auditor, with Brian Kua, vice president; and Conrad Muyalde, secretary, Joseph Maramba among the directors.
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NOTES: Kudos to our niece, Christina Isabelle C. Del Rosario, 13, for winning the Miss Teen Elite Model 2013 under the auspices of Dagupenos Elite Society organized by Czar Cyd Sison.
A 7th grader at La Marea Academy, Christina is the daughter of Drs. Orly and Maribelle del Rosario. She has a brother, Paulo Miguel, 5. Proud grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Manolo Louie Cornel.
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