Premature campaign soliloquy

“Never do today what you can do tomorrow. Something may occur to make you regret your premature action.” Aaron Burr

By Alex P. Vidal

THE constant power blackouts experienced by residents of Iloilo City these past weeks didn't augur well with the metropolis’ forthcoming hosting of the two Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings in September and October this year.

In 1993, when the Panay Electric Company (PECO) sought for a renewal of its franchise for another 25 years, a feisty cooperative group threatened to block PECO’s application if it could not assure the local consumers of a sustained and uninterrupted power supply for the next 25 years.

The cooperative group’s swashbuckling opposition came to a screeching halt when the power firm’s application for renewal of franchise went on a smooth sailing in the Iloilo City Council and in the House of Representatives.

Now that Iloilo City is in the thick of preparation for the important international confabs, PECO is giving the Ilonggos legitimate reasons to be jittery by the off and on power blackouts.

-o0o-

IT’S very apparent that June Mondejar is using his power and privilege as a member of the Iloilo Provincial Board to get undue advantage in his vitriol against Iloilo second district Rep. Arcadio “Cadio” Gorriceta.

If Mondejar did not reveal his intention to run against Gorriceta in 2016, people would not suspect that he was already launching a premature campaign assault to disparage the neophyte congressman from Pavia, Iloilo.

In his privilege speech on Tuesday’s regular session of the Iloilo Provincial Board, Mondejar scored Gorriceta for claiming credits in the implementation of various infrastructure projects in the second district of Iloilo by placing his name on the billboards.

Mondejar, a former mayor of New Lucena, bewailed: “When the old box culvert at Sayang, Baclayan in New Lucena was replaced with new box culvert with a bigger cross-sectional area, there was a printed name of a congressman. People believe or agree that it is his project because of the billboard. But, is it really his project? What effort did he exert so that this project was implemented on that part of the second district? Do not lie. Be honest.”

Since the speech was neither an expose involving an anomalous transaction and misuse of public funds, nor an inquiry on questionable deals “in aid of legislation”, Mondejar’s speech sounded like a premature campaign soliloquy.

If Gorriceta will also use his privilege hour in congress to blast Mondejar as a tit-for-tat, public service will derail.

If Mondejar wants to devote his time attacking his future rival for a congressional seat in the second district of Iloilo, he must resign as a board member and buy a radio blocktime program at a risk of electioneering.

A privilege speech in any legislative body—local or national--should not be wasted and exploited to launch a political assault and promote a political agenda.

-o0o-

  

ILOILO provincial administrator, Dr. Raul Banias, is reportedly being prepared to spoil former Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Oscar “Oca” Garin Sr’s bid to become vice governor in 2016.

No serious contender against Gov. Arthur “Art” Defensor Sr. has been spotted in Iloilo’s gubernatorial radar in 2016 except, perhaps, perennial loser Toto Serapio Camposano (Independent).

Thus all eyes are in 2019 when Defensor will be prevented by the constitution from seeking a fourth term.

The hypothesis is that Defensor will walk away unscathed for his third and last term in 2016.

As a matter of strategy, anyone who wants to be remembered by voters in 2019 must secure a mandate in 2016 as the next three years will be crucial for name recall.

Garin Sr., an astute political strategist, must have anticipated this.

He is aware that former Iloilo fourth district congressman, Dr. Ferjenel Biron, has been patiently waiting for Defensor’s three terms to expire in 2019 and shoot for the slammer.

If Garin Sr. won’t make his move earlier, the well-rested and well-oiled Biron will decimate him.

Garin has been reportedly trying to inch his way to Defensor’s graces in a hope to secure the dream Defensor-Garin tandem in 2016.

If he wins as vice governor, Garin will be a breath away from the office of the governor.

As Vice Governor Garin, he will have leverage over his rivals, including Biron, for governor in 2019.

But it appears Defensor isn’t yet ready for a political marriage with Garin Sr. although they both belong in the Liberal Party.

The grapevine says Defensor is eyeing Banias, not Garin Sr. as his runningmate in 2016.

Ilonggos face moral bankruptcy with STL’s surge

“Disappointment is a sort of bankruptcy-the bankruptcy of a soul that expends too much in hope and expectation.” 
                                                                          Eric Hoffer

By Alex P. Vidal

GAMBLING–legal or illegal—should not be used as a weapon to fight poverty.

There are many ways to combat poverty.

Number one is population control.

A bloated population means more mouths to be fed.

Less people means less problems on malnutrition; less problems on shortage of food production; less problems on housing; less problems on employment and other social services.

The government won’t be over-burdened.

Inviting investors to build factories; encouraging small-scale businesses; and pushing for income-generating programs and activities that provide employment opportunities.  

But not gambling.

Gambling corrupts both the poor and the rich.

It corrupts those in political power absolutely as they stand to benefit once we allow gambling like small town lottery (STL) to be legalized in Iloilo province.

Poverty can’t be solved overnight.

We are supposed to embrace the value of hard work if we want to rise in the economic ladder, and not to depend on numbers game.

STL, when legalized, can provide employment for those who solicit bets, but it will eat up the moral fiber of Ilonggos, who will only rely their luck-or even next meals-in the game of chance.

Since they expect to win an instant lump sum of cash for a small bet by the stroke of luck, Ilonggos will become head-over-heels with STL.

MANNA

They will only wait for the manna from heaven, thus they will end up lazy and won’t dream big beyond earning via easy money schemes.

Gambling will also teach Ilonggos to become subservient to politicians or those who advocated for the removal of any barrier to make it legal.

Gambling or the legalization of STL will also send a wrong signal to the younger generation.

When our own leaders are the ones pushing for gambling, it means it’s not evil per se; it means whether it is moral or immoral depends on the interpretation or choice of our leaders.

The church has been consistent on its stand against any form of gambling, much less any move to provide it with a legal structure.

We expect the church to make a solid stand once the provincial board of Iloilo will pass a resolution to give the governor’s office the green signal in favor of the legalization of STL.

We already have so many legalized gambling operations in the country.

LOTTO

Online-lotto under the auspices of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PSCO) is one of them.

But life of the Filipinos has not improved.

Many still live under the poverty belt.

Crime rate is still blamed on overpopulation, unemployment and lack of economic opportunities for qualified job-seekers.

The number of poor has not been reduced.

Despondent heads of families will no longer dream big and will be hooked on the legalized gambling for instant relief from the rigors of life.

In STL, only the politicians and police will stand ten feet tall, not the members of the hoi polloi.

It will not ensure an instant food on the table for bettors; it will not ensure an instant tuition fee for the students; it will not ensure a better life for Ilonggos as a whole.

Ilonggos will suffer from moral and even spiritual bankruptcy.

Gallar a pawn in STL saga?

“I can't speak on behalf of the show. I'm not a creator; I'm just a pawn.”  Randy Harrison

By Alex P. Vidal

THE main reason why small town lottery (STL) was not legalized in the province of Iloilo is because then Gov. Neil D. Tupas Sr. was against illegal gambling per se.

Under Tupas, STL was never a serious topic. 

It's a taboo.

Tupas would pay attention to anyone who visited his office and even his house in Hechanova, Jaro district, Iloilo City but would sneer at those who would convince him to support gambling operation in the province.

Although the provincial board had passed a resolution interposing no objection to the operation of STL in the province, it met a major snag due to Tupas’ lackadaisical attitude.

No one could fathom why Tupas, who reigned from 2001 until 2010, was so allergic to gambling.

On several occasions, Tupas gave cold shoulder treatment to liaisons of gambling operators lobbying for the STL in the province.

Reports that Tupas “nixed a monthly payola” from illegal gambling operators were confirmed by the most diligent factotum of Bogart, one of Iloilo’s most powerful and most influential illegal gambling operators.

“Sakit sa ulo na si gob (Tupas). Ka tig a gid. (It’s hard to convince Governor Tupas. He is really hard),” the diligent factotum grumbled.

The grapevine was so loud at that time that as long as Tupas was the governor, there’s no way for STL or any gambling activity to prosper, much less be legalized in the province.

LIGHT

Under the administration of Gov. Arthur “Art” Defensor Sr., gambling or STL found light at the end of the tunnel, finally.

In fact, Defensor is himself pushing to allow STL in the province in order to solve the problems brought by its clandestine operations.

The governor’s ally in the provincial board, Manny Gallar, has started the ball rolling.

In the recent regular session of the provincial board, Gallar sponsored a resolution pushing for legalization of STL.

Gallar’s move came in the heels of former Iloilo first district congressman Oscar “Oca” Garin’s Sr. saber-rattling that some municipal mayors and police chiefs in his district were receiving protection racket from illegal gambling operators.

Interestingly, Garin’s only son, Rep. Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr., acting as chair of the committee as a whole, introduced the board resolution in 2010 when the latter was still the vice governor.

Garin Jr’s committee in 2010 held public consultations and concluded that “the operation of STL in the province will not contribute in cultivating a culture of immoral gambling among the Ilonggos; the societal value of STL as a tool to eradicate jueteng, an illegal numbers game, may be enhanced by allowing its operations, and from the standpoint of government as the primary agency charged with addressing the needs of its people, it can be prudently argued that the funds generated from STL appear to promise available resources for a more responsive and effective delivery of basis services to its constituents.”

CHARITY

STL charity fund sharing scheme suggested that the host city or municipality gets the biggest slice of the STL revenue share at 10 percent. 

Capitol and the PNP will get five percent apiece.

Each of the five districts of Iloilo will earn 2.5 percent.

With Defensor’s imprimatur, Gallar’s resolution is expected to have a smooth sailing.

Gambling proponents think now is the right time to step up the campaign to legalize STL because of the apparent harmonious relationship between Defensor and the provincial legislature.

No feud means no opposition. 

No check and balance?

When he was still anchorman of Bombo Radyo Iloilo, Gallar lambasted illegal gambling operations in the city and province in his early morning radio program.

He was fearless and consistent in his anti-illegal gambling commentaries.

As a provincial board member, Gallar now advocates for STL’s legalization.

A 360-degree turn for the diminutive politician from Cabatuan, Iloilo.

He must only be a pawn in this saga.

  

Garin’s nitpicking: No names, no glory

“We can't have full knowledge all at once. We must start by believing; then afterwards we may be led on to master the evidence for ourselves.” Thomas Aquinas

By Alex P. Vidal

THE so-called “bombshell” uncorked by former Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator Oscar “Oca” Garin Sr. against several unnamed municipal mayors and police chiefs in the first district of Iloilo who supposedly “received” a regular payola or protection money from illegal gambling operators, was a dud.

Because Garin didn’t name names and failed to show the Provincial Board even a tiny piece of paper or document that contains his evidence, he only succeeded in besmirching the reputations of the municipal mayors and the police chiefs in that district.

Such a sweeping statement was uncalled for and wasn’t expected from someone of Garin’s stature.

What Garin said during the Provincial Board’s out-of-town session in Guimbal, Iloilo on January 27 can be considered as hearsay or unverified, unofficial information gained or acquired from another and not part of one's direct knowledge.

It can be dismissed as a saber-rattling by a powerful political personality with agenda he alone knows.  

It was the kind of “information” we all regularly hear from the gossip mills.

It was the kind of gossip we regularly hear from the kapehan and barber shops.

Nothing was new.

KNOWLEDGE

It’s public knowledge that gambling and other illegal activities exist.

It’s common knowledge that some cops (not just their superior officers), public officials (not just municipal mayors), and even some media personalities (bogus and active) are “on the take.”

But because we lack the evidence or we don’t have sufficient information to back it up, we don’t say it in formal sessions; we can’t just slander anyone and get away with it.

Laura is a known prostituted woman because she accommodates male clients for sex for livelihood.

That’s a common knowledge in the neighborhood.

But nobody saw Laura having sex and receiving money from the male clients.

No client made a sworn statement that he went to bed with Laura.

If we announce in public that Laura is a prostitute, we’ll end up in jail if Laura files a slander or oral defamation case.

According to some lawyers, “truth is not a defense in a libel case.”

Going back to Garin, a former congressman who is the acknowledged patriarch of politics in the first district of Iloilo, his allegations were bereft of merits if presented in a formal court.

COURT

In the court of public opinion where politicians bring their cases attended usually by pomposity and blunderbuss, “crusader” Garin is a hero.

When we fight the devil, we don't need to convince the public of our casus belli or case for war.

Municipal mayors and police chiefs who felt alluded to in the “expose” and who think they were unjustly crucified, can always run after Garin in a formal complaint (granting they have the guts to collide with this political demigod).

But still, Garin can easily wiggle out from any legal trouble because, in the first place, he didn’t name names.

No one can coerce him to confess his sources and specify his facts–unless he is being tried by the Catholic Inquisition.

A witty and grizzled politician for 30 years, Garin can easily attract media attention even if he will claim that a stray dog has bitten him.

Never mind if it was not him who bit the stray dog.

In the court of justice, Garin’s nitpicking will collapse.

Malones has the last laugh

“Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” George S. Patton

By Alex P. Vidal

IN soccer, they call it a “hat-trick” or a head goal.

In stopping the suspension order against him, embattled Maasin Mayor Mariano Malones scored a hat-trick against the Iloilo Provincial Board and his political enemies who have written him off as early as September this year.

Malones was found guilty of simple misconduct by the Iloilo Provincial Board with a penalty of suspension for three months over the administrative case filed by an illegally terminated assistant human resource officer of the Maasin municipal government last September.

He filed an appeal before the Office of the President in Malacanang which "stayed" his suspension.

Signed by Deputy Executive Secretary Michael G. Aguinaldo, the order stated: “Pursuant to Section 9 of Administrative Order No. 22 series of 2011, the execution of the assailed Resolutions is hereby stayed.”

Since the order presented to the Iloilo Provincial Board was a certified copy, Vice Governor Raul Tupas said they will wait for the official transmission of the order from Malacanang.

STAY

The order meant Malones would stay in his office and the suspension order is either held in abeyance or terminated.

Whatever it is, Malones has scored a moral and psychological victory against his adversaries.

The rescue order from Malacanang also proved that the local legislature does not have absolute power to rule against or in favor of local elected officials facing administrative cases.

That it is not yet end of the world for any local chief executive found guilty of simple or even serious misconduct. 

Because there is still a big brother somewhere out there for the rescue. 

When the Iloilo Provincial Board meted the suspension order on Malones, only two members voted against the resolution: Ninfa Garin and Dennis Valencia, all from the first district of Iloilo.

Two others abstained: Licurgo Tirador (third district) and Shalene Palmares-Hidalgo (fourth district).

In the 2016 elections, Malones, one of the most influential and strongest political leaders in the third district of Iloilo, will definitely remember their names.

And the names of those who voted to suspend him.

-o0o-

Unlike former congressmen Salvador “Badong” Cabaluna Jr.(partylist) and Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco (Iloilo second district) who were overexposed in media before Iloilo second district Rep. Arcadio “Cadio” Gorriceta trounced them in the 2013 congressional elections, Iloilo Board Member June Mondejar is considered as wet-behind-the-ears in as far as bigger political battles are concerned.

Mondejar, younger brother of former TESDA Regional Director Buen or “Bokbok”, was municipal mayor of New Lucena for three terms and was never in the limelight in all the years of his muted political career.

Until he announced he would challenge Gorriceta in 2016.

Even outside the second district of Iloilo, curious Ilonggos were now starting to talk about Mondejar, not because they were familiar with the youthful-looking board member, but because they were startled by his guts to disclose his political plans at the time when no one was discussing about politics.

But now that the cat is out of the bag, Mondejar’s moves will now be monitored and misconstrued as part of his preparatory steps for a possible showdown with Gorriceta, the best friend of Senate President Franklin Drilon.

-o0o-

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog suspended classes in elementary and secondary levels both in public and private schools yesterday (November 27) afternoon due to heavy downpour brought by typhoon Queenie.

“Despite that the water level of iloilo river & creeks are still within n0rmal level and water level inside iloilo city natl hi sch minimal and also All roads and bridges are passable & No evacuees reportd. Upon the advise of Mr. Darwin Papa that Typhoon Queenie is gaining strength and may hit ground this pm, together with Schools Division Superintendent Nelly Valerio, I Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, Mayor of Iloilo City under the General Welfare Act do hereby declare the suspension of classes in all elementary and secondary levels for both public and private schools in the afternoon of today November 27, 2014. Classes for College level depends on their respective school heads,” Mabilog wrote in his Facebook account.

Garin, Valencia ‘no’ votes reek of 2016

“Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.” Alexander Hamilton

By Alex P. Vidal

We don’t kick a person who is already down and politics is addition.

These could be the two wisdom or schools of thoughts behind the nay votes registered by Iloilo first district board members Ninfa Garin and Dennis Valencia during the voting September 15 whether to uphold the decision of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) committee of the whole to suspend Maasin Mayor Mariano Malones.

The committee found Malones “guilty of simple misconduct” and slapped him with a three-month suspension last September 8.

This was in connection with the complaint filed by dismissed Maasin municipal assistant human resources officer, Elsa Maternal.

When the committee report was tackled for approval, only Garin and Valencia voted not to uphold it.

Those who voted to uphold the committee findings suspending Malones were board members Demetrio Sonza, June Mondejar, Carmen Rita Monfort-Bautista, Emmanuel Gallar, Jesus Salcedo, Jeneda Salcedo-Orendain, Paulino Pari-an and Niel Tupas III.

INHIBIT

Those who inhibited from the voting were board members Licurgo Tirador and Shalene Palmares-Hidalgo.

We have a message for Tirador and Palmares-Hidalgo: The hottest place in hell is reserved for those who refuse to make a stand in times of great moral or political conflict.

While we respect their stand, we find it illogical for Tirador and Palmares-Hidalgo to remain neutral since the provincial board had already approved the committee findings and all that was needed was for them to uphold or reject it.

Neutrality has no place in the committee findings voting.

Meanwhile, other reason for Garin’s and Valencia’s no votes could be political.

Garin’s husband, Oscar Sr., is rumored to be eyeing the gubernatorial post in 2016.

They can’t afford to relinquish the vote-rich Maasin as well as the other towns in the third district where Malones is popular.

When they cast their votes last September 15, Garin and Valencia probably were looking beyond Malones’ suspension.

Malones now owes them a “debt of gratitude” and any payback, if ever the votes had political strings attached, will be settled in the 2016 elections.

Since Malones’ suspension is only for three months, he will still be there when Oscar Garin Sr., or any member of the Garin dynasty, will woe the voters of the third district in 2016.

FEARS

Also, there are fears that Malones’ feud with Board Member Manny Gallar might escalate.

Malones may have lost the provincial board war but the battle with Gallar isn’t yet over.

Before the provincial board rendered a verdict last September 9, Malones and Gallar were locked in a heated verbal tussle with the mayor accusing the board member of maintaining “ghost employees.”

Malones could not forgive his former political ally for supposedly influencing his fellow board members to decide against the mayor’s favor, an accusation vehemently denied by Gallar.

The board members convened as a committee of the whole chaired by Vice Governor Raul Tupas to declare Malones “guilty of simple misconduct”.

The bigger battle is supposed to be Malones’ allegations of “ghost employees” against Gallar.

The accusation did not come from an outsider. It came from someone who knows where the bodies are buried, so to speak.

Malones is also a former board member and is familiar with the culture of hiring casual workers in the provincial board.

DISPUTE

Gallar has never categorically disputed Malones’ charges, but fired back at Malones by claiming that the mayor also had his own “ghost employees” in Maasin.

It appears that nobody from the provincial capitol is interested to tackle Malones’ allegations against Gallar.

Malones did not just whisper to any Tom, Dick and Harry his attacks. He announced them over radio RMN-Iloilo.

Did Malones accidentally unload a bombshell against the entire provincial board?
Tupas and the other board members should conduct a motu propio investigation on the “ghost employees” brouhaha so that the people will not think that they, too, are maintaining their own “ghost employees” and are deliberately playing deaf and blind on Malones’ muckraking.

Spare the girls, Mrs. Monfort-Bautista!

“Who would have known that this seed of innovation would grow, and carry to so many millions of kids who have participated since its creation? Little League, a simple idea has grown, multiplied and become an international institution.” Dave Winfield

By Alex P. Vidal

It’s been three weeks since our softball players from Zarraga, Iloilo came home from the 2014 Little League Softball (baseball) World Series in the United States, but the Iloilo provincial board, or any government agency for that matter, has not yet recognized their efforts and those of their coaches and mentors.

Although they failed to win the championships in Portland, Oregon last August 7-13 and in Kirkland, Washington last August 10-16, the girls, mostly below 18, ably represented the Asia Pacific Region despite coming for the twin tournaments late.

Because they forfeited their first matches, the softbelles finished by the wayside (not 10^th or last as we wrote earlier).

Delegation chief, Dr. Myrna Castillo, DepEd-Iloilo division superintendent, blamed the delay of their arrival in the United States to the late release of their visas.

Battling a jetlag, the girls immediately buckled down to work as soon as they arrived and wrapped up their remaining matches, it was learned.

Lady luck wasn’t on their side as they lost one game after another en route to a dismal campaign.

FAIL

Even if they failed to bring home any trophy or medal, the Ilonggo girls made us all proud as representatives of not only the Philippines but the entire Asia Pacific in the Little League World Series, which incidentally is on its 75^th year.

If they were Cubans, Chinese or Guamanians, the girls would have been given the red carpet welcome despite their dismal performances.

Even socialist and communist regimes like Fidel Castro’s Cuba celebrate the defeats of their athletes. 

No blaming game. No finger-pointing.

In the World Series, what counts most is the teams’ presence in the prestigious gathering of softball players—seniors and juniors—from Asia-Pacific, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Europe-Africa, Japan, Latin America, and Mexico.  

The teams’ participation is more of a commitment to promote and establish international goodwill, peace and camaraderie rather than counting of trophies and medals.  

The Zarraga girls and their coaches left and arrived in the Philippines in cognito. 

No frills and fusillades of publicity.

But instead of being cited for their gallantry, they or their coaches and other delegation members will be summoned for investigation in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) committee on youth and sports development.

FIASCO

Their trip, results of their matches and the composition of the official delegation are being tagged as a “sports fiasco.”

Board Member Carmen Rita Monfort-Bautista, the committee chair, has requested the committee on education to join the investigation.

We don’t know what is there to be investigated for, in the first place, since there was no taxpayers money involved in the girls’ trip, according to Dr. Castillo, who spearheaded the last-ditch efforts to solicit from private sources to raise funds.

DepEd officials and other non-playing team members spent their own money, added Dr. Castillo, saying they could not afford to skip the tournament or face suspension from the organizers next year.

Instead of passing a resolution to congratulate the girls and their coaches in order to lift their spirits, this is what Monfort-Bautista and her peers will give to our tired and weary World Series heroes.

Adding insult to the girls’ and the coaching staff’s injury.

PUSH

If the committee investigation will push through, it will send a wrong signal to our young baseball girls and other athletes.

They will think that their local officials have no love lost for them; they will feel abandoned and betrayed.

“Is this the price that we have to pay only because we failed to win the championship?” they might ask themselves.

Still basking in the glory and prestige of having played in a major international sports arena, the girls will end up demoralized if not emotionally and mentally terrorized.

Is this how we reward our returning athletes? Only in Iloilo. Only in the Philippines.