Punchline
Goodbye Pangalatok! Hello Pangasinan!
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
I CANNOT but laud the Espino administration for launching the “I love Pangasinan Movement” two weeks ago.
While Guv Spines’ detractors shrug off the movement as an overnight sensation that will soon fade away, still the message that Pangasineses can and should love their province, corny as it may sound, still somehow touches a sentimental chord in many.
For too long, Pangasinenses had to live with the word “Pangalatok” that sounds anything but derisive. How could one proudly claim to be “Pangaltok” without feeling embarrassed by the sound of it? Kapampangan, Ilonggo, Bisaya, even Igorot, sound ethnic that point to proud tribal roots.
For too long, the word Pangasinan was constantly left out in directional maps of the Department of Tourism and PAG-ASA weather bulletins. Pangasinan was always and only associated as the “road leading to Baguio.”
Finally and fortunately, there was Guv Spines that taught us and our neighbors in the region that the time has come to rise as a proud people and community because we have a heritage that we can be proud of.
Personally, I cannot but begin to feel proud when Pangasinenses in various sectors make it a point to include Pangasinan to describe their association. The one of BISKEG-Pangasinan Artist Collective is a case in point.
Again to the credit of Guv Spines’ leadership, his administration reaped honors for various programs that made other provinces pause and applaud Pangasinan, not Pangalatok!
The new movement may not last, indeed, but sometime in the future, generations will recall that an “I love Pangasinan” movement was born to imbibe pride in the province.
Say goodbye to “Pangalatok,” Hello Pangasinan!
* * * *
THE NEW DR. MEJIA. The buzz that I hear and that refuses to die down is how Region 1 Medical Center chief’s Dr. Joseph Roland Mejia had transformed into a well-heeled somebody simply heading a government hospital.
From the grapevine, I also heard that Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Antonio Villar Jr. and Dagupan Mayor Belen Fernandez were pissed about the delay in the opening of the Drug Rehabilitation Center in the city, and I understand Dr. Mejia had something to do with it.
One explanation given was the failure of Dr. Mejia to account for the funds entrusted to him for the early completion of the center, particularly the construction of the dormitory for patients.
The dormitory was finally completed, no thanks to Dr. Mejia who reportedly still has not fully accounted for the P5-million intended for the construction of the dormitory.
Surely there must be an explanation but nothing appears to be forthcoming.
* * * *
HIS NEW LIFESTYLE. Here’s the rub.
The city lately is agog with speculations and gossips about Dr. Mejia’s new mansion in Barangay Tambac in the city. Suddenly, his new stature that came with unexplained affluence overnight came into sharper focus. How could his salary as medical director enable him to build an imposing mansion by the roadside, whose garage is reportedly filled with a new fleet of luxury vehicles that you and I can only dream of? Many continue to wonder.
Well, only he can tell.
* * * *
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Actually, there are two others that can tell and explain. The first is the Commission on Audit.
A quick lifestyle check should do the trick. In fact, many at the R1MC have long wondered why COA appears to have been curiously quiet about his newfound affluence. The medical personnel are beginning to wonder if the resident COA has been coopted. Hmmm.
It will be recalled Dr. Mejia was placed under a 90-day preventive investigation by the Department Of Health last year for alleged discrepancies found by their internal audit team on bidding and procurement procedures regarding some projects in the R1MC. Fortunately for him, Malacanang lifted the suspension. Did that situation have anything to do with his new lifestyle? Or was the intervention of Malacanang in his case discouraged COA to proceed further in investigating him?
Then, there’s also the Bureau of Internal Revenue headed by the straight-talking Kim Henares who can smell a tax evader a hundred miles away. Dr. Mejia’s income tax returns over the last 5 years can very well tell the real story how he can be so lucky to land so much money as medical director of a public hospital.
Perhaps the Ombudsman can also be made to get interested in finding out how successful his medical practice has been to be able to afford the best luxuries in life.
I am certain there is a logical explanation to all these. Nothing really mysterious there. But in fairness, while his situation set tongues wagging at the R1MC, isn’t it possible that Dr. Mejia deserved it all for doing the best he could to earn all that?
Why not, indeed? So pray tell, Dr. Mejia!
* * * *
HOLY WEEK? What has happened to our Christian faith?
I do recall that decades ago, observance of the Holy Week was a period of prayers, church visitation, abstinence, confession and penitence, and meditation.
I also recall in grade school being required to write a short essay about what I did during the Holy Week.
Today, I only hear of families and groups of friends talking about where to spend the holidays, meaning the Holy Week!
I can only surmise that Holy Week will eventually simply mean the Whole Week! Tsk-tsk. Not good!
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
