By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

AT the third edition of “Punching Duo” (myself and Punch columnist Gonz Duque) podcast with Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez as guest, we heard her sum up her accomplishments despite serious challenges from the opposition from 2022 to 2024, in what I believe is her best rallying point for her reelection.

She said she will offer Dagupeños a simple choice for 205-2028: More of Unliserbisyo or more of Unliperwisyo!

She has reasons to feel confident that more people already know how much about her administration’s accomplishments and services for her constituents despite the avalanche of obstructions leveled against her by the 7 epaLifes every week since she returned to her post in 2022. Gosh, only those who play deaf and dumb can claim otherwise about her administration.

Indeed, would you rather have more Unliserbisyo or Unliperwisyo?

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IRREVERSIBLE POLITICAL DAMAGE — EpaLiFe Councilors Red Erfe-Mejia, Celia Lim, Alfie Fernandez, Dada Reyna, Alvin Coquia, Irene Lim and Marilou Fernandez must be having sleepless nights these days on realizing that they had dug their political graves much too deep with hardly a chance to vindicate themselves.

 Their arrogance since 2022 made them forget to realize that the mere majority in representation alone does not make them invincible and unassailable. The internal set of rules they crafted in 2022 alone violated the Local Government Code. This was pointed to them but they have since made themselves believe that as the majority it can proceed with whatever it wants.

They became so confident that the minority of five would never have the capacity to stop them at any time. So they thought.

They made themselves believe that whatever manifestations they make are unassailable, forgetting that under the Local Government Code, nothing is legally instituted unless these are in numbered resolutions duly approved by the body. Mere manifestations or motions can only be likened to suggestions or recommendations, without a compelling action. 

In sum, the 7 epaLiFes made themselves as a barkada, they can do no wrong.  Well, today they a find themselves trapped in a quicksand beside their political graves with no possibility of getting out with their integrity and credibility intact.

But they can still continue to do what they do best as a barkada – design and wear more uniforms to make them distinguishable from the knowledgeable, respectable and credible. They can keep the city entertained by filibustering nonsense in their colorful uniforms.

There’s the group that can deliver and guarantee unliperwisyo!

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WE NEED A MARCOLETA IN THE SENATE — I’m glad that LNU students and faculty members had the chance to see and hear Cong. Rodente Marcoleta this early as commencement speaker for the graduate school.

I thought the country lost a chance to see a true public servant, an expert in Philippine and international laws when he withdrew his bid as a candidate for senator last elections.

I guess he knew he didn’t stand a chance against the likes of Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid and Robin Padilla in the senate race, and he was right. But mindsets have started to change when people realize that electing popular entertainment personalities to legislative posts serves no one but the elected celebrities.

Mr. Marcoleta did the right thing when he exposed the ignorance of the law of the chairmen of the House of Representatives’ QuadCom during the INC rally. It was the right time!

So let’s work for quality service and performance of the senate by making Mr. Marcoleta a distinguished member of that body. Enough of celebrities who  don’t understand why and when laws have to be passed.

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ANTI-POITICAL DYNASTY — I posted the suggestion below on my Facebook account on how we can beat members of Congress on how to implement the anti-political dynasty law. I’ll appreciate your comment on Facebook. 

“If Congress refuses to set implementing rules to stop political dynasties, let’s start it with this:

1. Don’t vote for party lists whose first nominees have the same family name as a congressman, congresswoman, senator. Obvious ba na kanila yan??

2. Don’t vote for a congressman, congresswoman who is related to a current congressman or senator.

Why start with congressmen?  Because once elected, tago na sila. Party lists are worse. Most don’t have clear constituents and, therefore, are not accountable to anyone but their families. But both are quick to claim 30% commission from DPWH projects, and do little work on legislating laws while flaunting their wealth among themselves.”

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GOOD NEWS FROM DBP –  State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) successfully raised P11 billion under its latest local bond issuance as part of efforts to diversify its funding sources in anticipation of increased lending activities this year. Malacañang should not hear of this lest it decides to take over the funds like it did to PhilHealth.

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Watch out for our Punching Duo (myself and PUNCH columnist Gonz Duque) podcast very Saturday 10.30 a.m. via Sunday Garcia online, etc. It is produced by Pebbles Duque .

Every Monday 6:30 a.m., I have the PUNCHLINE conversation with IFM Dagupan manager Mark Espinosa about the week’s Sunday PUNCH’s editorial and Punchline column items.

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