Playing with Fire
‘No compromise with criminals!’—Duterte
By Gonzalo Duque
RELUCTANT presidential wannabe Rody Duterte wowed his Pangasinan audience composed mostly of students, university professors and civic leaders last Wednesday.
Venue, of course, was our LNU, ahem!
Pag nag-presidente si Rody, mga abay, alam nyo na ang lalapitan nyo ha ha!
But no, our all-out endorsement of Rody is not for anything else, but our sincere response to the overwhelming problems engulfing the country.
Rody’s date with us was made meaningful by the presence of old friends including General Hermogenes “Jun” Esperon, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption Chairman Dante Jimenez, former Cotabato Gov. Manuel Pinol, and many others.
Dante Jimenez told us his VACC is not allowed to make political endorsement, but individually, yes…”I am for Duterte,” he said.
Jimenez was nodding his head when in the course of his speech; Duterte said “there should be no compromise with criminals.”
This goes true, too, with former Mayor Al Fernandez, who says Rody has the quality of a leader the country needs these days.
Rody and his party were visibly impressed with the applause and warm reception he got.
Although he came to dissect the idea of Federalism, he couldn’t help going to the heart of need of the moment, which is the clamor for a leader the nation needs.
He said he was trying to distance himself from the presidency, but people don’t seem to believe him, that he is not seeking the presidency.
Later at the inter-city Rotary meeting, when we felt the clamor for him to go for it was overwhelming, we instinctively got his hand and raise his hand—as if it was a proclamation. (The nice thing is Duterte allowed us to our raising of his hand).
Thunderous applause! Cameras clicked. Were we the anointed one to do the proclaiming act?
Be that as it may, we were filled with gratitude to everyone who came and helped us do the honors of giving him the warmest welcome in our city and province.
Masaya ang mga nag-welcome kay Rody Duterte.
Sana magkaroon ng pagbabago ang ating bansa with Duterte as our leader.
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Btw, our LNU has become a “proclamation venue” of sorts.
Remember the time when Belen Fernandez was seeking the mayorship? It was also at LNU that we did it, raise her hand, and look at what we have done!
Sana ganun din kay Rody Duterte!
* * * *
Dr. Perla Elinzano-Legazpi of UP Diliman and LNU made a brief reaction on Federalism to Duterte’s speech at the LNU symposium. Her treatise is that while it is true that federalism is an idea whose time has come for the Philippines, adopting it as governmental system should be approached with care, citing the fact many parts of the country are still undeveloped.
Precisely. Federalism will narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.
* * * *
We were elated to see leaders of varied sectors in the Rotary audience including Dasol Mayor Noel Nacar, president of the province’s mayors’ league; Mayor Bing Arcinue of Sual, Councilor Maybelyn Fernandez, president of the councilors league of the Philippines; Councilors Alfie Fernandez, Marvin Favia and Jose Netu Tamayo; Board Member Jaming Libunao (former QC District governor and his wife, former San Fabian Mayor Irene Libunao (also a former Rotary president), Rotary and media stalwarts and others.
* * * *
Back in our backyard—particularly our streets—we’ve been experiencing annoying noise pollution every night.
Drag racing, which is illegal, is rampant. Maraming residente ang galit.
Is the LTO sleeping on its job?
To complement that anti-drug racing job, we urge the Sangguniang Panlungsod to craft an ordinance to curb noise pollution.
This problem may be worse than the helmet problem—because noise pollution, according to a respected ear specialist, could cause deafness, tinnitus and other ear ailments. Help!
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