Playing with Fire
Guingona, a ‘washbeen’
By Gonzalo Duque
WHAT a pathetic political figure former Vice President Tito Guingona is these days.
There was a time our favorite ex-governor Oscar Orbos almost descended into what has become of Tito Guingona. But OO was smarter than Tito; he got out of the mess before it went out of hand.
Pathetic because Tito Guingona looks it, old, frail, spent force, contradictory and hanging on to dear political life, and yet he continues to attack the dainty President who named him ambassador to China after the elections like he was a bakling.
Men who engage women in ugly quarrel are suspect, you see. As for me I don’t fight women, because I fight them the other way round – with tenderness and carinyo. But this Tito is ibang klase, wa klass. He abandoned PGMA when he smelled a rat, though literal rat there was none. He smelled his aging skin and a scent of a possible crack in the presidency if GMA fell.
Like a hungry and angry activist, Tito is again out front with his raised fist and flailing arm shouting “down with Gloria!”
Alas, what happened was GMA became stronger, sprang into the limelight and swooped down dramatically on his detractors.
Why can’t aging people the likes of Tito, former President Cory and another you-know- who just rest in the background and allow new and young leaders to run the show?
Tapos na sila, kung baga, wala na silang asim, wa epek na sa taong bayan. Tito, I have a brilliant unsolicited advice to you. Rest ka na. I was not born yesterday, you know.
And here comes another “problem child,” nay, problem boy, his name is Gringo. Aha, so lumabas na ang totoo.
You see, I’ve talked to a lot of people about this First Edsa hero, former Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan. Do you know that in the Mexican lexicon, Gringo means dirty cowboy, taong takbo ng takbo, taong walang tiyak na pupuntahan? Parang NPA (no permanent address?).
There’s another killjoy – a former crying woman when she was about to lose Social Welfare portfolio. She held the skirt of PGMA literally begging that she be spared from being relieved because then Vice President Noli de Castro was about to take over the social welfare position. The President treated her like her own sister and gave in to her importunings at the expense of Noli.
Dapat diyan kay Dinky itapon sa buwan, being a lunatic.
To be sure, PGMA is now a more circumspect, more careful and more discerning leader. The coup was a blessing in disguise to Gloria. Don’t forget this. It’s tough to know exactly who your allies are. To know them is a vital part of effective governance.
* * * *
All 450 private schools, colleges and universities in Region I met last week at the University of Luzon to thresh out particular problems and concerns, including the immediate ones such as the recent power grab attempt at Fort Bonifacio and other strategic places in Metro Manila last week.
It’s interesting to note that the academic community in the region hasn’t fallen prey to some of its radical counterparts in Manila that have nothing but brickbats and criticisms against the administration.
In fact, not unknown to the APSCU now ably led by UL prexy, Dr. Macky Samson, was the heroic role of the police and the armed forces of the Philippines in quelling the coup attempt, which, they say, bespeaks of the administration’s preparedness to deal with fearful situations such as the failed coup.
The association has singled out Generals Hermogenes Esperon of Asingan town and Art Lomibao of Mangaldan of the armed forces and the PNP respectively for their proactive leadership, preparedness and their military acumen.
Their dedication to duty, heroic and selfless spirit and their sacrifice have made them heroes in their own right. The country has become safer and prouder, at particularly, for Pangasinenses, their provincemates.
Congratulations!
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