Erico vs. Judith, oh, c’mon!

Cong. Edgar Chatto and Cong. Ondoy Cajes are at the receiving end of the “betrayal of the century” political episode.
They are bashed and whacked mercilessly for days, weeks on end on air and on print.
It seems nobody is buying the yarn that their hands are clean.
Many people believe that they were “traitors” and they stabbed the governor on his back.
* * *
The picture that was printed in last Sunday’s papers speaks volumes about the treacherous plot that was unfolding then.
In the picture, they held hands with smiles plastered on their faces.
There was no cloud of doubt, yes, no doubt at all, that everybody was united for a common cause.
But there was a sinister plot somewhere.
Yes, lurking in somebody else’s minds was a dirty plan to destroy and terminate with extreme prejudice the governor.
And the evident premeditation was very clear.
First, there was the so-called “unity mass.”
Again, they held hands.
Then, there was that “mass filing” of COCs at the Comelec, sans Cong. Ondoy.
Then, there was that “unity picture” where they raised their hands in unison, again, with those sweet, sweet smiles on their faces.
And finally, there was that “unity dinner” at the Bohol Tropics after the mass filing at the Comelec.
They shared food and everybody was happy for the common victory of the party.
Nobody had an inkling that there was something amiss then.
Nobody noticed then that Cong. Ondoy Cajes did not file his COC for vice governor.
Clearly, the governor had been lulled into believing that everything was in order.
Nasud sa bulsa, as they say.
* * *
While they were praying before God and man at the St. Joseph Cathedral that fateful afternoon of December 1, the plotters were already thinking of implementing these things:
1. Cong. Ondoy would not file his COC for vice governor, instead he would file his COC for mayor of Trinidad.
2. Mayor Judith Cajes would file her COC as congressman of the 2nd district.
3. They would continue to exert the pressure on Conching Lim to file her COC as vice governatorial candidate.
4. If Conching Lim files her COC, that would give them the excuse to validly launch the candidacy of Judith Cajes on the pretext that the governor has allowed Conching Lim to run against Cong. Ondoy. Believe it or not, Conching Lim was nothing but a pawn.
5. At the same time, there was already the bomb about to be exploded – revocation of the gov’s CONA.
And all the time they were entertaining all these plots and sub-plots to crucify the Gov, they were holding hands, sharing smiles, sharing food and drinks.
* * *
Minus the “unity mass,” “unity dinner” and “unity picture,” many were inclined to believe that Cong. Chatto and Cong. Cajes were not in any way involved.
But when that picture came out, and when news came out that Cong. Ondoy did not file his COC as vice governor and Judith Cajes filed her COC as 2nd district congressman, the tide of public opinion shifted.
Many are now in the belief that somehow, Cong. Edgar and Cong. Ondoy had a hand in the crucifixion of the gov on December 1.
* * *
The entry of Cong. Adam Relson Jala and Conching Lim in the picture was completely a surprise.
As for Cong. Jala, nobody thought he was gunning for vice governatorial position. Many were thinking he would silently “retire” because after all, he was just there to warm the seat for his father and beat the 3-term limit.
When he arrived at the Comelec office few minutes before deadline and filed posthaste his COC for vice governor, many smelled rotten fish.
More so that he admitted during ambush interviews that he was not really prepared to file. He was just persuaded to file.
As for Conching Lim, long before the deadline for filing of COC, her name came out as a governatorial bet but not on the side of Cong. Chatto.
She was more identified on the side of Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera.
In fact, many times, her name was floated as Vice Gov’s running mate.
Many were surprised when Adam Jala withdrew and Conching Lim filed her COC in substitution.
Conching Lim is now allied with the “plotters” against the Gov. Is she abandoning her pact with the Gov?
* * *
The Gov was accused of riding two horses – Lakas-Kampi-CMD and Nacionalista.
On the basis of the so-called “intelligence network” plus consultation with Cong. Chatto and Cong. Ondoy Cajes, the Gov was stripped of his CONA.
Cong. Chatto and Cong. Cajes, plus Rene Relampagos must have shared a victory laugh then.
The Gov filed an appeal before the national directorate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, seeking justice and invoking his right to due process.
An arbitration committee chaired by former Cong. Prospero Pichay handled the controversy.
After a thorough deliberation, the arbitration committee decided on December 4 to reinstate the CONA of the governor and revoked the CONA of Judith Cajes.
As of now, the Gov is the only candidate for congressman in the 2nd district under Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.
As of now, Judith Cajes is an independent candidate for congressman in the 2nd district.
* * *
Just to clarify the point, Cong. Pichay came up with the following statement:
“After a careful deliberation and consideration of the facts, circumstances and party rules, we found merit in the request for reconsideration of Gov. Aumentado and so hold and sustain that the validity and effectivity of his CONA with Serial No. 22565 was uninterrupted from the time of its issuance up to the present, and we recommended the revocation of the CONA of Mayor Cajes with Serial No. 22522 retroactive to the time it was issued.”
This means that there was no break in the Gov’s being an official candidate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD. Short and simple story, there was no time at all that he became an independent.
On the other hand, there was no time at all that Judith Cajes became an official candidate of Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
She was an independent candidate since the time she filed her COC on December 1.
* * *
The betting now is with the revocation, will Judith Cajes continue with her congressional plans?
There are some who believe that she will withdraw.
But many are in the belief that she would not. The camp of Cong. Ondoy Cajes had been planning this scenario long before the filing of COC.
After all, if the Jalas could do it in the 3rd district, there is no reason why the Cajeses could not do it likewise in the 2nd district.
But my ears are hearing very strongly that she would not withdraw and she would continue with her political plans. They are already committed.
As I see it, the battle lines are drawn. It’s now kill or be killed.
* * *
Many are in disbelief.
How on earth could Judith Cajes fill into the shoes of the governor insofar as looking for project is concerned?
Even when her husband Cong. Ondoy was about to replace the gov, he expressed reservations as to his competence.
That was Cong. Ondoy then.
Now that Judith Cajes is about to mount the podium and shout her intention to battle it out with the Gov, I could hardly wait to listen how she intends to portray her role in the district.
More when we return, stay tuned for more.

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Headache for Governor Aumentado


Governor Erico Aumentado has been repeatedly asked who his anointed one will be for the governatorial position – Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera or Cong. Edgar Chatto?
And his answer remains the same.
He will pick no one, he will let the higher authorities do it for him.
His reasoning is simple – his ongoing projects may be imperiled. If he will pick one, the other will work against his projects.
Not to mention the possibility of jumping to other political parties.
To avoid that – and keep them intact – better to be “neutral.”
* * *
By elevating the task to higher authorities, the governor is now purged of the tough job of explaining his choice.
By playing Pontius Pilate, the governor can also avoid potential backlash in the local level.
Whoever the choice will be, or whatever action is taken by top officials of the admin party, the governor can face both Julius and Edgar with a straight face.
* * *
The premise rests on the presumption that the higher ups will play ball. And they will save the day for the gov.
But supposing, the higher authorities will refuse. And there are reasons aplenty like - they will leave local parties to solve local problems or it will set a dangerous precedent.
When that happens, the ball is back in the gov’s courtyard.
Best recourse is to declare a free zone.
* * *
When I called up Vice Governor Herrera and asked him about the possibility of free zone in Bohol, he was non-committal.
He was also non-committal when asked if he was willing to submit to a convention.
* * *
What happens when a free zone is declared?
For sure, there will be a realignment of mayors, vice mayors and even barangay captains.
And Julius and Edgar will be given the chance to test the loyalty of their supporters.
But the bigger question in case of a free zone is – who will remain with the admin party and who will bolt to other parties?
* * *
The admin party convention is slated on November 20.
One governatoriable told Longcuts yesterday that’s too far.
He may not be able to wait that long because he’s already talking of “other plans” even before November 20.
Bears watching what this governatoriable will do in the meantime.
* * *
City Mayor Dan Neri Lim said his group in the city will be filing their COCs under the baton of the NPC.
He said while other politicians are deserting the NPC, “we will stick it out with NPC.”
Apart from the city mayor, also joining the NPC fold are Vice Mayor Nuevas Montes and re-electionist-members of the majority bloc.
The City Mayor also said he has been designated NPC party chair in the province.
Town mayors who want to take shelter under NPC in the hope of lining their pants with cash, no chance for that, the city mayor said.
* * *
The President and members of her cabinet will troop to Loboc for their cabinet meeting on Tuesday, November 10.
The host will be Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who will also celebrate his 44th birthday on that day.
Secretary Yap is also slated to formally raise his right arm in allegiance to the admin party.
* * *
So on Tuesday, there will be 3 big events in Loboc.
The cabinet meeting. The birthday bash of Secretary Arthur Yap. And the formal induction of Yap to the admin party inside the Loboc Gym.
There are a lot of speculations about this event but this is my reading of the situation.
One, it is foregone conclusion that Arthur Yap will be the anointed admin candidate for the 3rd district congressional seat.
Two, there is no more question that former 3rd district solon Boy Jala will have to yield the choice seat to Arthur Yap.
Three, with Arthur Yap safely ensconced for the congressional race under the admin party, Boy Jala will have to reconsider his plans. And he has to ponder on these questions – will he still pursue his congressional plans; will he still stick with the admin party; and if he bolts, which party will he turn to?
And four, there is no more question as to the full support that will be extended by the administration to Arthur Yap.
* * *
The dilemma facing the governor in the choice for vice governatorial bet under the admin party is evident.
There are 3 contenders – outgoing solon Ondoy Cajes, provincial administrator Tommy Abapo and Conching Lim of the infamous Medicare claims cases of Valencia town.
They are all close allies of the governor.
Cajes is the gov’s heir in the district. Abapo is the “little governor” when the gov is out of the province. With Abapo, the gov could rest easy that the affairs of the province are in good hands. In fact, this could be one of the reasons why the guv is very productive in scouring for government projects. And what better way to reward Abapo than to anoint him.
As for Conching, well, there’s a tie that binds between the kumpare and the kumare. This “tie” has withstood the test of time and their relationship has mellowed with the passage of time. They are so close that it is difficult to imagine the refusal of the governor to Conching’s political plans. Many are in the belief that the governor will have to agree to Conching’s whims and caprices, no ifs, no buts.
My analysis of the situation however says that it’s a toss-up between Tommy and Conching only.
Given the “healthy discussion” between the governor and Ondoy Cajes over Cajes’ parallel organization in the 2nd district, I am willing to bet that Ondoy has already forfeited his chance at getting the nod of the governor.
If Conching gets the green light for the vice governatorial position, Tommy Abapo may have to work it out somewhere, with or without the help of the governor.
* * *
Naturally, that doesn’t mean that Conching Lim will have an easy ride down the stretch.
I suppose Ondoy Cajes can easily find a way to continue with his vice governatorial plans in other parties, NP or LP for instance.
When he does, there will be no shortage of issues. And I suppose, the political battle will be very exciting.
* * *
The battle for gender sensitivity is on. Gender bias is out. Both the provincial and city sanggunian have enacted legislative measures to promote gender sensitivity.
Along this line, tertiary schools in the city are encouraged to stop the baring of the flesh during beauty pageants.
No more swimsuits, no more skimpy bikinis from now on.
This is intended to stop the practice of converting beauty contests “which tend to commodify, abuse, humiliate and treat other persons, especially women, children and homosexuals as sex objects..”
More when we return, stay tuned for more.

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The Gov’s resignation

The Office of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) is supposed to be a fat cow. In government lingo, it is a source of huge funds. With the billions and extensive resources at his disposal, the head of the agency is supposed to be one lucky guy.
But I doubt if Defense Secretary and NDCC chair Gilbert Teodoro feels lucky as he faces the victims of typhoon Ondoy. And yes, Pepeng too.
Just as the floodwater is neck high, Teodoro’s heap of blame also goes neck high.
For a presidentiable, I doubt if this situation is a boost to his candidacy.
* * *
If he got zero in performance for Ondoy, watch his ratings dip further when super typhoon Pepeng lashes additional destruction and mayhem.
If he expects votes next year from the typhoon victims, then I say he must be crazy.
* * *
Urban planner and world-renowned architech Felino Palafox said the recent disaster was not an act of God but a sin of omission of the government and private real estate developers.
Ouch for Teodoro.
Another ouch for Manny Villar.
Palafox said in 1977, the World Bank sponsored an urban guide for Metro Manila entitled Metro Manila Transport, Land Use and Development Planning Project.
The study, Palafox said, had already noted the possibility of heavy flooding in at least 3 sites of urban growth in the Philippine capital—the Marikina Valley and its northern and southern parts.
But government did nothing.
The heavy flooding in the areas identified in the study did not surprise Palafox anymore.
* * *
Gilbert Teodoro will have to inherit this sin.
Not only because he vows to continue with the policies of the present leadership, Teodoro also happens to head the NDCC which is primarily concerned with disaster preparedness.
The NDCC, simply said, is not prepared to deal with disasters.
Teodoro will have to answer for that.
* * *
There is no more question anymore about the power struggle for the Lakas chairmanship in Bohol.
Governor Erico Aumentado said last Friday for as long as nobody is appointed as chair of Lakas-Bohol, then he continues to wield the Lakas baton for Bohol. He is both the provincial and regional chair of Lakas-CMD-Kampi.
His way of saying “don’t count me out yet.” This also indicates an intention to stay on as provincial chair of Lakas-Bohol. Demalas ang maligsan, he, he, he..
Congressman Edgar Chatto says on the issue of chairmanship, he abides by the Lakas’ rules. He agrees that the issue of chairmanship of Lakas is vital because the one appointed as chairman will also be the party bet for governor. Is there such a rule in Lakas? The good congressman is not saying.
Former Congressman Boy Jala said it is common knowledge that the chairman of the party is also the candidate for governor. Since the governor is no longer running for governorship, then it is only proper that there should be a revamp of Lakas chairmanship.
Ha, ha, ha, I don’t think the Gov agrees with Boy Jala.
Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera said if there is a revamp of the chairmanship of Lakas, then it is only proper that the vice chair of the party will succeed. Since he is the second highest ranking official of the province, then he deserves the chairmanship.
* * *
It is understandable that the chairmanship of the party is a hot issue.
Party funds go to the chair, that’s one. He gets to divide and distribute the funds in his possession. So much power that way.
Second, the party chair gets to endorse the official bets. Another power factor.
And third, the party chair takes charge of party activities. He takes control of the schedule of party campaign.
And of course, the chair hosts the top bets of the party. He is seen with the bigwigs. Leaves nice impression to the voters too.
And finally, he also sets the tone of the local party. Any interview, any press release, the chair gives his okay.
As such, it is not surprising why the issue of chairmanship of Lakas-Bohol will generate the most heat.
* * *
The Gov also confirmed our story that the front runners for the governoratorial position – Cong. Chatto and Vice Gov. Herrera – are steadfast in their political plans.
It’s like – it’s the governor or nothing – for each one.
So what happens?
It’s possible that a toss-coin will break the impasse.
I have it in good authority that Herrera is amenable to a toss-coin. No word from Chatto if he agrees to a toss-coin.
Prospero Pichay has another proposal to break the impasse.
If Chatto is anointed, Herrera will run as congressman of the district.
If Herrera is anointed, Chatto’s wife Pureza will run for the position.
No word from both Herrera and Chatto if they are amenable to the proposal.
* * *
Late Thursday night, I got a call from Governor Aumentado.
He reminded me about the Gov’s Report the following day. He said he would be making an important announcement. I asked if we could still propound questions and he answered in the affirmative.
He told me to be present because he has a very important announcement to make.
When I asked and later insisted when he refused to tell me about it, the Guv told me it has something to do with his resignation as governor.
Goodness, what could have happened during his meeting with the President and Cong. Chatto that he was now talking of resignation, this was the question in my mind.
Saturday morning came and I was there in the People’s Mansion for that “very important announcement” of the Guv.
True enough, the Guv spoke about the topic of resignation as governor.
He said he would no longer resign, as he promised months back, because the President has committed to help jumpstart the Panglao Airport Project before his term ends.
He did not exactly say when – meaning which month – but he said the project will be bidded soon and after that, construction will finally start.
He also said MIAA boss Al Cusi is now accepting bets that the airport project in Panglao will really push through.
And the Guv went blah, blah, blah, blah in his Guv’s Report.
* * *
When asked when the airport project will really start, he answered that it would soon be bidded out and construction works would start after.
No date, no month, take note.
Unlike before, he said bidding would be done by September, a month after that and the construction works would start. Meaning, by October this year, works would already commence.
As we have already known, works have not been started yet on the airport project.
Now, there are only 2 months plus left before the year ends. By February next year, the campaign period starts and there will be a ban on government projects.
If the airport project now has the green light, as repeatedly promised by the Guv, then works should start this year or early next year.
Otherwise, its bye-bye Panglao Airport Project.
* * *
Is there a need for the Guv to resign?
Well, whether he likes it or not, his term ends on June 30, 2010.
By November 30 this year, the Guv will have to file his COC for a congressional seat in the 2nd district.
When he starts campaigning for the congressional seat, we shall have known by then if the airport project was a go.
Otherwise, there will be a heavy price to pay.
* * *
At least 11,000 people were “treated” by renowned priest Fr. Fernando Suarez last week at the K of C Lourdes Church.
For three days starting Tuesday, September 29, Fr. Suarez celebrated healing mass and administered a “healing session” thereafter.
It’s difficult to describe how things have happened but there was a common experience among those who attended.
A young Leukemia patient who was carried inside the church, together with his oxygen tank got “healed” and walked on his legs out of the church after tearfully embracing and thanking Fr. Suarez.
Several wheelchair-bound people, men or women, young and old, suddenly found the strength to walk on their own legs.
Back pains, chest pains, shoulder pains, leg pains and other body pains gone. There were some who were immobile for some time have become very mobile when Fr. Suarez prayed for them.
It’s a miracle, some were saying.
But Fr. Suarez said it was God who healed, he was only the instrument. And he admitted that his “talent” is for others because he could not heal himself.
That’s why he has with him some Advil for his headaches.
* * *
During “healing” time, it was not all serious stuff.
I saw him banging heads, heads of nuns included, I saw him slapping faces, slapping ears, pinching the nose or face, pressing the different parts of the body, pushing or pulling those who have been immobile for several years, striking the ears using his curled fingers and many other funny stuffs.
The “victims” didn’t seem to mind. It was probably his way of easing up on things so he could carry on the task for a long period of time.
Unlike Fr. Corsie before, Fr. Suarez was more “down to earth,” he was simple, very friendly and he was more “powerful.”
He likes to play Tennis and according to his opponent, he was a strong and powerful player.
He might be back because he said he likes the place and the hospitality as well.
Per agreement with Bishop Leonardo Medroso, half of the proceeds of the kolekta (3 masses in all) went to the Foundation headed by Fr. Suarez.
There in Monte Maria in Batangas stands the highest statue of Mama Mary, courtesy of Fr. Suarez.
There was also brisk sale of rosariohan and other religious stuff featuring Mama Mary. There were also CDs and other reading materials featuring Fr. Suarez. That took care of the monetary side, I suppose.
More when we return, stay tuned for more.

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The Guv and the Congressman


There is a widely-accepted belief that the “one for all, all for one” principle is the omerta of the 3 Bohol solons – Ed Chatto, Ondoy Cajes and Boy Jala.
Cajes is Chatto’s runningmate in the governatorial race while Jala returns to the 3rd district.
The 2nd district is left vacant so that the Guv can return to the district after his 3rd term as governor ends.
The 1st district is still a toss up.
* * *
On the other side of the political fence is the group of Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera.
Herrera is also contesting the seat desired by Chatto.
Herrera has provincial administrator Tomas Abapo Jr. as his runningmate.
Conching Lim is also contesting the seat desired by Abapo.
She wants to be Herrera’s runningmate. She believes she can wallop better than Abapo.
Of course, she believes she has a better chance at the vice governatorial position under Herrera than under Chatto. She must have felt that Chatto would prefer Cajes over her.
One way of saying she is more comfortable with Herrera than with Chatto.
But I seriously doubt if Herrera is comfortable with Conching.
He, he, he, she must be an adorable person, quote unquote.
* * *
Agriculture Secretary Art Yap, who is also interested to take the 3rd congressional seat, must have read the body language of Edgar, Ondoy and Boy Jala.
He must have heard of the “one for all, all for one” and concluded right away that he has no chance under Edgar because Edgar would always pick Boy Jala for the district.
This must be the reason why Art Yap is aligned with Julius Herrera.
* * *
At this point in time, nobody knows who will be the anointed governatorial bet – Edgar Chatto or Julius Herrera.
Both are banking on the favorable nod of Governor Erico Aumentado.
One time, the Guv announced in Calape, while asking for their support, that Herrera would be the next governor.
He wisely omitted the date but this was taken to mean after his term ends.
Another time, the Governor has also been heard telling people that Edgar Chatto was his heir apparent. The meaning is very clear – after him, Edgar will inherit his position.
This means neither Edgar nor Julius can claim exclusive right over the Guv’s endorsement. Both knew that.
They are in agreement that the Guv’s nod is crucial in getting the official anointment.
And both also knew that there is good possibility that the Guv with anoint neither of them.
* * *
What happens if Edgar Chatto gets the anointment?
Most likely, he will get Ondoy Cajes as his runningmate, Boy Jala as his bet in the 3rd district and the Guv in the 2nd district.
Herrera will be left holding an empty bag. So most likely, he will go to the Nacionalista Party. He can also go to Liberal Party under Noynoy Aquino.
It is not certain if the Guv will insist in Conching Lim as Edgar Chatto’s runningmate. But the possibility exists because this could be his quid pro quo to Edgar. Of course, Edgar Chatto may insist in having Ondoy Cajes.
With Cajes, he does not have to look after his 6, if you get my drift.
* * *
If Herrera gets the anointment, most likely he will get Abapo, not Conching Lim, as his runningmate.
For practical purposes, Abapo can easily fit into Herrera’s game plan for the province. This cannot be said of Conching Lim. Julius knows that she always has a different game plan.
Herrera will most likely get Arthur Yap for the 3rd district. It is not certain yet who Herrera will get for the 1st and 2nd districts.
* * *
There is a little twist here for Art Yap.
Accordingly, he’s got assurance that he would get the anointment in the 3rd district.
If Chatto gets it, Yap will also get the 3rd district slot.
Will Yap abandon Herrera just like that? And will Yap worm into the confidence of Chatto and Cajes at a flick of a finger?
Difficult to say because Art Yap and Julius Herrera may have common political leaders and supporters in the 3rd district.
Or, will Yap stay it out with Herrera even if he has to forego with his anointment with Lakas-CMD?
Art Yap may have to do a balancing act here.
* * *
What happens if nobody will be anointed as official candidate?
Then can run as an independent. Not good because they cannot be assured of getting the party funding.
They can go to other parties, of course, and there will be a race to get the endorsement and support of LP under Noynoy, or NP under Villar or even NPC under Chiz Escudero.
* * *
Meanwhile, the meeting between Governor Erico Aumentado and other Bohol top officials last Friday in Manila was supposed to iron out potential differences among partymates in the province.
It turned out to be, well, “bloody.”
A reliable source told me yesterday the Guv had a “not-so-friendly” spat with a congressman because the latter is forming parallel groups in his district that could “break” the unity of Lakas.
The congressman must have felt that he was already “powerful enough” to challenge the Guv.
Of course, apart from the open secret that the congressman is now filthy rich with several millions in investments in his district, it was also plain during the meeting that the Guv was facing the might of the “one for all, all for one” group of the 3 Bohol congressmen.
“Mora’g klaro na man kaayo nga ready na ang tulo ka congressmen nga maghimo sila ug kaugalingong buho. Mora’g ready na man sila mo-challenge ni Aumentado,” another source told me.
The Guv is now on a balancing act in dealing with the combined force of the 3 congressmen, the source added.
* * *
When I asked the first source about his reflections of the meeting, he said “Nag-usik-usik lang to sa panahon. Klaro man kaayo nga di na mapugngan ang desisyon sa grupo sa 3 ka congressmen. Luoy paminawon si Guv nga mga sakop man unta ni niya,” he said.
And his bombshell.
“Gusto pa man gani nila ilogan si Guv sa iyang chairmanship sa provincial Lakas,” he stressed.
The Guv serves in a concurrent capacity as provincial and regional chair of Lakas-CMD-KAMPI.
* * *
And the reaction of the Guv, I asked.
The Guv simply said kuno, “Wa pa gani mo kalingkod, mangilog na man mo ug pwesto.”
* * *
Now, now, does this tiff have anything to do with the supposed open endorsement of the Guv to the congressional plans of Catigbian Mayor Bert Salinas for the 1st district?
Does this have anything to do with the supposed dual promises of support of the Guv to Chatto and also to Herrera?
Or, does this have anything to do with the supposed promises of the Guv that were reneged?
Or simply, does this mean they could no longer find comfort on what the Guv says and what he does?
* * *
Also last Friday, somebody told me that someone from the camp of Cong. Edgar Chatto went to the camp of Noynoy Aquino in order to do some “negotiations.”
Accordingly, Cong. Chatto has expressed interest to join Noynoy Aquino’s Liberal Party in the even he wouldn’t get the official anointment of Lakas.
When I asked Cong. Chatto about this, he texted back, “Not true, we have not talked to any group about party affiliations other than the party where we belong.”
But the source insisted the reliability of the information because he even leaked the supposed date when Chatto is supposed to talk to local party leaders.
And he provided the name of the person who was approached and the name of the person who approached.
Interesting, right?
* * *
When I asked the good congressman about what transpired during the meeting last Friday, there was no reply to my text message.
When I called him up several times, there were only rings but nobody answered.
I would have asked him to comment about the other details of the story I got about his alleged “approach” to the camp of Noynoy Aquino.
But he opted to invoke the Fifth Amendment. Of course, that is his right. I cannot force him to answer my calls or text messages. And that’s okay with me.
Now, now, assuming this story to be true, is there a chance that Cong. Chatto will be accepted by Liberal Party?
No way, no chance for that. This was the answer of a top Bohol politician who asked not to be named.
“Chatto’s hands are dirty. He was with the President when he went to the US and had those expensive dinners. Noynoy would not like to be associated with politicians who are close to the President,” his explanation.
This account about the US trip is not accurate. Cong. Chatto told us once in Kwentas Klaras that he was not with the President when she had these costly dinners.
And I want to believe that probably, this politician has already “approached” the camp of Noynoy Aquino and had gotten firm assurance that he would be considered.
If he had that assurance, naturally, Edgar Chatto has no more chance of becoming an LP bet for governor.
* * *
The Supreme Court has decided to reset the last Sunday of the Bar to October 4.
Atty. Cristina Layusa of the Office of the Bar Confidant told me yesterday the resetting was due to the heavy flooding of Taft Avenue and other Metro Manila streets.
The flooding prompted several BIT-IC barristers to abandon their temporary “residences.”
That’s just prolonging the agony, an observer said.
More when we return, stay tuned for more!

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Politics as game of perception

There was a lively exchange of ideas between Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Palanca Santiago and Judge Gabriel Ingles last Thursday on the issue of the new Ombudsman circular imposing stricter guidelines on the release or issuance of Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
Santiago said that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez merely wants responsibility on the procurer of the SALN.
She said this is nothing new because this “prohibition” existed even during the time of Ombudsman Aniano Desierto. This was reiterated during the time of Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo.
Santiago said one time, somebody asked the SALN of the former Overall Deputy Ombudsman. The SALN was later used to file a graft case against the overall deputy ombudsman.
Because of this, it was decided that there should be some form of restrictions in the issuance of SALN.
She said the SALN could be used for extortion or to malign a government official for personal gain
* * *
Anyway, under Gutierrez’s memo circular, these are the reasons that are considered as legitimate grounds for the release of SALN.
1. When the requested SALN is needed in school for study purposes.
2. When the same is disseminated to the general public by news and communication media.
3. Upon a court subpoena duly signed by a presiding judge in a pending criminal case or in the case of another quasi-judicial agency.
In addition, the memo requires the accomplishment of a form which shall be subscribed and sworn to before any Ombudsman prosecutor. The form has to be filed before the Ombudsman’s Public Assistance Bureau (PAB), which will determine whether the purpose of securing a copy of any SALN is legitimate.
* * *
Santiago said the new memo circular does not really prohibit the release of SALN.
“We only wanted some degree of responsibility on the person requesting,” she said.
* * *
Of course, there are criticisms to this.
Under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees, the public has the right to know the assets and liabilities of public officials and employees, including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.
Then, there is also a constitutional provision on the procurement of information on matters of public concern.
The constitution states that the “right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.” (Article III, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution.)
* * *
When Judge Ingles criticized these new restrictions, Santiago said why should everybody barge on the Ombudsman alone?
Why, can you easily get the SALN of judges and justices, came Santiago’s retort.
Well said, Madam.
* * *
Comelec Legal Division Chief Ferdinand Rafanan confirmed what Jarius Bondoc has written on his column last Friday.
He told Longcuts that a lot of people have been affected by what he said.
Rafanan said the Partido Lakas-Kampi (PALAKA) convention last Wednesday at EDSA Shangrila may be illegal.
It violated the Omnibus Election Code, he said, because party convention to pick its standard bearer must only be held from Oct. 21 to Nov. 19.
PALAKA held its convention on September 16.
Too early, he said.
And if we want to prevent election fraud, he told Longcuts, we must strictly enforce the election laws.
I noticed that he was highly emotional when he said this.
What was his point?
* * *
Well, he was commenting on the PALAKA convention.
Those who attended may be charged of an election offense. If found guilty, he said, they could be imprisoned from 1 to 6 years.
And those who were nominated, and accepted their nomination, could also be disqualified from running.
Along this line, he opined, the candidacy of PALAKA standard bearer Gilbert Teodoro and Ronaldo Puno may be imperiled.
When I asked if the Comelec could, on its own, proceed to file cases against the violators, he said it would be best if somebody would file the case, not the Comelec.
But somebody posed this issue – can PALAKA be considered a political party when it held its convention last Wednesday?
That’s a good defense, Rafanan said.
* * *
Rafanan gave an interesting insight on the automated election next year.
He said while it might be possible to corrupt the source code for the automated election next year to pave the way for dagdag-bawas, that job might be highly improbable.
And the probability is like saying one wins a lotto today, tomorrow, the next day and the next succeeding days for one whole week.
Or, being hit by lightning for ten consecutive days.
The only way they can hack the system is during transmission time. And transmission takes only 2 minutes maximum, he stressed. Terribly difficult for hackers to work their magic, he said.
And even if they somehow miraculously succeeded in hacking it, still, he said, they would have trouble understanding it because the data is encrypted. If they cannot decipher the data, they would not be able to make use of it, he added.
How is the data transmitted?
It’s like texting messages using SMART, Globe and other telecom companies like PLDT, he said. Very quick and very easy, he added.
How about in areas where there are no signal?
The provider will provide alternate means like installing satellite transmission system.
What happens when there is power interruption during the election, as hinted by the Energy secretary?
No problem, he said. Each machine has backup power supply that can last for at least 12 hours.
The voter is the one who feeds the ballot to the machine. It takes about 10 seconds for the machine to simultaneously scan, take picture and do a back to back recording of the ballot.
The ballot is 2 feet long. The print is back to back.
Because of the quickness of the counting system, he said, electoral terrorism could be avoided altogether. Before midnight of election day, the result of the election is already known.
Although, there will be no proclamation as yet for the presidency and vice presidency because of the prescribed congressional action.
Those who buy votes will have no chance of confronting the voter after the election because the ballot is completely untraceable, not even the gender of the voter is indicated, he said.
* * *
Meanwhile, I’ve been informed that abusive policeman Mario Torrejos of the Tagbilaran PNP has been reassigned to Pitogo or Pres. Carlos P. Garcia.
Aside from the administrative/criminal case that we filed against him, another complainant filed a case against him.
A swindling victim, who is a woman, went to the city police station for assistance. Torrejos was the receiving officer.
Instead of helping her, Torrejos proceeded to make fun, ridicule and make indecent advances to the woman in the presence of people.
He was bastos and a disgrace to the police profession, PD Edgardo Ingking told Longcuts last Friday morning.
We could not tolerate his behavior, he added.
The citizen’s complaint will be referred to the Internal Affairs Service of the PNP provincial command.
If warranted, Torrejos could be facing both administrative and criminal charges.
Torrejos is not the only “casualty,” PD Ingking said.
There are other abusive policemen who are also subjected to the wringer – a cadetship program in one of the towns of Cebu province that is intended to reorient the moral outlook of the abusive policemen.
He cited the case of the policeman in Corella who he reassigned to Mabini. Or the case of the policemen from Carmen who lawyered for the accused instead of helping the victim.
In his remaining days in Bohol, no doubt PD Ingking is making good impression against bad cops.
* * *
I’ve been told that politics is just a game of perception.
When a politician is perceived to be telling the truth, even when he isn’t, then he wins the popularity ratings.
In the raging “battle” between Cong. Edgar Chatto and Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera, I suppose the 1st district solon is winning.
He is perceived to be closer to PGMA. So naturally, many people are thinking that in the final analysis, Edgar Chatto will be anointed as the official candidate.
Recently, there was a news item that painted a line up of local candidates under the Chatto-Cajes wing. The news mentioned of possible candidates for the provincial board in the 3 districts. Most of the incumbents were mentioned.
True or not, that is not the issue.
What is primordial is the impression that Edgar Chatto has already solicited, and got, the support of most of the incumbents. If they flocked to Chatto, the perception is he must be stronger, powerful and more influential than Herrera.
Worse, Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera opted not to make his own line up saying it was still premature to do so.
And very recently, there was this story from NBN TV that mentioned of the admin’s bet in the province.
What was mentioned was Edgar Chatto as governor, Cajes as vice governor, Erico Aumentado for 2nd district and Boy Jala for the 3rd district.
And the accompanying story that after the PALAKA convention at EDSA Shangrila, there was a closed-door meeting that followed where Herrera was reportedly excluded.
When Longcuts asked him, Herrera merely answered “No Comment.”
He didn’t say it was true, he didn’t say it was not true. Longcuts was left to speculate.
And Longcuts’ speculation fuels further doubt as to whether or not he is at par with Edgar Chatto.
The reports that he is set to take his oath under Manny Villar’s NP is not helping him either.
The perception is that he has already accepted the fact that he has no chance of getting the official anointment as admin candidate and he is already thinking of his “other options.”
More when we return, stay tuned for more.

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Who demanded “for the boys”?


When I asked Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento if it’s true that there is no provision on protest in the automation law, he confirmed that there is none.
But he said the Comelec may invoke its constitutional powers to promulgate rules and procedure on protest.
When I asked if they have already formulated the rules on protest, Sarmiento said that will be included in the general instructions in the conduct of the automated polls.
This will be issued next month, he added.
* * *
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus is definitely running for the Senate.
In a text message last Friday, he told Longcuts that he is all set to run, though he didn’t mention which party. Presumably, he will be running under NPC, though it is also possible he will be drafted under the administration party.
He is banking on the support of the nationwide association of teachers.
He told me he is proud of his accomplishments geared at improving the lot of teachers nationwide.
In a recent Pulse Asia survey, Lapus came out as the top performer among Cabinet members.
Not bad.
* * *
The CVSCAFT is wracked with controversies.
For a long time now, the main campus is in Bilar. For practical reasons, they want to transfer it to Tagbilaran. No problem because they got the support of the 3 Bohol congressmen.
Congressional paperworks were taken care of.
But the CVSCAFT administration failed to conduct public consultation. They never sought the pulse of the Bilarnons, the Bilar school and town officials before embarking on the plan.
This is the reason why opposition to the plan is mounting.
CVSCAFT officials are also facing another big problem.
They don’t own the land where the Tagbilaran campus is situated. They are mere squatters because ownership of the land belongs to the provincial government.
They cannot own it because the province is not selling, assuming of course that CVSCAFT has the budget, which I doubt.
The best that the province can offer is allow CVSCAFT free use of the land without owning it.
The province is willing to execute a Deed of Usufruct.
Will this satisfy the requirement of law?
That is the big question.
But the bigger question is – why are they in a hurry?
* * *
There is a shortcut however.
They don’t have to comply with the law. All they need is the active support of the 3 congressmen. They can propose a bill in the House, ask somebody to sponsor similar bill in the Senate, consolidate the two versions in the bicam committee and submit the consolidated bill to the President for her signature.
Presto, mission accomplished.
The CVSCAFT doesn’t have to look for its own property. They can still accomplish the university conversion plan by the law passed in Congress.
* * *
When I asked lawyer Handel Lagunay about this, he said the province is content on the Deed of Usufruct.
The CVSCAFT will not own the property, the province will just allow it to squat on the land for 50 years, renewable for another 50 years.
Sort of an “internal arrangement” between the province and CVSCAFT.
* * *
They have scheduled a public consultation tomorrow in Bilar campus.
To my reckoning, this is nothing but consuelo de bobo.
They have already passed the bill in the House and the Senate. After consolidation, the bill heads to the president for signature. Then it becomes a law.
And it’s only now that they have decided to consult the people and the municipal officials of Bilar.
Very funny.
* * *
City kagawad Edgar Lo Kapirig was unusually silent when the proceedings of the sanggunian was not yet covered live.
Other than rendering a committee report, he just sat there on his assigned seat, warmed it, and waited until adjournment time.
I still have to hear him talk for 3 minutes straight.
Now that the proceedings is covered live, he’s now talkative.
Yes, talkative, but he talks in the vernacular. I would have wanted to hear him speak in English.
Despite the objection of kagawad Dandan Bantugan, Kapirig is insistent. He talks in the vernacular, the devil may care.
I wonder if the stenographers are happy. I’m sure they are trained in steno in English, not in the vernacular.
* * *
With the live coverage, Kapirig and other members of the “committee on silence” can now “eat their microphone” on any topic under the heat of the sun.
They can now grandstand, dilly-dally on any topic because they have unlimited supply of the vernacular.
Which does not happen very often when English is the dialect to be used.
Is this the price of the live broadcast?
* * *
Now, here’s what one gets when he talks only during live coverage and in the vernacular.
Kapirig moved last Friday to treat separately Committee Report No. 113 of the Committee on Appropriations and Accounts on a proposed ordinance approving a supplemental budget of the city government in the amount of P21,220,354.00 for the salary increase of the city officials and employees and the purchase of land for the dumpsite at Dampas District and other expenses.
Not possible, says kagawad Mariquit Oppus.
This is already 2nd reading, she said. If Kapirig wanted to make changes, that should have been done during the committee deliberations.
And Kapirig’s answer?
There was none, of course.
Because he knew that Oppus was right. And besides, he was not prepared to argue.
But there is one big reason why he could not argue.
A member of the committee told Longcuts that during the committee deliberations, Kapirig was notified of the meeting.
Despite receipt of the notice, he did not appear.
Of course, he could invent reasons for his absence. But the fact remains that he was presented with an opportunity but he lost it. Now that the matter was already on 2nd reading, Kapirig wanted to do something about the committee report.
Wake up, kagawad Kapirig!
And please study your House Rules before you open your mouth.
And please speak in English, Kagawad!
* * *
Dandan Bantugan says he has documents and witnesses to present to prove his case against the member of the city sanggunian who demanded money from the owner of the Tagbilaran Bingo Station at ICM.
The money “for the boys” was to be distributed to the members of the city sanggunian.
He could not name names because he is not covered under parliamentary immunity but he is willing to provide the documents from the Tagbilaran Bingo Station in the proper forum.
Oppus objected to the suggestion to refer the matter to the committee on public accountability which she chaired because she wanted an impartial body.
The matter was referred eventually to a fact-finding body to be headed by city legal officer Doni Piquero who was also given authority to pick his members.
* * *
When the matter was discussed yesterday during the Ang Mayor sa Dakbayan radio program, kagawad Djinggo Rama could not contain himself.
He called up and said he felt alluded to in the discussion of the Dandan Bantugan expose.
He said prior to his stint as city kagawad, he invested P500,000 together with businessman John Yap for the bingo center in ICM. With his investment, naturally, he received checks as “earnings.”
He also rejected the idea that he was the kagawad who demanded “for the boys” from the owner of the Bingo Station.
If he got checks from the Bingo Station, Djinggo said, that’s because he invested money for the bingo.
But he was out of the Bingo business because of “pressure” from the city mayor.
This was promptly denied by City Mayor Dan Neri Lim who said why should he interfere in the operation of a highly profitable business.
Djinggo also said his recommendation to talk to businessman Lim Kit Kai of Cagayan de Oro City was intended to help the fact-finding committee.
So while he admitted that he got checks from the Bingo Station, Djinggo denied that he was the kagawad who demanded “for the boys” from the owner of the bingo station.
In sum, there are outright denials from some members of the city sanggunian.
Bears watching when the Piquero committee will come up with its report to the committee on public accountability.
More when we return, stay tuned for more!

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The abusive city policeman

City legal officer Doni Piquero said there was nothing new in the argument of OIC governor Victor de la Serna in Friday’s hearing of the motion for the issuance of TRO in the sala of RTC Judge Patsita Gamutan.
It was nothing but a rehash of the issues previously raised by De la Serna, Piquero said when I asked him last Friday afternoon.
I could sense the disappointment of the city legal officer.


* * *

If so, then I missed nothing in that hearing.
I would have wanted to attend the hearing but I could not. I had to leave Friday for Manila for the Bar Ops.
After getting that personal invite from Victor de la Serna to attend the hearing last Friday, my mind was all set to attend and hear him argue on his points.
Of course, I really thought that aside from the points that he had been hammering for a long time now, he would raise new issues worth listening.
Maayo ra diay wa ko attend.

* * *

Personally, I really believe that his motion is headed for a denial.
I don’t think that he has raised sufficient legal and factual grounds to merit the grant of a temporary restraining order.
Among others, there is nothing to restrain anymore because the City Square is already actively doing business.
I don’t know about the 2nd floor but the 1st floor is now fully occupied.
In fact, many are happy that Andok’s is doing an all-day, all-night business. Anybody who wants his stomach filled anytime of the day or night can just go to the City Square.
But more than that, I’m sure many are very happy that they can stroll, dine, wine or simply enjoy the place at nighttime until the wee hours of the morning. The place is well-lighted and always teeming with people.

* * *

Well, the case is now submitted for decision.
The ball is now in the hands of Judge Patsi Gamutan.
Anyway, when I asked Doni about his personal feel of the case, he firmly said he expects a denial.

* * *

Never before did I encounter a policeman who is married and is so daring in his sexual exploits with other women.
Not until I came across the case of city policeman Mario Torrejos.
I personally saw him many times with different women at different times and at different places. But I kept my mouth shut because that is his personal business and something “domestic” between him and his wife and kids.
But after witnessing a violent incident last Wednesday night involving policeman Mario Torrejos of the city PNP, I really feel that there is no more reason to zip my mouth shut about the shenanigan of this sanamagan policeman.

* * *

I won’t go into details but suffice it to say that this arrogant and abusive policeman does not care a whit if the public will see or hear his violent streak.
He was angrily shouting and uttering unprintable expletives even when there were so many students and teachers in hearing distance.
He was also quick with his hands in inflicting physical pain. Mind you, not one slap but many slaps for that matter.
And again, while many people were watching.
And when he left in a huff, he almost bumped a top official of the school with his motorcycle. Thereafter, he did not say or do anything; not a word, he just went away as if nothing ever happened. The arrogance of Mario Torrejos was plastered all over his face and body.
Can you imagine a more violent city policeman than Mario Torrejos?
Obviously, he did not care about the feelings of the students, or the teachers, not even the school officials, when he was busy inflicting physical violence.
* * *
The wife is not yet convinced about filing a case of Violence Against Women and Children against this abusive policeman.
Her reasoning is simple, she is not doing anything yet because of their kids.
For a married person, this is not difficult to understand.

* * *

But Mario Torrejos may not rest easy.
Many people were scandalized by what he did or said in public.
And many people are also wondering how many policemen in the city are in the likes of this abusive policeman.
This is no ordinary case because the violator is a policeman. Which means, he is armed with an instrument of death. He could shoot and kill anytime.
Under ordinary circumstances, Mario Torrejos would not last long in that environment. He would be mobbed and hopefully, not skinned alive.
But because he was armed, nobody came to the succor of the hapless wife.

* * *

I am very grateful that PD Edgardo Ingking took immediate action when I sought help.
I am also very grateful that City Mayor Dan Neri Lim woke up without reluctance and called the city police. Yes, he was already sleeping when I disturbed him so he would take action against an abusive member of the city police.
When Mayor Dan Lim called me up later, he told me Mario Torrejos is notoriously known as a womanizer. And that the city police had already taken action against Torrejos.
Well, if the city police has the likes of Mario Torrejos, who flaunts not only his womanizing ways but also his readiness to inflict physical violence, then city police chief Cesar Gornez need not have to look so far for criminals.
He has one potential criminal in his hands.
PD Ingking told me he would just wait for a copy of the complaint against Torrejos and he would act accordingly. That may not be long.
Let us see how these things will develop.
More when we return, stay tuned for more!

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Bogus committee report


Elections in the country generally have only two outcomes – either a candidate wins or he is cheated.
This is the reason why suits and counter-suits immediately follow the elections.
The losing candidate usually files a protest; the winner also files the customary counter-protest just to prolong the proceedings until the next elections.
The cycle is repeated every 3 years.
And the lawyers are happy, naturally.
Justify Full

* * *

Everybody is now preparing for the automated elections next year. Candidates are gearing for the filing of certificates of candidacy on November 30.
The Comelec is urging voters to register. Advocacies for clean, honest and orderly elections are now regularly aired on TV or radio programs.
There are now aspirants for different positions, national or local.
And of course, some incumbent officials enjoy expensive infomercials that are paid for using people’s money.
The Comelec and Smartmatic are all excited over the miracles of poll automation. They say the canvassing for national positions gets done in 2 days, imagine that.

* * *

But lawyer Harry Roque said during the deliberation in the Supreme Court last Wednesday night, they discovered one thing – if the automated polls will push through, there is nothing in RA 9363 (automation law) or the Omnibus Election Code that governs electoral protests.
So what happens if a losing candidate files a protest?
What are the rules, the procedure, the jurisdiction in the protest?
How will the Comelec resolve the issues raised? What will be the basis of the ruling? And finally, how will the Supreme Court resolve the case on final review?

* * *

To make the automated polls really workable, he said, the Comelec ought to have asked Congress to amend the law.
The amendment, he said, should include provisions governing electoral protests, among others.
When asked if it is still possible for Congress to make the necessary amendments, Roque said the prospect is dim.
If there are absentee voters, there are also absentee members of Congress.
They could hardly muster a quorum.
So how can they do business?

* * *

There is another problem, he said.
It used to be that the Comelec has full control over the elections. Nothing gets done in the polls from registration to canvassing to deciding protests unless the Comelec enters into the picture.
As a former city election registrar told Longcuts once, during elections, the Comelec is like God.
And I concurred, based on actual practice and past experience.
But not anymore.
If the automated election pushes through, Roque said, it is Smartmatic, not the Comelec that is in full control.

* * *

When asked to explain, Roque said Smartmatic is in control because it has sole and exclusive “access” to the hardware and the software.
The software, especially.
Smartmatic could manipulate the computer software and the Comelec would be helpless. They could program anything and everything so the winner in the elections becomes pre-ordained.
Any training, any repair and anything that concerns the computer hardware or software is the exclusive domain of Smartmatic.
And he finishes his theory with this scenario – in the 2010 elections, it is Smartmatic, not the Comelec, that “ordains” the winners.
To win, candidates must not only consider the Comelec, they also have to consider Smartmatic.

* * *

For appearing and talking his mind in last Saturday’s Ang Mayor sa Dakbayan, city kagawad Dandan Bantugan got a whipping in the Bohol Chronicle where he maintains a column.
He was also whacked by his “colleagues” or “teammates” in radio programs over DYRD.
In this respect, he’s “helpless.”
It’s practically a no-win situation for Dandan.
He belongs to the majority bloc in the city sanggunian. And the majority bloc was accused of cover-up in the deliberation of the terribly boring issue of un-liquidated cash advances in the city.
So he has to speak out. He has to explain the cover-up story. He has to prove that the story that got printed in the Chronicle was not accurate. He has to narrate the incident when vice mayor Toto Veloso denied having said there was a cover-up.
In effect, Dandan has to publicly dispute the legitimacy of the cover-up story.
And he did it last Saturday over rival station DYTR.
By doing so, he committed a mortal sin.
So he has to be crucified.

* * *

Many are wondering how long Dandan’s column will last in the Chronicle.
Other people are also wondering how long will Dandan see the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.”
Will the management of the Bohol Chronicle allow Dandan to continue using the pages of the paper to freely express his thoughts?
Safest answer, of course is, only the future can divine.

* * *

Yesterday, Dandan “committed” another mortal sin.
Reacting on the premature publication and discussion in DYRD of the draft committee report submitted by committee on public accountability chair Mariquit Oppus, Dandan called up and said “Ingon ana na gyod ta ka desperado nga i-leak man dayon bisag wa pay pirma ang draft sa committee report?”
He also said kagawad Oppus has explained that the submission of the draft committee report was not intended for inclusion in the agenda.
“Ako gi-release para makuha nako ang consensus sa ubang miembro, dili para i-agenda,” Oppus reportedly said.
There are several questions about the inclusion of the draft committee report in the agenda of the city sanggunian last Friday.
One, why was it included in the agenda when it was still a draft?
Two, why the haste to include it when there were yet no signatures in the report?
Three, it was submitted past the deadline. Dandan said it was marked received past 4 of Thursday while the deadline is not later than 5pm of Wednesday.
Four, who leaked it to DYRD when it was not yet official?
Of course, I will not ask why it was prematurely reported when its legitimacy and provenance are still in question.

* * *

There are 4 people who, Dandan said, are “responsible” for the “progress” of the draft committee report.
They are kagawad Mariquit Oppus, the SB Secretary, Majority Floor Leader Edgar Bompat and Vice Mayor Toto Veloso.
Dandan said Oppus denied having leaked the report.
Bompat is also unlikely to leak it, said Dandan.
That leaves the SB Secretary and VM Toto Veloso.
Question – who do you think has the best motive to provide DYRD reporters with a copy of the draft, nay, bogus, committee report?

* * *

Meanwhile, I called up yesterday Atty. Eliseo Labaria, the provincial election registrar for his comments.
I also called up Comelec Assistant Regional Director Atty. Veronico Petalcorin regarding the governing law on protests in an automated elections.
Labaria told me there is none.
Petalcorin texted me this message, “nanawag ko nyor, wala pa Comelec guidelines sa protest.”
When I asked him what will happen now, ARED Petalcorin texted back “mao nay issue nga i-resolve sa Comelec en banc, perhaps it will invoke its constitutional powers.”
On the issue of implementing rules on the conduct of the automated elections, both officials also told me they have not yet received any.
Because of this bleak scenario, Roque told me some presidential aspirants are beginning to get itchy feelings about their huge investments in infomercials.
Well, I’m sure in the coming days, there will be “silent” moves to reassess the campaign strategies of these presidential aspirants.
More when we return, stay tuned for more.


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No cover-up, no apology


I proxied as principal sponsor to a barangay captain who got married last Saturday morning somewhere in Duero.
While waiting for the mass to start, I chanced upon former congressman Boy Jala talking to another wedding sponsor.
Seeing me, he went near me and murmured his displeasure over the plan of some municipal kagawads to hold a Lakbay Aral.
“Mapordoy gyod ang gobierno ug mao ni ang mag-uso,” was his remark.
I concurred and cited the trip of the municipal mayors to Guam.
“Junket ra gyod to,” was my comment.
“Gi-disallow man to sa COA,” was his reaction.
“Mao bitaw nay rason nga nagtapal ang mga mayor sa gasto nila didto. Ang uban, nagproblema asa ug itapal,” was the reaction of a DILG official in one of the towns of Bohol who was nearby.
* * *
When I asked DILG Provincial Director Rose Mascarinas about this, she denied any personal knowledge about the disallowance.
She told Longcuts that while the DILG favorably endorsed the Guam trip, she was ignorant about the disallowance.
That is the job of the COA, she told me.
Personally, she was in favor of the trip, citing tremendous benefits.
When we asked Corella Mayor Vito Rapal about this, he confirmed that there was indeed a COA disallowance, though it was considered an official travel.
When I asked if there has been any sisterhood agreement between Guam and any Bohol town, nada, was his answer.
His impression of Guam?
They have nice roads, nice buildings and 4-lane traffic system, unlike here where we only have 2-lane traffic, was his reply.
When asked about transfer of technology, there’s none, was his reply.
* * *
Instead of the Filipino taxpayers paying the bill for that Guam junket, thanks COA, the mayors are the ones footing the bill.
And rightly so, I should add.
Right from the time I learned about it, I already expressed serious misgivings about the propriety of the trip.
Thoroughly unnecessary, was my firm belief.
I even questioned the so-called sisterhood agreements that were supposed to be established.
Per admission of Mayor Rapal, nothing substantial was achieved, save perhaps the multi-entry US visa that they got.
Methinks the mayors were more interested in the US visa than anything else.
The US visa alone, never mind the trip, made the P56,000 plus bill looks like sisiw.
Of course, there were fringe benefits.
* * *
A Bohol mayor brought along her husband to Guam. While in Guam, she was the model exemplar of a perfect wife.
Away from the children and the usual hassles of work, they had a perfect getaway vacation. It was as if they had another bout of a very fulfilling honeymoon.
Sated and very satisfied, the husband could not ask for more. Like having a newly changed-oil engine, the husband was looking forward for more quality time with his wife.
When they reached Manila, the husband got the biggest shock of his life.
Actually, the husband was making arrangements for their connecting trip for Bohol while the wife was left behind, purportedly handling or watching for their baggage.
While the husband was making the pila, the wife told him over the cellphone that she was about to board her plane for the US.
He was shocked, he could not believe it.
And he could not argue because the call was suddenly disconnected.
* * *
Actually, this scheming wife became a municipal mayor by mere accident. But once in position, she learned fast. And the way she performed her double role in Guam proved this.
All the while she was taking care of her husband, making love and making nice conversation with him, performing her loving and caring role with exquisite finesse, she was also planning her own secret getaway.
If only she were pretty, if only she had nice figure, if only she had brains, I’m sure she could be perfect in showbiz.
Anyway, the husband was shattered. He could not believe it. But there was nothing he could do. The cellphone of his wife was suddenly “cannot be reached.”
Suspecting another secret liaison, the husband decided to investigate.
He was right. The wife went somewhere, not really in the US, and met her paramour, who is also married. There, the wife had another sexual congress for 2 days straight.
Well, the mayor-wife might be severely handicapped in the face, figure and brains department, but she has an abundant supply of libido.
Anyway, with the disallowance of COA, she is now making refunds for her and her husband’s trip.
* * *
City kagawad Djingo Rama reminded me last Friday to be objective in dealing with the privilege speech of city kagawad Oscar Glovasa.
He wanted me to also seek the side of Vice Mayor Toto Veloso because according to him, Oscar Glovasa sought the forgiveness of Toto Veloso.
Why ask forgiveness, I queried.
It turned out that Oscar Glovasa had it all wrong after Toto Veloso did some research, was Djingo’s reply.
Interesting story, really, from Djingo Rama.
Anyway, Toto Veloso was quoted to have accused the majority of cover-up in the un-liquidated cash advance issue which saw print in the Bohol Chronicle and read many times in DYRD. Oscar Glovasa refuted this accusation using records from the sanggunian.
He proved the falsity of Toto Veloso’s accusation point by point.
Now here comes Djingo Rama with his fancy story that Oscar Glovasa asked forgiveness from Toto Veloso.
I texted Toto Veloso and sought for his comments if this story from Djingo Rama were true.
I got this reply.
“Yes, nag apologize for transgressing mura man to abt sa iya privilege speech wherein hisgot pod cya na his com was awaiting my report for d 2007 unliquidated as d requesting ofcl kuno nga nagsulat sa coa.”
* * *
When I asked for his reaction to the apology, Toto Veloso texted back.
“Mao ako tubag wen we reciv d list gi refer namo sa joint com on apro nd pub accountability nd nvestigtn. Mao ako ingnan naunsa mani ako naman pahatagon report sa com. Mao btw gi refer sa com for der findings and recommendations.”
When I asked Kagawad Oscar Glovasa about this, he said he apologized not because he committed some errors but because he used the term “demand.”
He thought the term “demand” was too much, it should have been prudent to use the term “request” after all, Toto is the presiding officer.
This was when he said in his privilege speech that “….today, I am not opening an investigation but I would not only request but demand from the honorable vice mayor and all SP members to submit to the chair of the appropriation committee their written comments and observations on the findings of the COA report…..”
* * *
Last Saturday, city kagawads Oscar Glovasa, Edgar Bompat and Dandan Bantugan guested the weekly Ang Mayor sa Dakbayan radio program.
Glovasa was bristling over the banner story in the Bohol Chronicle last Sunday over the “another cover-up” issue in the discussion of the unliquidated cash advances of the city.
The report quoted vice mayor Toto Veloso as the source of the story.
In his privilege speech last Thursday, Glovasa clarified that there could be no cover-up because the committee on appropriations chaired by Glovasa is still waiting for the comments and observations of the members of the sanggunian on the COA report.
He said the members of the sanggunian, including the vice mayor, were given sufficient time to study and make comments and observations on the report.
“Kon gidali-dali pa unta ug tackle sa akong committee ang maong issue, basin ug pasanginlan na sab ko ug railroading. Kana kay gihatagan sila ug dako dako nga time pagtuon sa maong report, mao nay pagmatuod nga walay cover-up,” Glovasa explained.
So the question, was the banner story in the Chronicle accurate or not?
Kagawad Dandan Bantugan has the answer.
He said yesterday that vice mayor Toto Veloso admitted that he never said there was any cover-up in the sanggunian.
So if Toto Veloso didn’t say there was cover-up but it was reported that he said there was, then who could have invented this word?
More when we return, stay tuned for more!

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Controversial cops in Carmen

Local banks were reminded once of the need to install close circuit TV (CCTV) for security purposes.
In case of a bank heist, security personnel can easily review the tapes.
The malefactors can be identified in flagrante delicto.
The case will be solved quickly.
* * *
I am reminded of this issue of CCTV when an incident occurred involving a police officer in one of the city’s resorts.
Accordingly, the policeman was staying near the front desk of the resort while a costumer was busy surfing the internet.
Suddenly, she walked away, leaving her purse behind.
Seeing the purse, the policeman took it. He must have forgotten his law at that time.
When the costumer returned looking for her purse, the policeman was ded-ma, his face a model of innocence.
Unknown to him, there was an all-seeing robotic eyes recording anything and everything that transpired at the front desk.
When the tape was reviewed, he was caught on TV “with his pants down.”
He could not deny anymore.
* * *
I received text messages about this incident.
So I immediately sought confirmation from PNP provincial director Col. Edgardo Ingking.
He told me it is true that his driver/bodyguard was indeed caught stealing.
And the erring policeman was immediately placed under suspension, he told me.
When I asked if it’s true that there was news blackout, as one of the text messages insinuated, Col. Ingking strongly denied and stressed that there was never any attempt on his part to cover-up the incident.
He said the incident was reported in local papers and also in local radio stations.
When I texted the texter about Col. Ingking’s answer, I got a reply that only DYTR reported the incident.
And he said no local paper reported the incident.
* * *
I can only presume that the “victimized” costumer must be very glad and happy that the resort was equipped with CCTV.
It goes without saying that minus the recording on CCTV, there was no chance that the costumer would be able to recover her purse and everything inside.
I can also presume that Col. Ingking must be seething with anger at his “balhiboon ug kamot” driver/bodyguard.
Understandable, of course.
But I suppose the suspension was too light a penalty for the driver/bodyguard.
Agree, Colonel?
* * *
Meanwhile, the victim of a near fatal stabbing and shooting incident in Carmen town is complaining.
His right foot was almost severed by the force of the hacking. He’s got several stab wounds on the stomach and arms. And he’s got a through-and-through wound from a bullet fired by one of the 4 assailants.
Days after he got out from the hospital, he had two visitors from the Carmen Police Station.
They were there on behalf of the parents and wife of the 4 assailants. The policemen offered a settlement of P100,000. When the victim did not reply, the policeman stressed that it was better to settle the case and receive the money than file a case that takes long to finish and the outcome is not certain.
The victim did not negotiate so the policemen went away.
Not long after, the same policemen called the victim and told him to come to the police station regarding the incident.
When the victim and his mother arrived, the parents and wife of the 4 assailants were already there. This time, the offer was reduced to P50,000. The policeman who “lawyered” for the 4 accused and who “presided” the meeting repeated that a compromise was a better deal than the filing of a case.
It became apparent to the victims that the 2 policemen from Carmen were more interested in the “areglo” than in the prosecution of the case.
So they decided to consult a lawyer and later file the corresponding administrative charge against the policemen.
End of the story?
Nope.
When the witnesses went to the provincial prosecution office to subscribe their affidavits, the prosecutor went ballistic upon reading the affidavit.
“These policemen are notorious,” the prosecutor said.
He recited another incident involving the said policemen from Carmen.
In fact, he said, the PNP provincial director is aware of the shenanigans of these policemen.
When I called up Col. Edgardo Ingking about this, he confirmed about the cases he filed against certain policemen in Carmen though he could not remember the names of policemen with pending charges at the time I called up.
But he expressed his concurrence to the filing of cases against the erring policemen.
He said the filing of the case would greatly help him weed out the undesirables in the police ranks.
He even vowed to help in the prosecution of the case because he would not tolerate this kind of cops.
The prosecutors who were present when the ballistic prosecutor went ranting about the cops opined that this could be the reason why there are so many unsolved crimes in Carmen town.
How about that Mayor Boy Molina?
* * *
There was also an amusing incident involving the aviation security personnel at the city airport.
A consignment of airsoft grenade launcher was loaded on board a Cebu Pacific flight from Manila.
The local aviation security personnel were alerted because the package reportedly did not have the necessary credentials.
It was consigned to lawyer Arturo Piollo Jr., son of provincial kagawad Aster Piollo, who we later learned is engaged in the business of selling airsoft guns and paraphernalias.
When the cargo arrived, aviation personnel immediately seized it and brought it to Camp Dagohoy for further investigation.
When I asked Tibbs Bullecer about this (Tibbs is the LSA of kagawad Piollo), he said apparently, the aviation personnel do not know how to distinguish real guns from toy guns.
Ouch, careful Tibbs, I thought during the interview.
The seized package, he said, were actually imported toy guns for the business of his brother-in-law.
The toy guns though looked like real guns, he admitted later.
“Kon kahibalo pa lang sila moila ug toy guns, di na unta to nila angay pa nga dakpon,” Tibbs said.
I told him I encountered similar problem when I brought a 9mm airsoft gun from abroad. The Supercat personnel in Cebu refused to allow me to bring the gun without the necessary papers from the PNP.
If a 9mm requires PNP clearance, how much more a grenade launcher, I reasoned out.
He answered that his brother-in-law was not to blame but the one who sent the package. How could the package find its way to the cargo hold of Cebu Pacific if there were no documents to support it, he asked.
True enough, but the fact remains that if there was no proper documentation for the airsoft grenade launcher, the local aviation personnel have legal basis to seize the cargo.
It is now up to the consignee to prove the provenance and legality of the seized cargo.
* * *
Meanwhile, somebody sent a text asking me to access the You Tube and look for “Tagbilaran City Mayor Lim scandal.” The texter also asked me to “pass around” the message.
There is only a number of the cellphone but I think I know the guy who sent the text message.
Anyway, the city mayor knows about this and he also knows what the “scandal” is all about.
If you are too busy to look for You Tube, the “scandal” is about the garbage problem in Dampas.
There is a narration from the usual “basurero” of the city mayor and this time they are talking about “basura.” One can also see city kagawad Djinggo Rama in that presentation.
Simply said, the basura problem cropped up because the bulldozer broke down.
So if the bulldozer is back in action, as it is now, then the basura problem is kaput.
But the issue is not that simple. The present dump site does not conform to the Clear Air Act. There is a need to transfer the dumpsite elsewhere.
More when we return, stay tuned for more!

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Herrera-Abapo versus Chatto-Cajes?



One reason why Governor Erico Aumentado has a very flexible schedule is because he has somebody he can rely on in the capitol when he’s out of the province.
He knows that the provincial government is in good hands when he decides to travel. Which is becoming frequent and regular.
He picked a politician who is just right for the job, and who can wield the title “little governor” sans a swell head.
Tommy Abapo is that guy.
As provincial administrator, he mans the office of the governor when the guv is out.

* * *

I heard that Tommy Abapo is eyeing the vice governatorial seat comes May 2010.
He has two choices – Edgar Chatto or Julius Herrera.
When I asked Cong. Ed Chatto weeks back, he said Tommy Abapo told him he’s open for drafting as Edgar’s running-mate. And he’s being considered as a possible, Edgar said.
But his body language speaks different.
He is constantly seen in the company of outgoing solon Ondoy Cajes in his provincial sorties. In fact, somebody told me there is an agreement kuno to pool their resources together.
So, it is possible that Edgar Chatto may have Ondoy Cajes as his running mate.
That leaves Tommy Abapo with Julius Herrera.

* * *

Many are in agreement that anybody who gets the “basbas” of governor Erico Aumentado will have an edge because the gov enjoys terrific clout all over the province, especially in the 2nd district.
The guessing game these days is who between Julius and Edgar will get the blessings of the guv.
When asked who would get his blessings last week during his weekly radio program, the guv expertly parried and avoided being prematurely put in the bind.
He said there is a process that will be followed. There is a committee that will decide and he’s just one vote in that committee.
That is the textbook reply.
The unspoken reply of course is that whoever gets the “basbas” of the gov will easily hurdle the so-called “committee.”
And the guv is not about to open his lips yet.

* * *

So who stands a better chance at getting the basbas, Edgar Chatto or Julius Herrera?
Hard to tell.
Many times, I’ve heard the guv telling other people that Edgar was his heir apparent. Of course, Edgar was present when the guv said those words.
But I also know that right there in Calape, the guv told the Calapenhons that Julius would be the next governor.
And since the time he became vice governor up to the present, Julius has never given the guv a headache.
He’s fully supportive of the guv, his supporters say. One reason why the guv is terribly successful in “stealing” projects for Bohol, to the consternation of other provinces which were left holding an empty bag.
The guv has a lot of room to maneuver outside of the province because his flank is protected.
He does not have to guard his 6 because he knows that Julius can be relied upon to toe the line.
In this respect, he owes Julius big time. Not to mention his promise in Calape.
Along this line, the guv also owes Tommy Abapo big time. He has been a good lieutenant-cum-ally.
It is in this milieu that I daresay the Julius-Tommy tandem enjoys better chances at getting the “basbas” than that of the Edgar-Ondoy tandem.
Overall, the Julius-Tommy and Edgar-Ondoy battle royale comes May 2010 should be very interesting.

* * *

So Rene Relampagos has indeed transferred registration from the 3rd district to the 1st district. That was confirmed by a very reliable source last Wednesday.
In our last column, I queried if Rene is gunning for the congressional seat or the board seat in the 1st district.
Well, somebody told me last Wednesday that Rene is a possible shoe-in for the congressional seat. And the source told me “the door is wide open” for Rene’s ticket to ride with the guv’s express train.
No chance at sheltering under Cong. Edgar’s train, I asked.
The source said that is very unlikely.
Rene still nurtures “hurt feelings” towards his former party mates, and that includes Edgar Chatto. He felt abandoned, betrayed and that sort of feeling, my source said.
It is possible that Rene and Gov will join forces, the source said, because they have one common experience with Edgar Chatto.
The gov lost in Balilihan, the source said. The same goes with Rene.

* * *

There is a belief widely endorsed by some people in the capitol that the 3 congressmen, Ondoy, Edgar and Boy Jala would stick as one in the coming May polls.
The body language shared by Edgar and Ondoy may already indicate the possible grouping.
As such, Boy Jala’s congressional bid in the 3rd district should most likely be under the same political shelter.
The only missing piece is Edgar’s anointed in the 1st district congressional race.
Is it possible for him to draft Rene in his fold?
Possible also, considering the present political dynamics. Yes, politics is addition, and all that. Never mind those hurt feelings in the past.
Possible also that Edgar will endorse his wife Pureza in the congressional race. After all, it is common knowledge that Pureza proxies Edgar everytime there is conflict in schedule and the event is too important to be assigned either to Tatay Billy or BM Ae Damalerio.
In this regard, Pureza is no stranger to the leaders of the district. And she enjoys the free use of the “Chatto” for name recall purposes.
If this materializes, then it’s also battle royale between Rene Relampagos and Pureza Chatto in the 1st district.

** *

The 3rd district congressional fight is also very interesting.
Sitting congressman Adam Relson Jala is Boy Jala’s son. While father is campaigning to reclaim his old seat, yes, it’s all in the family, his son is sitting as congresman.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap expects to have his hands full in the campaign trail.
He told me weeks back that Boy Jala is a very strong opponent. He has retained his leaders and supporters in all the towns of the district. He also dispenses Adam’s projects to the different barangays like he never left the position at all.
And Arthur Yap was already dumbfounded with the clout of Boy Jala.
But I gave him another disturbing thought to consider.
Not only is Boy Jala very strong, you should also consider that during the campaign period, his son is the sitting congressman, with several millions in pork barrel to boot. This makes the Jala express train as powerful as a 4x4 off-road vehicle.
And he was speechless.
Apparently, he didn’t factor in the role of Boy Jala’s son in the total picture.

* * *

But he is not discouraged.
Arthur Yap is fighting along the path of development. He dispenses projects left and right in the different barangays of the district. His billions in departmental budget come in handy because he can liberally sprinkle them in the district, if he wants.
And many intelligent voters in the district are appalled, insulted even, by the “all in the family” political dynamics of Boy Jala.
And very recently, there are talks that elder brother Dr. Elpedio Jala may also launch his candidacy for a board seat in the 3rd district.
He’s retiring comes November, in time for the advance filing of the certificate of candidacy if the automated polls should materialize.
As of now, the idea is just that, an idea. Even Comelec officials are uncertain if the automated polls would get a green light.

* * *

Meanwhile, the van operators in the province of Bohol will meet on Tuesday to formally organize and coordinate their sentiments and aspirations.
Among the issues that should be discussed is the problem involving the franchise. Unless they can secure a franchise to operate, they will always be under the mercy of the corrupt TMG officials.
Bears watching because this is the first time that the van operators have consolidated their forces. When united and they speak in one voice, they become a force to reckon with in the tourism industry.
More when we return, stay tuned for more.




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The Gov was used?



Graduation day is fast approaching.
And the usual problem attendant to graduation is again resurrected.
Graduation fees for one.
Public schools are prohibited from collecting any fees except those expressly specified by DepEd like Boy Scout, Girl Scout and the like.
Graduation fee, not being included in the list, is taboo.

* * *

But some public school officials have invented an easy way to circumvent the law.
Depending on the savvy of the principal, there is an easy way to shortcut the legal prohibition.
“Illegal” collection can still be made thru the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA).
Anything is possible with the PTA.
After all, who can question the combined wishes of the parents to contribute or do something for the school?

* * *

The problem usually arises when they are some parents who disagree with the wishes of the majority.
Failing in their serious protest before the PTA, they come marching to the DepEd and seek opinion on whether collection of fees is allowed.
The DepEd naturally washes its hands. Invoking the law and the pronouncement of the President, the DepEd says collection is not allowed.
But not so when collection is made by the PTA and the amount is reasonable.

* * *

But there are some dynamics at play here.
Usually, the top officials of the PTA are parents of graduating students.
Some of them are parents of honor students.
A little insinuation here and there by the teachers or principal, and the parents concerned who are also top officials of PTA immediately get the message.
To ensure top honors or passing marks for their graduating students, it won’t hurt to ask for some projects from the PTA.
And the “enlightened” parents would right away reciprocate by actively promoting the idea before the PTA meeting.
Depending on how the idea is presented, usually, nobody is willing to waste time arguing something that is “for the good of their children.”
There being no objection, especially from the so-called “silent majority,” the measure is carried and approved overwhelmingly.
Presto, the minutes of the meeting will now state for the record that there shall be a compulsory contribution for the graduation rites.
When somebody questions, usually those who were absent during the PTA meeting, the PTA president does the job of defending the decision to collect.
The teacher or principal just sits at the sidelines without losing sweat.
Neat, right?

* * *

Meanwhile, whoever thought of that March 13, 2009 letter of the governor which was read during the weekly Governor’s Report last Friday was not doing him a favor.
The day the letter was dated, and read, the governor was out of the country.
Previous to that, he was also in Manila most of the time. This is the reason why for several Fridays now, the governor was nowhere, only his voice or his trusted subalterns like Boy Pernia, June Blanco, Tommy Abapo or Handel Lagunay could be heard.

* * *

So what’s wrong with the letter?
Too late the hero. It came at a time when the smelly seepage problem has already been solved.
And solved, not by those who caused it, but by the official who was lambasted by the so-called “environmentalists” for taking no action against the illegal connections to the CPG drainage system.
The letter came at a time when city mayor Dan Neri Lim has already ordered the reopening of the “storm sewer” that connects B. Inting Street to the drainage outfall behind Tantrade Enterprises along Gallares Street.
In a sense, the real significance of the letter was not the contents of the letter but the author of that letter.
This takes particular significance in the current tiff between city mayor Dan Neri Lim and the Chronicle/DYRD.
I hate to say this but the governor is now “officially listed” on the side of the mayor’s opponents.

* * *

What was the cause of the smelly seepage?
PENRO Nestor Canda says it was the result of the closure of the so-called “illegal connections.”
For several months, the city mayor has been the favorite punching bag of every “environmental crusader” in the city for his so-called inaction to the illegal connections to the CPG drainage system.
He was “punched” repeatedly with the perennial flooding at CPG North.
Even when he “solved” the problem by opening the drainage system at San Jose Street, he was again punched repeatedly for the resulting “heavy” pollution at the Tagbilaran Bay area.
There was even a “mad scramble” with the so-called high toxicity findings of the drainage water downloaded to the Tagbilaran Bay area. There were even “reports” of heavy pollution along the Cainggit Beach area, no more swimmers, no more costumers.
This was capped by the request of the governor to DENR secretary Lito Atienza to order the closure of the drainage outfall.
But all these turned out to be a heavily orchestrated drama.

* * *

Nobody from the ranks of the so-called “environmentalists” complained when the smelly seepage started offending the sight and smell of the businessmen and commuters along CPG Avenue in front of Mercury Drug. They were obscenely silent.
Which contrasts sharply from their raucous condemnation of the city mayor on the illegal connection issue.
Why?
Because they must have realized the error in pushing for closure of the “illegal connections” without giving the “illegal connectors” viable alternatives.
The smell was the direct result in the closure of the so-called illegal connections.
So even when the stink was overwhelming, they kept silent. And let others do the talking and condemning.
The enlistment of the gov later on one was a bonus.

* * *

If the letter of the gov came out about 2 or 3 weeks ago, Longcuts is willing to give credit for showmanship.
But when read last Friday just when the problem was already “solved,” the letter accomplished nothing substantial.
I don’t want to venture the appropriate word for the enlistment of the governor but what easily comes to mind is the word “used.”
Yes, the gov was “used.”
I hope that was not the intention of the governor. I hope he knows the implication of writing something that can be considered as moot and academic. More when we return, stay tuned for more!

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The Mayor with a Honda CRV

All the while, there was so much noise over the so-called un-liquidated cash advances in the city.
The thinking was – there was some corruption going on in the city government and the so-called whistle-blowers were having a grand time basking on the limelight.
But if there was corruption, one wonders why the COA has not filed administrative or criminal charges against the grafters.
If there was corruption, one also wonders why the whistle-blowers are not filing complaints before the Ombudsman.
There are certified whackos in the city who file graft cases left and right. The whistle-blowers could have summoned their valuable assistance for the filing of appropriate cases.
But there is none.
And besides, why is the city government the only focus of attack?
Why not the province or some other government offices.
In the case of the province, I doubt if the governor does not have an abundance of un-liquidated cash advances taking into account his constant travels, here and abroad.
* * *
Here’s a simple case of un-liquidated cash advance.
An official travel brought Juan to Manila. He stayed there for 2 days. In the course of his stay, he incurred expenses. He kept all the receipts but unfortunately, he lost one receipt when he bought one ream of short bond paper.
Time came to return to office, he took an inventory and discovered one missing receipt for 250 (short bond paper).
So even if Juan could properly account for his other expenditures of 49,750, still under the record, Juan has an un-liquidated cash advance of P50,000.
It is a basic accounting principle that accounts should be balanced down to the last centavo.
* * *
In the case of Arlene Karaan, executive assistant to the city mayor, she was listed as having an un-liquidated cash advance of 700,000 plus.
She was immediately lambasted left and right, in both print and broadcast.
Some members of the local media took potshots at her – things like, “unsa man ang panakot nga gipalit sa cook sa city, bulawan?”
She was not given the chance to explain why she had an un-liquidated cash advance.
It was a case of condemn first, explain later.
Anybody in her shoes would naturally get ballistic.
* * *
Now, it turned out that she had already settled her un-liquidated cash advances a long time ago.
The Office of the City Accountant has released documents to show that the cash advances in the name of Arlene Karaan were already settled and liquidated. Turned out not a single centavo was spent for “golden spices.”
City kagawad Oscar Glovasa took this up during the regular session of the city sanggunian last Friday.
But prior to that, Arlene Karaan had the floor of the sanggunian all to herself.
In between tears, she expressed disappointment over the way she was treated in the media.
And in a very dramatic manner, she asked somebody in the sanggunian, “kon ikaw balikbalikon ug sulti nga kawatan imong papa, malipay ka?”
* * *
She was deeply hurt and terribly offended.
She narrated her misgivings to Longcuts last Saturday morning.
She said she was just honestly doing her job, what she likes most. And here comes allegations “nga di makaon ug iro” leveled against her, she said.
* * *
A lot of parents and athletes are complaining.
The athletes have been practicing for months now. They were honing in their talent in the hope of harvesting the elusive gold medal in Dumaguete City during the 2009 CVIRAA Games next week.
The parents are also expecting the best performance from their children.
But, bad news.
The DepEd has decided to downsize the delegation, only about half will proceed to Dumaguete. The rest, maybe next time.
This was relayed just as they were already all-set to go.
Terribly frustrating, I should say.
* * *
Okay, okay, we can understand the cost-cutting. The budget is not enough for the original delegation. The decision to cut size is therefore practical.
But who remains in the delegation?
We hope the delegation is stripped of the kibitzers or the “socializers.”
They do nothing but socialize – eat, drink and be merry. They have nothing to do with the games. They are only after the socials.
And of course, they expect to earn “points” in their personal files. And in DepEd lingo, those “points” are a must for promotion. Minus those “points,” one can only dream of going up the ladder of the profession.
Longcuts hopes the new delegation to the CVIRAA Games in Dumaguete is purged of the kibitzers and “socialists.”
Only those who have real and actual job should go.
* * *
When is a newspaper considered of general circulation as required when publishing notices of extrajudicial foreclosure?
In a February 27, 2009 Metrobank vs. Penafiel case, the Supreme Court has an occasion to rule on this issue.
The Court said that “to be a newspaper of general circulation, it is enough that it is published for the dissemination of local news and general information, that it has a bona fide subscription list of paying subscribers, and that it is published at regular intervals. Over and above all these, the newspaper must be available to the public in general, and not just to a select few chosen by the publisher. Otherwise, the precise objective of publishing the notice of sale in the newspaper will not be realized.”
“In fact,” the Supreme Court continued, “to ensure a wide readership of the newspaper, jurisprudence suggests that the newspaper must also be appealing to the public in general. The Court has, therefore, held in several cases that the newspaper must not be devoted solely to the interests, or published for the entertainment, of a particular class, profession, trade, calling, race, or religious denomination. The newspaper need not have the largest circulation so long as it is of general circulation.
Sec. 3 of Act No. 3135 does not only require that the newspaper must be of general circulation; it also requires that the newspaper be circulated in the municipality or city where the property is located.”
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Remember, the case filed by the oppositors to the rehabilitate-operate-transfer (ROT) contract between the city government and a private consortium?
One of the issues raised was the propriety of publishing the notice in the Manila Times.
Does the Manila Times meet this requirement?
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Still remember the case of the lady-mayor who charged her husband with a VAWC case before the courts so she could maintain her regular sexual congress with her paramour because the husband had to disappear from the conjugal picture?
Turned out she has another case pending before the Ombudsman.
She is also facing one criminal and one administrative case.
Which means, this lustful mayor has 3 Ombudsman cases to consider.
The source told Longcuts last week this mayor has very slim chance at reelection because of the issues raised against her.
You see, her paramour has bought a Honda CRV for her personal service. The vehicle is not registered in her name but in the name of a favorite supplier.
Just to be on the safe side, or so they thought.
Interested in her identity, look around and see which lady-mayor is sporting a Honda CRV these days?
More when we return, stay tuned for more!

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