By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

AGAIN! If you think the 7 epaLiFes have run out of abnormal precepts of how Dagupan should be governed, think again, because they have new views based on their position as the majority at the Dagupan sanggunian!

After suffering serious major setbacks in their efforts, like how their concocted barkada supreme rule – only the majority can make the rules, regardless of their relevance or purpose or motive, even if these contradict established rules and laws – their false bravado finally pushed them into a quagmire. This time, they think that the DILG regional office erred when it submitted opinions that backed the actions taken by the five minority-turned-majority and rejected theirs. They are confident that the DILG secretary will readily overturn the DILG regional office because it is they, the majority of seven- that’s raising the objections.

I don’t know where they learned the notion that superior officers can be expected to easily override their subordinates’ studied actions simply because they, as the majority, asked for it!

Unfortunately for them, they no longer control the majority since they cannot oust Councilor Michael Fernandez as majority floor leader. They refuse to acknowledge that they made a boo-boo in the past about their “internal rules” and to replace Councilor Michael, they need to file a resolution, a process that would presume that his election was legit.

Well, damn it they do, damn if they don’t. Something’s got to give but their minds have been thoroughly discombobulated that even their uniforms cannot help them decide how to get themselves out of the rut they found themselves in.

Meanwhile, the 7 epaLiFes continue to use their number to stop discussing and acting on pending items in the sanggunian’s weekly agenda.  I’m sure they feel that blocking the agenda still boosts their twisted self-importance.

For now, they have to be content in sabotaging the sanggunian’s pending administrative agenda that unfortunately can no longer do any more damage to the Belen administration. The 2025 annual and supplemental budgets have been approved and are already being implemented.  But that should give them more time to design another uniform to make themselves look respectable.

Meanwhile, my fellow ‘Punching Duo’ podcaster Gonz Duque gave me an update on the invitation extended to Councilor Celia Lim to be a resource person so she can have the chance to speak out on her team’s obstructionist performance and plans for the 2025 elections.

Gonz was reportedly told, she’s willing to appear as guest to be interviewed on one condition – that I don’t appear in that podcast!

I don’t see how that can help her cause. Without me there, she has no chance to call me names (minus cussing) in my face as she refutes my reports about the 7 epaLiFes. It could be the best chance for her to belie everything that I’ve written about her and her barkada.   

Anyway, I’d be more than happy to oblige her and not appear and not say anything during the podcast. Anyway, I’m sure Gonz would be dying to ask her – what is it about my reports of her barkada that are true!

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PLOT THICKENS IN URDANETA. Guv Mon-mon Guico III and VG Mark Lambino seriously misread and miscalculated the political savvy of Urdaneta Mayor Julio Parayno.

They must have thought that the mayor is a pushover and can be easily intimidated with their scheme to neutralize him so Mrs. Maan Guico could easily beat the mayor in his reelection bid. 

Now the shoe is on the other foot. The charges facing Guv Mon-mon are far more serious nothing like the charge he accused Mr. Parayno that caused his first suspension: a complaint by an earnest businessman wanting to do business in the city.  Gosh! It was not even a case of suspected corruption.

Mr. Guico will have to do a lot of explaining before the Ombudsman to refute the charges, from Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions, to Open Disobedience and Disobeying Request for Disqualification, all punishable under the Revised Penal Code. He’s also being charged of Grave Misconduct, Grave Abuse of Authority, Gross Neglect of Duty, Acts Unbecoming of Civil Service Employee, and Violation of Republic Act No. 6713 in violation of the Administrative and Civil Service Codes of the Philippines.

All these on top of the investigation being called on the unbudgeted special benefits delivered to the members of the provincial board and department heads. 

I think Mrs. Guico should begin familiarizing herself with the charges, too, including the legal defense of her husband. She’ll surely be asked by Urdanetans during the campaign to talk about her thoughts, and whether she has plans, too, of filing more charges against Mr. Parayno!

Aaah…the political plots in Urdaneta thickens!

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BOYS AND TEENAGE PREGNANCY. Something is seriously amiss in the current national discussion about proposed bills to contain the problem of rising  teenage pregnancy in the country.

There is very little that sex education in classrooms can help to offset teenage pregnancy because of two factors: 1) The proliferation of pornography in social media that students themselves find on their parents’ computers and laptops and 2) The boys and men who caused the pregnancy are not being made to account for their irresponsible actions.

Our lawmakers seem to miss the point that young girls alone do not make themselves pregnant. It takes a young boy, a manipulative adult male to make it happen. And, boys being braggart boys,  they always want to brag about their sexual adventures at an early age with girls.

So, until boys are confronted with a legal situation to make them realize the consequences of their irresponsible acts, boys will continue to impregnate as many girls as they can without worries about accountability.

And what are these possible accountabilities?

1. To make the boy’s family share in the expenses for the pregnant girl’s medical upkeep.
2. To be made to undergo a DSWD seminar on sexual responsibilities accompanied by his parents.
3. To be made to report to a DSWD office weekly on the status of the girl’s pregnancy.

Just a word spreading across campus about how one boy is being made to account for someone’s pregnancy should be enough to keep the rate of teenage pregnancy to almost zero.

Wanna bet?

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