Punchline
Barangay kapitan’s dilemma
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
THE news about a barangay kapitan in Aguilar town being charged for violation of election rules, particularly for electioneering, is now like a Damocles sword hanging over heads of kapitans actively promoting favored candidates in their towns/cities.
While Atty. Romulo Macalintal insists kapitans are not covered by the rule on electioneering, the Local Government Code says otherwise. In fact, while this is not clearly stated in the Omnibus Election Law, Comelec stresses that it is clearly provided in the Local Government Code and will seek to enforce it.
Over the past decades, no kapitan was ever complained of, much less prosecuted for electioneering. But if there is one reason why a barangay official should be wary of these conflicting views of the law, it’s because if proven guilty, there is a jail sentence waiting him/her. This was underscored by Comelec.
Kaya, kwidaw kayo. All it takes is one campaign manager of an opposing camp to nudge one resident to file a case against the super-active kapitan campaigning for another, fully supported with pictures and affidavits as evidence and, of course, with some “representation expenses”. That could be the end of the kapitan’s rule in his/her barangay.
Better be safe than sorry, kapitan. (Note: There’s nothing illegal about family members of the barangay official actively campaigning for any candidate, so there’s your alternative).
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STOP HITMEN RIDING IN TANDEM. I find it ironic that our motorcycle riders are protesting the law requiring two license plates attached to their two-wheeled machines.
They, more than anyone else, should support it because they are the most vulnerable and dangerously exposed to hired hitmen on the road. Not a few, including motorcycle-riding policemen were shot and killed by hitmen riding in tandem. No suspect could be traced since not even the owner of the motorcycles could be determined without license plates in front where CCTV cameras can detect them.
It’s bad enough that hitmen wear helmets that don’t show their faces. So, there’s absolutely no chance for families of victims to get justice for the violent deaths of their fathers and brothers killed by motorcycle riding men who could not be traced.
The protesting riders say a metal plate attached to the front can cause them injury if it should break. But the only possibility for the attached plate to fall out is if the rider is running against a strong wind shear, speeding at more than 100 mph, I find that utterly ridiculous. The only way a metal can hit one in the face is when the plate is not properly installed. And how many 100cc motorcycles can run in 100mph in city streets? And only 300cc motorcycles and above can enter the expressways to be able to run in that speed.
Sen. Richard Gordon is right. The twin plates for motorcycles may not completely deter commission of crimes but it surely will limit opportunities for criminals to make a kill and get away with it.
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HELMET ORDINANCE. If there is one thing that towns and cities in Pangasinan should consider to make their communities safe, it should consider passing an ordinance that will require motorcycle riders to wear helmets that show their faces and to ban helmets that completely cover their faces.
Note: Such a law exists in the USA to deter criminals from using motorcycles for criminal activities. Note: Helmet is required by law in the US whether riding simply around a neighborhood or not. Only professional motorcycles and car racers are exempted from the law and only when on the racetracks.
Out here, in the event a rider only uses crash helmets that fully cover their faces, the ordinance should empower barangay officials, police, traffic enforcers to flag down the rider and ask that his/her helmet be removed for identification purposes. Over time, all riders will change their helmets to open-face models because they are tired of being stopped to show their faces.
Again, this is for the safety and welfare of the peaceful-loving riders themselves.
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INSULTING POLICE, COMELEC. To say that our news this week on the systematic vote-buying in Dagupan City is worrisome, would be an understatement.
Comelec and the police should not take this lightly because it is an insult to their integrity and authority. That the operators of the blatant vote-buying scheme can do it with impunity, is enough for Comelec and the police to realize that they are being considered inutile, corrupt and spineless.
There is enough evidence to identify the culprits starting from the owner of the “redemption centers”. From there, they should be able to trace who’s holding the database of the hacked voter’s information stolen from Comelec.
I pray that our Comelec and police chief would have enough courage to pin down these operators as an example to other cities and provinces where the same modus is being employed.
Hopefully, the prosecution of vote-buyers here will send chills up the spines of politicos who think that the only way to win an election is to corrupt the whole community.
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OTSO DIRETSO’S DESPERATION. It looks like the livelihood of our fishermen in the west is at risk again.
The determination of Otso Diretso to sail through West Philippine Sea for the sole purpose of taunting the Chinese navy and Coast Guard will surely have very serious repercussions.
It’s a different matter altogether if the LP politicos’ mission is to lead a fully armed contingent of soldiers to remove the Chinese military and takeover the military facility constructed on Scarborough, then perhaps the country would even rekindle a strong feeling of patriotism albeit momentarily to know that is a suicide mission.
To taunt the Chinese military today and tomorrow is obviously a desperate stunt to earn votes for their senate bid without the least consideration for our fishermen who can lose their livelihood again for a long time.
Their latest palusot this week is – they are not “yellow”! Wow! That is the height of hypocrisy and dishonesty for a bunch seeking one of the highest political posts in the country.
They will do and say anything to win votes! Like mercenaries, they will kill anyone for the money! Grabe!
Let us send a clear message to them: “For even thinking that you can risk the livelihood of our fishermen for your selfish political agenda, you will not have our votes, not today, not tomorrow!”
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REMEMBERING JESUS’ TEACHINGS. I pray that the Holy Week that passed provided the time for our bishops, priests and nuns to reflect on their political agenda that don’t serve the glory and teachings of Jesus Christ…that more families stayed together in prayer to remember Jesus’ and Mary’s suffering…to remember that God in His infinite goodness, allowed His only begotten Son to die for us and save us from eternal damnation. Happy Easter to all!!
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