The mighty U.S. dollar

“Money is my military, each dollar a soldier. I never send my money into battle unprepared and undefended. I send it to conquer and take currency prisoner and bring it back to me.”

—Kevin O'Leary

By Alex P. Vidal

THE exchange rate from Philippine peso to U.S. dollar as of April 6, 2022 was P51.42 to $1.

If we have a $100 bill, the highest value of denomination currently in production, it is equivalent to P5,135. 

Before sending money to the Philippines, I first check the latest exchange rate and start comparing the peso to dollar at $100 mark.

If it is P5,000+ for a $100, it’s easy to figure out the amount to send via direct bank deposit or Western Union and Moneygram, among other methods of remittance.

Some foreign-based dollar earners are “satisfied” if the current exchange rate doesn’t fall below P5,000 for one hundred U.S. dollar.   

Families in the Philippines that rely on remittances from their Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) relatives anywhere in the world rejoice if the exchange rate is higher because they will receive more.

Officially crowned the world's reserve currency and backed by the world's largest gold reserves, the U.S. dollar is still mightier thanks to the Bretton Woods Agreement. 

Other countries accumulated reserves of U.S. dollars instead of gold reserves.

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Some people are concerned that a higher peso to dollar exchange rate might have a bad effect on the wallet of those who don’t have OFW family members. 

While it is cause for celebration for OFW families, this might mean, on the other hand, a weaker economy as a country. 

The theory is that the higher the exchange rate, the weaker the peso will be and the weaker the economy. But let us leave the matter to the economists.

The most important is the U.S. dollar-dominated world economy continues to be stable despite the economic sanctions on Russia. 

This will alway be a healthy sign for the Philippines in as far as dollar remittances from OFWs are concerned. 

This is also the reason why we don’t want the war Russia had initiated against Ukraine to escalate. 

If we have a peaceful geopolitics and foreign relations, we will continue to have a peaceful and stable world economy.

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More dirty tricks and black propaganda will continue to hound some politicians seeking elective positions in the May 9 election. They are part of the game, whether they like it or don’t.

If they aren’t ready and will allow themselves to be provoked and pissed off, they lose in the psychological warfare.

Every now and then we will continue to receive reports that a certain politician—incumbent and/or challenger—“is a victim of a food delivery scam” among other laughable tricks, like what happened recently to reelectionist Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Trenas.

If it’s not election time and there’s no ongoing campaign period, pranksters wouldn’t waste their time and energy to launch such irritating tactic meant to give their targets embarrassment and inconvenience, and nothing else.

Some local and national candidates in the coming election who are not doing well in the surveys are getting desperate and will just think of bizarre activities to harm their rivals. 

These abnormal things actually don’t happen only in the Philippines; and such is the behavior manifested by losers and those being eaten up by negative energy. 

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Are they still relevant nowadays? I’m referring to spiritual groups like the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which recently appealed to candidates, their parties and supporters to ensure that the elections in May will be clean, honest and peaceful.

In a recent pastoral letter, the CBCP through its president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David also called on Filipinos to actively participate in the upcoming polls and to express themselves in a "just, respectful and peaceful manner."

Every election, we heard the same appeal and admonition yet, we continued to experience violent and fraudulent elections; and we continued to elect mediocre, thugs, ruffians, jokers, and circus players into office.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)

Would Defensor and Treñas endorse Robredo without Drilon?

 “We would all like to vote for the best man but he is never a candidate.”

—Kin Hubbard

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

UNLIKE Iloilo Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. and Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas, most local government unit (LGU) chief executives in the country still haven’t revealed their choices for president and vice president in the May 9, 2022 Philippine election.

Out of respect or fear for President Rodrigo Duterte, many of these LGU chief executives must be thinking “it’s still premature” to declare their preferences until after the final substitution of candidates on November 15.

Despite her repeated denials, there are still speculations that Duterte’s daughter, Sara Carpio, mayor of Davao City, will run for vice president under standard bearer, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in the eleventh hour.

This gives some LGU chief executives the jitters.

If some of them will be in a hurry to endorse presidential candidates other than (or without waiting for the possible) Marcos-Carpio tandem, they might “earn Malacanang’s ire” and lose the pelfs and privileges during the campaign period. 

Like in the previous elections in the Philippines, incumbent governors and mayors who supported the administration candidates always received favors or special treatment for their “cooperation and loyalty.”

 

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Because of their relationship with opposition senator Franklin “Frank” Drilon, among other obvious reasons, Malacanang wouldn’t be surprised that Treñas and Defensor endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo.

Other than their personal friendship with Robredo (both Defensor and Treñas were the vice president’s former colleagues in the House of Representatives), Western Visayas has been known traditionally to be the bailiwick—but not the exclusive turf—of the opposition.

There were other possible principal factors why Defensor and Treñas couldn’t support Marcos aside from Drilon: Defensor’s father, former Governor Arthur “Art” Sr., was a key opposition stalwart as assemblyman in the defunct Batasang Pambansa when Bongbong’s late father, Ferdinand Sr., was president. 

Treñas’ late father, Efrain, was one of the country’s most respected and highly touted constitutional commissioners, who detested the strongman’s Martial Law rule in the 70’s.

Drilon’s involvement can only be accidental in the scenario. 

Even without the flamboyant senator from Molo district in Iloilo City, Treñas and Defensor would most certainly still be endorsing Robredo.

 

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AS we all feared since two months ago, Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor, has been charged with a misdemeanor sex crime for allegedly groping a woman at the state's Executive Mansion last year.

It was reported that Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the state court system, has confirmed a misdemeanor complaint had been filed against Cuomo in a "sex crime" case in Albany City Court.

The complaint from the Albany County Sheriff's Office reportedly alleged that Cuomo committed the misdemeanor act of forcible touching at his official residence on the afternoon of Dec. 7 last year, between 3:51 p.m. and 4:07 p.m.

"At the aforesaid date time and location the defendant Andrew M. Cuomo did intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose, forcibly place his hand under the blouse shirt of the victim [redacted] and into her intimate body part. Specifically, the victims (sic) left breast for the purposes of degrading and gratifying his sexual desires, all contrary to the provisions of the statute in such case made and provided," read the complaint.

The complaint reportedly cited evidence including cell phone records, state Capitol swipes, state police records and text messages from Cuomo's cell phone, while also pointing to some findings listed in New York Attorney General Letitia James' report, released Aug. 3 o a week before Cuomo announced he would be resigning.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo—Ed)

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Treñas didn’t do a Tom Cruise

“Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.” —Aristotle

By Alex P. Vidal

 

UNLIKE Hollywood actor Tom Cruise who erupted at crew members on the set of Mission: Impossible 7 over a breach of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) protocols, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas didn’t berate city officials who neglected the physical distancing rule during the distribution of financial aid at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on December 15.

Treñas actually couldn’t crack the whip on the erring city officials because he was also present when the supposed protocol violations happened.

Cruise’s outburst occurred in an apparent effort to prevent further disruptions to a film whose production has already been delayed by the pandemic.

“We are creating thousands of jobs,” Cruise, 58, the star of the film, can be heard saying in a leaked audio clip littered with expletives. “I don’t ever want to see it again! Ever! And if you don’t do it, you’re fired!”

Cruise, Thomas Cruise Mapother IV in real life, had been speaking to members of the Mission: Impossible 7 crew about a breach in COVID-19 protocols on the set in London.

 

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The actor, one of the highest-paid in the world, apparently became enraged after spotting two crew members standing together at a computer screen in violation of an on-set rule requiring people to stand about two meters apart, it was reported. 

Sources did not indicate when the recording of Cruise had been made. Reuters has reported that the film-makers for Mission: Impossible 7 the latest installment in the 24-year-old series – arrived in London this month.

Treñas reportedly admitted he was part of the city officials who may have violated the social distancing guidelines in the ceremony but insisted “it was unintentional.”

The violations were spotted after the photo was posted on Facebook showing Treñas and the aldermen disregarding the one-meter physical distancing measure.

The mayor reportedly claimed “they sometimes forgot” about the protocol but explained he has been consistently reminding the public about it. 

He agreed that physical distancing and other health protocols should always be properly observed “at all times” while there is a pandemic.

 

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Treñas and other city officials graced the distribution of financial assistance by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to 600 city residents.

He refused to call the event as mass gathering but vowed the incident won’t happen again.

If all of them were in the set of Cruise’ film, they would probably earn a mouthful of unprintable from the celebrated actor from Syracuse, New York.

The leaked audio was reportedly of Cruise addressing about 50 staff members at a Warner Bros film-production complex in Leavesden, north west of London. 

The actor wore a mask on the set and had been personally enforcing COVID-19 rules, an effort to prevent further delays in shooting, it was learned.

Cruise told the crew in the leaked clip that the production was the “gold standard” for Hollywood and that he had been speaking with studios, producers and insurance companies who were all “looking at us and using us to make their movies.” 

He said he would not accept any apologies for what had happened on the set, an apparent reference to the breach in COVID-19 protocol. “You can tell it to the people that are losing their homes because our industry is shut down,” Cruise said, adding an expletive. “It’s not going to put food on their table or pay for their college education.”

New York Times reported that the sixth film in the series, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, was released in 2018 and took in $791 million in global ticket sales. 

It was also filmed in Europe, among other places, and its production was delayed after Cruise reportedly broke his ankle while performing a stunt in which he slams into the side of a building.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

 

 

 

 

Elect Drilon as president if we want a mega bridge

 “Any man who wants to be president is either an egomaniac or crazy.”—Dwight D. Eisenhower

 By Alex P. Vidal

 

COVID-19 pandemic will always be a convenient and, perhaps, the most “justifiable” excuse if the Duterte administration will not implement the construction of the ambitious Iloilo–Guimaras–Negros–Cebu Link Bridge while the Filipinos struggle to overcome the coronavirus tragedy and the government prioritizes the grand plan to rescue the slumping economy.    

In other words, the mega bridge, with a total length of 4,000 m (13,000 ft) (Phase I); 12,000 m (39,000 ft) (Phase II); 8,000 m (26,000 ft) (Phase III) that crosses the Iloilo Strait (Phase I); Guimaras Strait (Phase II); Tañon Strait (Phase III), might never be realized under President Duterte’s centerpiece program, “Build! Build! Build! (BBB) Program”, that aims to usher the “Golden age of infrastructure” in the Philippines until the next administration takes over, or until the COVID-19 pandemic will cease to be the Filipinos’ nightmare.

In any given situation, major concerns like the well-being and health of the people will always be the top priority by any government.

The funds needed to purchase the vaccines are more urgent and important, and the funds set aside for the mega projects can be sacrificed, if necessary, to pave the way for survival of the people. 

 

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The mammoth project that will involve four big islands: Panay, Guimaras, Negros, Cebu might not be totally shelved, but it won’t certainly be in the front seat of the government’s infrastructure programs next year even if a budget had already been set aside as confirmed by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which had announced the timetable for the project’s groundworks as early as 2018.

Even if President Duterte were from Panay or Negros, he still couldn’t force the issue because his hands were tied and the sudden turn of events was beyond his control.

In this idiosyncratic circumstance where everything is still unpredictable, the President can bring the horse to the river, but can’t force it to drink the water.  

Coronavirus has almost become a universal catastrophe, not just a Philippine affair.  

The Philippine economy actually ranked among the best performers in Asia before the pandemic. 

 

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Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic Development Authority (Neda) chief Ernesto M. Pernia said they are well underway to covering most of the items in the new list of flagship projects — airports, bridges, highways and other ports, water ports and seaports. Mr. Duterte’s managers have reportedly expanded the “Build, Build, Build” pipeline, which now includes more than 100 big-ticket infrastructure projects.

If Ilonggos and Cebuanos really wish to expedite the construction of the mega bridge in 2022 when Mr. Duterte has exited, all they need is to elect Senator Franklin Drilon as president.

A President Drilon can fast-track the implementation of such gargantuan project—only if there will be no more pandemic, or if the people will no longer need the vaccines to be purchased by the Philippine government starting 2021, and which will eat up a large chunk of the national budget and gobble up the funds intended for other state expenditures depending on the COVID-19 pandemic’s length of destruction to the human lives.

 

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A President Drilon, who is a true-blooded Ilonggo, won’t allow a situation where he will be accused of ningas cogon if he can’t begin his charity at home, so to speak, once he occupies the top Malacanang portfolio. 

Even if he’s only a legislator, Drilon has successfully transformed Iloilo City as the new Singapore in terms of infrastructure development and tourism; he is now a cinch away from masterminding Iloilo City’s giant leap from a fastest-growing economy to become the mecca of trade and investment in collaboration with Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Trenas and the Iloilo Business Club, among other stakeholders.

In the recent Iloilo Investment Forum at Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo in Mandurriao district, Iloilo City, Drilon disclosed that he had proposed a budget of P800 million for the construction of the North Iloilo River Avenue. 

The big project will be a four-lane, 5.5-kilometer thoroughfare complete with an esplanade and a bike lane, according to the senator. From Molo district, and will lead to the Megaworld Boulevard.

It is expected to provide better access for the development of the Municipality of Oton as part of Metro Iloilo.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, is a former editor of two dailies in Iloilo, Philippines)

 

 

End the skirmish

“Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.”

—William James

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE expect the word war in the social media between Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. to stop right away.

Let’s put it this way: Teddy Boy fired the first shot; Treñas retorted. 

You hit me, I hit you back. A tit for a tat.

Emotions were high because of the tension caused by the pandemic; there’s no need to prolong the discord.   

We are confident Locsin will no longer make any follow up of his negative remarks against the city mayor supposedly for “blaming” his constituents while appealing to downgrade Iloilo City’s status from MECQ to GCQ.

After they have released their emotions, both gentlemen are now expected to behave like statesmen.

We also appeal to the supporters of Treñas to refrain from fanning the feud with unnecessary and corrosive comments in the social media so as not to exacerbate the misunderstanding between the two highly respected government officials. 

Conflicts or verbal wars will distract our leaders from their jobs as public servants; COVID-19 is too serious to be set aside for an energy-sapping joust just to prove who’s the macho man.        

Treñas has spoken. 

He was peeved by that unceremonious tirade; it’s but proper the city mayor gave the foreign affairs boss his comeuppance. 

Move on, everyone.

 

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A Filipino-American chess player from Woodside, Queens in New York City said he was surprised to receive in a direct bank deposit an additional $900 from the New York State’s Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program on September 25.

Martin, 56, a native of Iloilo City, Philippines, said he thought the $900 he received early this month was the last money from the government funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“I earlier received a total of $900 or $300 each representing three weeks for the month of August after I made a certification with the Department of Labor for my LWA,” explained Martin, a former jeepney driver in Calumpang, Molo district in Iloilo City. “May ara pa gali nga additional $900. Thank you Lord.”

From first week of August to September 25, Martin netted a total of $1,800 from the FEMA through the federal government as part of the executive order (EO) signed by President Donald Trump when congress failed to pass a bill in August that would extend the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) of millions of unemployed Americans as a result of the COVID-19.

 

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Martin, who lost his job in a restaurant after the lockdown here in March, is one of the more than 20 million Americans who received $600 a week from April to July on top of the $400 a week from the New York State under the PUA.

Before the two $900 (a total of $1,800) came, Martin collected more or less $16,000 from April to July under PUA.

“Pero wala ko naga salig nga mag sigi sigi ini. Ga obra gid ko ya, ga paninlu ko balay bisan under the table lang,” he said. “The pandemic is unpredictable. What if I will be out of work until next year if the pandemic will prolong?”

President Trump signed into law the CARES ACT on March 27, 2020 that gives states the option of extending unemployment compensation to independent contractors and other workers who are ordinarily ineligible for unemployment benefits.

“I promised my relatives in the Philippines that I would share my stimulus money to them if it’s available. Now, I can make many of them smile,” said Martin.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)

 

 

 

 

Treñas could ‘TikTok’ Garin’s brilliancy on OFWs

“Welcome those big, sticky, complicated problems. In them are your most powerful opportunities.”

—Ralph Marston

By Alex P. Vidal

TO wiggle out from the mess created by the recent controversial arrival of the seafarers from Manila, Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas should have “TikToked” Guimbal Mayor Oscar “Oca” Garin’s brilliant move in welcoming the arriving OFWs in their municipality.

Before everything else turns topsy turvy, Garin informed Iloilo Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. in a letter dated May 2, 2020 they have identified the Guimbal National High School as their Community Quarantine Area for the returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

“The LGU has also established our Community Quarantine Committee to oversee and monitor the area and the status of the OFWs,” Garin wrote Defensor.

“Furthermore, LGU Guimbal will strictly adhere to the protocols relative to the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine for stronger protection against COVID-19.”

One thing can be sure now: when the OFWs arrive in Guimbal, they will be treated like returning sports heroes with amenities in their temporary shelter fit for vacationers.

Despite their notoriety in other areas of politics, the Garins have been known for their dyed-in-the-wool compassion, generosity and genuine “malasakit” (deep concern) for their own people.

It’s not the OFWs’ fault, wherever they came from prior to the #COVID-19 pandemic, if their leaders have soft hearts for the OFWs and the working class in general.

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If Treñas didn’t like Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda “intervention” in the job of the regional task force in the transfer of the 175 (35 were from Iloilo City) stranded seafarers from Manila to Iloilo, he could have tapped the Iloilo City National High School or the Iloilo City La Paz High School, two of the biggest temporary shelters for any batch of returning OFWs for the temporary quarantine area and, thus, avoided lashing out at the lady solon.

Like what Garin did in Guimbal.

The repatriated seafarers are now staying in a hotel in Iloilo City and Treñas has admitted the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration's (OWWA), which helped facilitate the OFWs’ transfer from Manila to Iloilo on April 29, weren’t sure which agency will pay for the hotel.

The hotel bills would have been waved if they were brought directly to any of the aforementioned national high schools.

But in spite of his efforts to attend to the needs of at least 100 quarantined seafarers, Treñas still recently got an earful from President Rodrigo R. Duterte who probably was fed with a wrong information that the city mayor had refused to welcome the returning OFWs amid the #COVID-19-induced lockdown.

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"I heard the news na sa city of Iloilo, hindi ninyo tinanggap ang mga OFW. Mayor, nakikiusap ako sa inyo na sundin lang ninyo 'yung guidelines. Sumunod kayo sa magandang paraan or pipilitin ko na sumunod kayo,” the President reportedly bewailed.

It turned out Treñas ordered the sending of food packs and hygiene kits to the seafarers May 1 after the OFWs had complained they didn’t have enough water and food supplies in the hotel where they were brought upon arrival for quarantine. 

"Together with the city government, we will take care of their meals. Our Uswag Kitchen Patrol headed by my wife (Rosalie) will be making their meals daily. Since they don’t have toiletries and groceries, we are providing them as well," Treñas vowed earlier.

In fairness, Treñas didn’t deserve the presidential admonition. 

It’s not in the nature of his character to reject, much less abandon the Ilonggo OFWs whose only “fault” was to come home in the time of coronavirus.  

Those who whispered a wrong information to Duterte owe Treñas an explanation and apology.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Mayor who knows how to accept error

“Honest error is to be pitied, not ridiculed.”

—Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield

By Alex P. Vidal

A good leader knows how to acknowledge a mistake and is not ashamed to admit it.

His finest moment is also defined by how he corrects his error and how he is able to reverse the fiasco without showing any morsel of arrogance to camouflage the slip-up. 

“Sometimes we make correct decisions, sometimes we make wrong decisions,” Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas admitted, referring to his recent unpopular decision April 21 to lift the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in Iloilo City through an executive order despite the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Apparently acknowledging that “the buck stops here” (popularized by U.S. President Harry S. Truman), the city mayor, realizing his “mistake”, issued a new EO "reimposing the express prohibition on the sale and consumption of liquor within the city” the next day.

The EO No. 066-A stated: "Effective immediately, the sale and consumption of any form of liquor, alcoholic beverages, or any alcoholic drink containing specific percentage of alcohol by volume or weight, which may be in the form of whisky, brandy, gin, rum, cordial, liquor, cocktail, wine, champagne, vermouth, basi, tuba, saki, ale, stout, and the like shall be absolutely prohibited, unless expressly lifted. Establishments, convenience stores, groceries, sari-sari stores, and other similar businesses who shall violate the prohibition on the sale of liquor, whether directly or indirectly, shall entitle the city government to mete out the appropriate penalties provided under the Iloilo City Tax Code."

Treñas later told reporters: "Abi ko didto malang sila sa ila sulod balay mainom-inom para mapabilin nga malinong kag matawhay ang syudad, pero I got a report nga kadamo sang insidente natabo. I found it very necessary nga ibalik naton ang ban. I am tasking our punong baragays and the BPLO (Business Permits and Licensing Office) to strictly implement this.”

If he was oozing with pride or intoxicated with arrogance, Treñas would just ignore the backlash of his ill-fated decision to lift the liquor ban.

It showed that the city mayor gamely welcomed the criticism from the media and other sectors that cried foul and lambasted the lifting order.

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Mao Zedong also realized his mistake in his disastrous attempt of the

“The Great Leap Forward” in 1958 bto rapidly industrialize China.

The communist leader banned all private holdings and created communes where peasants who no longer owned their own land would live together in a field and would be forced to work steel instead of farming. 

As Mao tried to improve farming through a number of misguided techniques set forth by Trofim Lysenko, each farm would be given a steel furnace and often every peasant in the commune was forced to work long hours. 

The techniques decreased grain production but local leaders were under so much pressure that they actually falsely reported large increases in grain production in order to please their superiors. Unfortunately, these numbers were used to determine how much grain was sent to the capital to be used for export, the false numbers meant little if any grain was left to feed the peasants.

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These and other polices of the Great Leap Forward are believed to be responsible for the Chinese Famine which resulted in the deaths of millions of Chinese. And 30 to 40 percent of all houses were also destroyed as part of the Great Leap Forward as the materials were needed for their efforts to industrialize. 

Even as Mao knew his people were starving, he continued to export grain in order to save face and some even claim he knew millions would die through his program but he thought it was a worthwhile sacrifice. The economy also failed as the period of the Great Leap (1958 – 1961) was the only time between 1953 and 1973 that the economy regressed. Officials who had lied about harvests were publicly executed and Mao took a backseat to government affairs for several years.  Liu Shaoqi said in 1962 that 30 percent of the economic crisis and famine was the result of nature and 70 percent human error.

President John F. Kennedy also realized he was wrong when he pushed with the disastrous Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba on April 15, 1961, where a squadron of eight B-26 bombers piloted by Cuban exiles roared down a Nicaraguan airstrip on a secret mission. 

Kennedy and the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) hoped the Bay of Pigs Invasion would result in the overthrow of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. 

But the operation that unfolded over the next five days became one of the greatest military fiascoes in American history.

Like Mao and Kennedy, Treñas accepted he erred like a sportsman who lost a game and won his succeeding matches.

At the end of the day, it’s the winning of the matches that the people will remember, not the lone defeat which was immediately “avenged” or redeemed.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Treñas may be ready to become president

“A noble leader answers not to the trumpet calls of self promotion, but to the hushed whispers of necessity.” 

—Mollie Mart

By Alex P. Vidal

THE true test of a good leader is shown by how he handles a big crisis, how he leads his people, how he absorbs their pain, how he finds a solution to shield them from imminent danger, and how far can he go to lift them from despondency.  

In the ongoing struggle of the Ilonggos in Iloilo City against SARS-CoV-2 or novel COVID-19, Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas has, so far, proven his leadership. 

From day one until it became apparent that the coronavirus problem would blossom into a grotesque bedlam, Treñas was in the front seat steering the wheel and marshaling the city hall’s forces and might to ensure that the residents of Iloilo City wouldn’t be neglected and forsaken.

And when he felt that the national government, in spite of the much-ballyhooed P275 billion emergency funds in the 2020 General Appropriations Act to be used to deal with the calamity, appeared to be dilly-dallying its assistance to the Ilonggos, he lit the candle instead of cursing the darkness.

Treñas appears to be more effective, credible, reliable and trusted compared to the national leadership in many aspects.

If he were the one handling the crisis on a national level, things would probably be different. 

There would be less politicking, less muckraking, less red tape, and people wouldn’t be complaining of discrimination in the distribution of goods and screaming unprintable at the national government.

With his impressive performance in handling the difficult situation,  Treñas can be ready to become our next president.

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Let’s review what he has done. 

Most recently, the city mayor tapped three pandesal companies, the Uygongco Flour Mill, Carlos Uy Corporation, and Angelina Bakeshop, to produce the popular bread so no one would go hungry while the city is under an enhanced community quarantine.

He hailed the three home-grown companies for their “sense of bayanihan.” 

The city promised to deliver around 43,000 pieces of “Ilonggo pandesal” to the residents of Iloilo City daily.

Treñas had earlier imposed a preventive enhanced community quarantine, established a community kitchens around the city to feed the constituents of each barangay, and made a plea for mass testing in Iloilo now being backed with financial support from rich local traders.   

Without waiting for help from the national government, Treñas established Iloilo City College as a temporary dorm for health care workers and other health workers helping curb the spread of COVID-19. He made sure that shuttle services were made available to the Ilonggo frontliners to transport them to their work places. 

Treñas also earned praises from various sectors when he helped amend the existing “anti-discrimination ordinance” to include a provision that forbids businesses from ostracizing individuals due to their jobs with the help of the city council led by Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.

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On March 20, Treñas imposed an enhanced community quarantine in Iloilo City through Executive Order 55-2020 as a preventive measure against the spread of the virus that has killed more than a million people around the world.

While there were chaos and confusion in other provinces and cities around the country, Treñas made these other accomplishments:

—collaboration with Iloilo Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. in calling on Cebu Pacific Airlines to suspend its direct flights from the Iloilo International Airport to Hong Kong, and vice versa, when the pandemic was killing more people in Wuhan and fast spreading China.

—tapping the scientists and medical professionals from the University of the Philippines Visayas alumni community to establish a local test center at the West Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Mandurriao district accredited by the Department of Health (DoH) which

Allotted 5,000 test kits together with The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

—receiving P15 million worth of donations in kind, from sacks of rice to canned goods and other food packs, all of which have been funneled to the city’s community kitchens and barangays for distribution. 

He may be doing more to help the Ilonggos even if the national government has extended the lockdown until April 30.  

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Twin killings jolt Dinagyang month

“When I hear about people murdering, I wonder, What has to go through your brain to say, I don't want him breathing anymore? What makes you get that angry? How can you take someone's breath away? That just blows my mind.”

—Gilbert Arenas

By Alex P. Vidal

IT’S so sad that one of the victims in last Sunday’s senseless killings in Iloilo City was Delfin “Del” Celestial Britanico, youngest son of former Iloilo assemblyman and Banat Partylist Rep. Salvador “Buddy” Britanico and Dr. Lita Celestial-Britanico.

According to a popular digital resume Linkedin, Del was the “Co-Head at Britlao Corp/Manager at KM Haulers Britlao Corp Ateneo de Manila University.”

What a waste of life; Del was not an ordinary Ilonggo. 

He was a productive and worthy member of society.

Del, a legitimate businessman, was highly regarded in his field and came from a very educated and well-respected family in Western Visayas.

In one of his articles posted online, Del narrated how he decided to leave “a great job at a stable company to a smaller organization or a start up.”

Del, a bike enthusiast, wrote that “I stayed in the new company for 2 years. I only disengaged because I had to settle down with family outside Manila. In those two years I could proudly say that the company grew tremendously. Being the small kid on the block or in our industry, we picked our battles. We found our own niche. Growth was so well that our suppliers brought us to their headquarters in the US. Looking back yes I missed on some benefits especially when the old company I used to work for was acquired by a foreign giant. I saw Facebook and Instagram posts of my former colleagues being sent around the world for trainings, etc. But deep inside, I was contended. I made an impact and I am proud of it. My involvement in that smaller company opened some doors in terms of business ventures which are already materializing now.”

What a short life for a great young entrepreneur and possibly a future leader in the industry he had chosen to be part of.

Our sincerest condolences to the Britanico and Celestial families.

-o0o-

MAYOR Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas has all the reason to be jittery after the twin killings in separate places in Iloilo City on Sunday, January 19, the day before the official countdown of the 2020 Dinagyang Festival week.

The crimes happened just after the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has assured the public it was beefing up the metropolis’ security measure to ensure a peaceful celebration of the Feast of Señor Santo Niño.

Treñas was apparently disturbed by the coincidence of the macabre murders of call agent Allen Muller, 42, at 12 noon in Brgy. Cuartero, Jaro district and businessman Delfin Britanico, 36, minutes later in Brgy. Nabitasan, La Paz.  

“Why they happened during the Dinagyang month when the whole world is watching us?” the city mayor must’ve wondered. 

Why all of a sudden two successive murders when Iloilo City’s peace and order has not been so alarming these past months? 

For sure the killers didn’t commit the crimes to embarrass the ICPO and Iloilo City, which is expecting a lot of tourists for the annual ati tribe competition this week.

-o0o-

“Of course we are worried. We have dignitaries coming. I don’t want incidents similar to Sunday’s to happen again,” Treñas bewailed.

The mayor was right.

All the efforts of his infant administration to attract visitors and potential investors through this once-a-year huge event would be jeopardized if peace and order was in dire straits.

Violence and brazen murders like what happened last Sunday could destroy the image of the “City of Love” which is now inching its way back to normalcy following the weird accusation from President Duterte that it was the “most shabulized” in the country.

In the month of January, Iloilo City competes with other Philippines cities, provinces and regions in terms of public attention owing to its colossal cultural and religious celebration now known in most countries all over the world.

Tourists and Santo Niño devotees regularly checked the Google and other Internet sites for the latest news about the popular festival and all they could read was about the killings.

We had chided  authorities or those in charge of implementing this administration’s wild and woolly anti-illegal drugs campaign not to sully the image of the Dinagyang Festival by the blood of victims of EJK or extra-judicial killings.

It appears our appeal turned out to be another voice in the wilderness.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)

Obey City Hall

"In city hall and in local government, you have to get things done without drama." 

-- Jim Gray

By Alex P. Vidal

WITH barely seven weeks to go before the Dinagyang Festival 2020 will unravel in Iloilo City, City Hall executive assistant for power Randy Pastolero is hard-pressed to help clear spaghetti wires and poles that obstruct major streets where the festival parade route will pass.
Obstructing poles and spaghetti wires are perhaps some of the worst elevated eye sores in the history of Iloilo City.
Pastolero was reportedly scheduled to take to task the Iloilo Utilities Group (IUG) composed of Panay Electric Company (PECO), telecommunication, and cable companies on November 26 to prioritize the removal of poles in the City Proper and La Paz even as Mayor Geronimo "Jerry" Treñas has given the PECO only until the end of the year 2019 to remove them all.
The time table given by the city mayor apparently was to ensure that everything will be in order and normal and Iloilo City's beauty won't be disfigured by the wires' ugly sight when the week-long annual religious and cultural festival unwraps in January 2020.

-o0o-

PECO and the telcos have been at loggerheads; they have been pointing an accusing finger at each other for the 254 and other poles identified by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the city streets.
Treñas won't take sides.
All he wants is to fix the problem, to cut and cut clean.
Pastolero's job is to coax both parties and agree to show that they belong and are willing to listen, cooperate and help; and that they should be part of the solution, not the problem.
Instead of prolonging the blame game, PECO and the telcos will have to drop their guns and stop sharpening their knives; they will have to listen to the siren of cooperation.
With dispatch and alacrity, they should obey City Hall and start hitting the ground running.
If they are able to remove the obstructions together sans mudslinging, people will credit them for cooperating with the City Hall and for "showing concern" for the welfare and safety of the public.

-o0o-

THERE'S nothing wrong if the press will criticize Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano for the mess in the ongoing 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) being hosted by the Philippines while the Games are in progress.
Cayetano's admirers and defenders decry that it's not good to wash our dirty linens in public while visitors, athletes, officials and other participants from other Southeast Asian nations are still here.
The visitors don't and won't give a damn how the host media make their reports.
This is how democracy works in the country. We don't curtail the press because the host country's top organizing official is the one being lambasted.
As chairman of the Philippines Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHILCOG), Cayetano, who loves to wear many hats, is accountable for all the lackluster preparations, including the alleged shenanigans in the construction of sports facilities.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)