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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