By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

NOW that the question of whether Vice President Sara Duterte will be impeached or not has been resolved with the submission of the fourth impeachment complaint to the Senate, the table is now turned on the congressmen on how they voted.

First, it should be clarified that the 215 congressmen only signed the 4^th endorsement. Not the first, second and third complaints. The number increased with each new complaint until the 4^th version.

So it’d be interesting to know from Pangasinan’s four district representatives and two party list members why they voted for it. As gleaned from the litany of charges, perhaps it can be said that their decision to finally endorse the 4^th complaint was because it was devoid of perceived personal attacks on VP Sara. Is it?

Then, of course, there is the report of unverified bonanza that came with the signature – millions in pork barrel from AKAP, TUPAD and AICS budgets. Translation: They can disburse the funds with the help of DSWD and DOLE with the “unsolicited advice” not to forget check the names of Congressman x and party list on their ballots.

So, pray tell, Honorables Mark Cojuangco (2nd District), Rachel Arenas (3^rdDistrict), Christopher de Venecia (4^th District), Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District), which particular charge of the complaint prompted you to endorse the impeachment complaint, presuming that you were not merely influenced by the reported bonanza?

(Breaking NEWS 5:20pm Feb 7) : Rep. Arthur Celeste (1st District), Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. (5th District), Rep. Robert Raymund Estrella (ABONO Party-list) 21 and Rep. Ron Salo (Kabayan Party-list)) and 21 others belatedly signed the endorsement).

I hope we can read their reasons on their Facebook accounts.

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AKAP, THE NEW PORL BARREL. With the start of the campaign next week, let it be known that persons receiving minimum wages or less are automatically qualified to receive cash from the AKAP program!

I just wonder how one can prove that one is qualified. Will they be required to show proof of employment or proof of payment of the mayor’s permit as proof of small business operation? Since DSWD has not given these as requirements, here’s my translation: A letter of endorsement from the congressman or the party list should suffice!

But here’s one very important information that the qualified beneficiary should know: The cash assistance is not from the personal funds of the congressman or the party list. The cash is from them, as taxpayers – their money withheld from their salaries!

Hence, they have the right to demand thrice the amount DSWD is giving them. That’s their money, not the congressman’s, the party list, or DSWD.  

An AKAP beneficiary should not even thank DSWD.

But here’s the best part for the AKAP distributors (congressmen and party list): They can choose to keep half or two-thirds of the allocation due DSWD by providing a list of fake names of beneficiaries. Now, you understand why it’s also referred to as a “pork barrel”.

Will the congressmen and the party lists to whom AKAP allocations are given, be made accountable for the amounts distributed, like the confidential funds of VP Sara? Dream on!

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TWISTING FACTS.  Here’s one for Ripleys’ “Believe It or Not”

Last May 2024, my Toyota Hilux pick-up was rammed by a bus of First North Luzon Transit at the junction of TPLEX entry/exit in Urdaneta City. Totoya estimated that I have to spend P2M to restore my damaged parts.

As stated in the police report, I was already inside the marked yellow box on the highway, about to turn left on the highway when the speeding bus rammed me. But guess what, the bus company sued me for reckless imprudence resulting in damages to the bus, demanding that I pay P166k to cover costs of damage to the bus.

Fortunately, the Urdaneta City Prosecutor’s Office denied the claim of the bus company based on the dashcam footage submitted by the bus company itself, showing it was the bus that caused the accident.

One would think that story is over. Well, here comes a law firm hired by the bus company this time to seek the reversal of the decision before the regional prosecutor’s office in La Union.

This is not a bus company owned by Pangasinenses but by shrewd businessmen in Bulacan.

What am I going to do about it? I’ll give the bus company a legal battle they thought I’ll never have the gumption to file against a battery of lawyers on its side.

As Ping Lacson would often invoke: Ipaglaban ang tama, ang mali labanan!

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