Election racket

 “Life is a racket. Writing is a racket. Sincerity is a racket. Everything's a racket.”

—Nick Tosches

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

MANY personalities who filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for various local and national positions in the May 9, 2022 Philippine election aren’t really serious about their candidacies.

They are those who don’t have the capacity to launch a widespread and scientific campaign either because they don’t belong in major political parties, or their names don’t ring a bell in as far as public awareness and recognition are concerned.

From the very beginning, they are aware they don’t have a chance to win, but they nonetheless continued to push through with their candidacies to show all and sundry they are “determined” to win.

These are characters who only want to raise money from political donors but don’t really intend to spend the largesse during the campaign period.

Win or lose, they will end up awash with cash, which is actually the primary purpose why they joined the race.  

In other words, they filed their COCs for fund-raising or to enrich themselves; winning or exerting major efforts to win isn’t in their radar and vocabulary. 

 

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This racket is also being practiced by some incumbent officials running for higher national positions, but who can still regain their seats prior to the election even if they lose. 

Legislators who intend to change certain provisions in the constitution on electoral reforms should zero in on this matter aside from the law on last-minute substitution, which recently became a major contention in the national debate after being abused by cunning and sleazy politicians.

Generous election campaign donors are normally businessmen and political patrons who consider their donations as “investment” for certain winnable candidates.

There are instances when campaign donors don’t give a damn if the candidates are winnable; they give paltry contributions to mediocre and unpopular bets and “wish them luck.” 

The candidates actually don’t get something out of nothing. There’s always a quid pro quo and both the givers and the receivers understand this tacit agreement.

This election racket must be nipped in the bud through legislation immediately after the 2022 election.

 

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NEW York Governor Kathy Hochul sent me another e-mail, which she also sent to other New Yorkers:

Alex, I'm very pleased to share that we hit a new vaccine milestone—75% of ALL New Yorkers have rolled up their sleeves to get at least one vaccine dose. 

With children age 5-11 now eligible, I know we can hit 80% soon. I had a chance to meet some of the young kids who have rolled up their sleeves—and I let them know that they are our superheroes in the fight against COVID.

 The holidays are coming and a great gift to your family, friends, and neighbors is your COVID-19 vaccine. If you haven't gotten your first dose yet, set up an appointment today. Let's dive in.

VACCINATE, EDUCATE, GRADUATE. Young kids might not be thinking about college yet, but we know parents are! 5-11 year-olds who get their vaccine can enter for a chance to win a full-ride scholarship to any SUNY or CUNY school. Parents & guardians can go online or call 1-833-697-4829 to enter.

 VAX FOR KIDS RESOURCES. Our Vax for Kids website gives parents all the information they need to make the decision to get their children vaccinated, and we're making it even better. New posters, graphics, certificates, and stickers are available for download now and will be in doctors' offices across the state soon.

We're launching a contest for parents and guardians to submit their child's vaccine sticker designs. Submit an image of your design to me (@GovKathyHochul) via social media, say where you're from and use the hashtag #NYVaxForKids. Lucky winners from across the state will be selected to be featured on our "I'm Vaccinated" stickers!

As of November 8, 2021, there are 1,878 New Yorkers hospitalized with COVID-19. Our 7-day percentage positivity average was 2.65%, which is up from 2.24% last week.

Per the CDC as of November 9, 2021, 88.5% of adult New Yorkers have at least one vaccine dose. So far, 27,863,643 total vaccine doses have been administered, and 62,550 doses were administered over the past 24 hours. 

Every week, we’re answering some commonly asked questions about COVID-19 and vaccinations.  You can submit a question for a chance to get your question answered in next week’s newsletter. Submit your question here.

QUESTION: Are booster shots available, if so, where? (Evone, Queens County)

ANSWER: There are now booster recommendations for all three COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States. The CDC and New York State Department of Health recommend that certain individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine get their “booster dose" at least six months after their initial series. These individuals include those who are 65 years and older and individuals who are 18 and older who live in long-term care settings, have underlying medical conditions, or who work or live in high-risk settings. Additionally, booster doses are recommended for all individuals 18 and older who received the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago. 

My friends, as we draw near the holiday season, let's keep looking out for one another and keep each other safe. We're making progress in our vaccination efforts and I hope that upward trend continues. Protect yourself and your loved ones and get vaccinated. Enjoy the rest of your week. Ever Upward, Governor Kathy Hochul

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

The daughter who cried wolf

 

“Bluffing is most effective when done sporadically; bluff too often, and you'll blow your credibility.”

--Daniel Negreanu

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IF she will be elected (her supporters have nothing to worry if she’s “late” because daddy knows best) as the next vice president in the May 9, 2022 Philippine election, how can the Filipinos trust Sara Duterte-Carpio now that she has become known as “the daughter who cried wolf?”

Can you trust a leader who changes her mind as often as she changes her hairstyle? 

Can you trust a politician who lied about her true intentions (“I will run for mayor today, I will withdraw my COC tomorrow and run for another position, or none at all, and so on and so forth”) even before the goings get tough?

In the tale The Boy Who Cried Wolf, a shepherd boy repeatedly tricked nearby villagers into thinking a wolf was attacking his flock. 

When a wolf actually did appear, the villagers did not believe the boy's cries for help because of his tainted credibility, and the flock was destroyed.

 

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Known in the political circle as Inday Sara, the mayor of Davao City has tainted her credibility--if she hasn’t lost it yet--when she recently withdrew her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for reelection as mayor of Davao City. 

The withdrawal, which wasn’t totally unexpected, came after she repeatedly and prominently made known to the public she wasn’t interested to run for a higher position other than for reelection in Davao City.

But it appears the withdrawal of her COC was somehow connected to November 15, the much-awaited deadline for substitution of candidates, where everyone has been waiting on tenterhooks.

The suspicion that Inday Sara is only at the beck and call of daddy and will do everything to please him in as far as the daughter’s political future is concerned, will be confirmed when vice presidential “candidate” Bong Go will also withdraw his COC on or before November 15, and pave the way for the daughter who cried wolf.

If they think they’re doing this “to confuse the enemy”, they’re dead wrong. No one is confused. They played chess like non-rated pawn pushers; all their plots were much-anticipated, and people were able to read their lips and body languages.

The script was poor, and this will disqualify them from the Famas award. 

 

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What a shame that Go has been apparently forced to participate in this film festival at the expense of his own credibility as an elected senator.

He and another charlatan, Senator Bato Dela Rosa, have been forced to perform as toy soldiers for The Boss, who simply regarded them as duck pins ready to be sacrificed and toppled in a back alley bowling game.  

Public servants with delicadeza and self respect would feel embarrassed now that the people were aware everything they did politically, they did it for daddy or The Boss, not because of what they wanted; not because of public interest, which should be the paramount consideration.

Amid the daddy-daughter-duck pins filmfest, there is an impending case in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeking to disqualify Inday Sara’s rumored future standard bearer, Bongit Marcos, because of past convictions in the trial court for non-payment of taxes.

In the event Bongbong will be disqualified, this will justify any attempt to elevate the daughter who cried wolf as the substitute presidential timber.

With daddy’s power and influence, it’s not far-fetched for the daughter who cried wolf to be “elected” as the next president. This possibility, of course, can only happen if Bongit is canned. 

If he wins (assuming he won’t be disqualified), Bongit will need to constantly watch his back from the would-be “elected” vice president daughter who cried wolf.

Can a next sitting president trust this kind of vice president?  

We can’t imagine a republic being directed by a daughter who cried wolf. She had cried, nay lied before and thought it’s normal even before becoming the second highest person in the land. She will cry, nay lie once more once she is in power.

Everything she does must have daddy’s imprimatur as a “debt of gratitude” or as “out of fear.”

If daddy has respect for the daughter who cried wolf, he will let her decide for herself, not to pull the strings for her.

Never mind the duckpins and ass-lickers. The film festival won’t be completed without the supporting actors.

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

 

 

 

 

Tongue twisters

 “'Twas but my tongue, 'twas not my soul that swore.”

--Euripides

 

By Alex P. Vidal 

 

BEFORE the advent of CCTV and high-tech cellphones, community and neighborhood crimes were hard to solve by the police, or mostly weren’t solved at all.

If there’s no evidence and witnesses, there’s no solution to the crime or crimes committed. 

If crimes were unsolved, there’s travesty of justice. 

The people’s trust and confidence in our law enforcement would be eroded if justice wasn’t served.

Today, even simple street brawls and altercations among drunken men, gangsters, drivers and pedestrians; hair-pulling and slapping tiffs among gossipers, housewives and vendors can be graphically captured and instantly uploaded on the social media for all the world to watch.

Those involved in the fracases became instant “celebrities” while perpetrators of crimes and violence were easily identified, rounded up in hot pursuit or follow up police operations, and prosecuted. 

It’s because of the mushrooming of CCTVs in the villages and the vigilance of netizens who recorded these crimes and violence that unraveled right before their eyes.

 

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That’s why we are confident the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be able to solve soon the grisly murder of 36-year-old Iloilo businesswoman Claire Diergos, who was laid to rest in in Guimaras on Sunday, Nov. 7. 

Investigators have been reportedly banking on the help of CCTV footages that captured the movements of the victim’s sport utility vehicle, where she was found dead, and the vehicle abandoned in Barangay Inangayan, Santa Barbara, Iloilo on October 26.

The CCTV footages, corroborated by several circumstantial and testimonial pieces of evidence, forensic science, and the quality of investigation being undertaken by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) headed by Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, are expected to help expedite the resolution of the celebrated case.

IPPO information officer and spokesman, Police Executive Master Sargeant Francisco Lindero, who had briefed reporters on the status of the case, assured the public they were leaving no stone unturned to solve the crime. 

Diergos, described by friends and her family as a hard-working and independent woman, sustained multiple stab wounds on different parts of her body.

If not for the fact that her body was found wrapped in a comforter and abandoned inside her own vehicle like in the mafia and detective movies, the case wouldn’t generate a huge public interest and become sensational.

 

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THE names of this year’s winners in the 50^th New York City Marathon on November 7 continued to be tongue twisters: Albert Korir (men) and Peres Jepochirchir (women).

Just like in chess, which used to be dominated by Russians like Botvinnik, Smyslov, Korchnoi, Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik, Akhsharumova, Akopian, Azmaiparashvili, Chiburdanidze, marathon has produced some of the names that would require sportscasters chronicling the mammoth race “live” to take a speech therapy before or after the event.

Before Korir and Jepochirchir, there were (yes, I have spelled their names right) Muhrcke, Mtolo, Kuscsik, Waitz, Mutai, Okayo, Ikangga.

To further torture our tongues, there were past winners like: Wakiihuri, Kagwe, Tergat, Pizzolato, Keflezighi, Gebremariam, Biwott, Kipsang, Ghebreslassie, Kamworor. Whew!

In Asia, we used to have a chess grandmaster from Indonesia named Utot Adianto, a Korean boxer Tae Jin Moon, and two Thai boxing promoters I personally know, Virat Virachachatanawong and Jimmy Chaichutchuang. 

In the Philippines, Ilonggo topnotch chef Tebong Jardeleza once revealed he had a Facebook friend known as Abigail Putayan, a Korean national who’s not involved in sports and culinary arts, and who also became my social media friend.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monico finally ‘beats’ Mayor Bing for Pacquiao’s attention

 “Activity in politics also produces eager competition and sharp rivalry.”

--John George Nicolay

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IN THOSE times when Bacolod City mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia carried Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao’s WBO belt inside the ring in Las Vegas, former Bacolod congressman and city mayor Monico “Nyuk” Puentevella stayed away from the limelight.

The two have been fierce political rivals in Bacolod City for decades.

In Las Vegas during Pacquiao’s title matches in the past 10 years, the two top Bacolod politicians avoided each other like Popeye and Bluto, both arch-rivals for the love of Olive Oyl.

But they pretended they didn’t see each other--or one of the didn’t exist—in rare occasions when it was inevitable that their path would cross either in press conferences or inside Pacquiao’s hotel room.

When it comes to intentionally not seeing each other eyeball to eyeball, the feeling was mutual. No hard feelings between the two adults. 

 

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While Leonardia was in the ring with Pacquiao, then the world boxing champion, during the official introduction before the start of many championship fights, Puentevella was in the ringside or in the media section as a reporter for Bombo Radyo Philippines.

Leonardia was among the many Philippine politicians who closely tagged along with Pacquiao on and off the square jungle. The others were former Ilocus Sur governor Chavit Singson and Buhay Partylist Rep. Joselito “Lito” Atienza.

Because Puentevella was there as an accredited media representative and sometimes as a Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) executive, he couldn’t be categorized as “among the politicians in Pacquiao’s circle.”

Even before Pacquiao became the toast of Las Vegas boxing community, Puentevella, who had first served as Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos, was already known to Pacquiao when the boxer-turned-politician was still a scrawny flyweight oriental and intercontinental champion.

 

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But in Las Vegas, where Pacquiao became a celebrity, Puentevella visited the ring superstar in his suite either in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino or in MGM Grand when Leonardia wasn’t around. 

When Pinoy fans in the Philippines and other countries watched Pacquiao’s fights, they would normally see Leonardia beside Pacquiao, not Punetevella, bolstering the presumption that Leonardia “could be closer” to Pacquiao.

Puentevella couldn’t do anything to reverse this popular perception as it’s beyond his control. He was there in Pacquiao’s title bouts, after all, to file a “live” radio report direct to the Philippines, not to compete with anybody for Pacquiao’s attention.

Ditto with Leonardia, who primarily flew from Bacolod to Las Vegas to carry the WBO belt, not to outmuscle or elbow any politician for a slot in Pacquaio’s ring entourage.

In fairness to the two distinguished Negros political leaders, they didn’t attend Pacquiao’s fights abroad with a purpose of displaying their enmity toward each other or telling the world that they were at loggerheads politically. 

 

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When Pacquiao became inactive in Las Vegas (from 2017 and 2018), Leonardia was seldom seen in Pacquiao’s entourage.  

When Pacquiao unsuccessfully grabbed Yordenis Ugas’ WBA super world welterweight crown in Las Vegas on August 21, 2021, Leonardia wasn’t around; but there was Puentevella (who never climbed the ring).

It also marked the rare occasion when the number of Team Pacquiao entourage had been reduced inside the ring: no more flag bearer and belt carrier (Pacquiao was the challenger that night); no more “eye sores” (those who climbed the ring to position themselves in the back of Pacquiao even if they have no official function other than to get a free exposure and publicity).

When Pacquiao was nominated by PDP-Laban (Pimentel wing) for president in the May 9, 2022 election in Quezon City on September 19, 2021, Puentevella was quoted in the press as Pacquiao’s “spokesman” where he announced that the former 8-time world boxing champion was ripe for the presidency and expressed confidence of Pacquiao’s victory.

Leonardia wasn’t around anew; he hasn’t endorsed his “kumpare” for president as of this writing. 

This time, it’s Puentevella’s show as he finally was able to amass a wide latitude and leverage to “beat” Leonardia for Pacquiao’s attention and companionship.

If Pacquiao will win for president and Puentevella gets a cabinet position, will he also offer a position for his former belt carrier?

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

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candidates to elect and reject

“The saddest thing in life is wasted talent and the choices you make will shape your life forever.”

--Chazz Palminteri

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE can’t elect all the candidates running for public office in the May 9, 2022 Philippine election, but we can scrutinize the “lesser evil” if not the “best.”

This is the beauty of democracy. The fate of all applicants for elective positions is on the people’s hands. 

We can reject the rotten and the villains and choose the right persons for the right job. 

The public officials we regularly elected during the elections in the past were almost actually in the category of “lesser evil.” 

If they were “the best” like Ramon Magsaysay and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, it’s a gift. If they were pristine, outstanding and dedicated, it’s a bonus. 

If they were incompetent, corrupt, morally bankrupt, spiritually inutile, they were a curse and a bad luck. 

But, as the world becomes materialistic and evolving in a dizzying pace in the age of technology and space travel, “the best” or quality public servants are becoming rare and are getting scarce nowadays.

Thus a “lesser evil” is better than the morally bankrupt and spiritually inutile.

There is no perfect public servant. All elected officials, including the appointed ones, are humans that can be tempted and tainted, unless they are robots.

 

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Here’s our simple list of candidates we must elect and reject in any election:

-WE must elect those whose moral values are intact and solid-rock;

-we must elect those who are spiritually whole and family oriented, or those who have basically total commitment and devotion to their families;

-we must elect those who are truly living—and have lived in the past--a simple life as their primordial principle with no iota or inclination to amass wealth or prioritize their whims and caprices;

-we must elect those who don’t have any agenda to transform the political power (once elected) into business and religious powers;

-we must elect those who will not perpetuate his family into any office and won’t resort to political dynasty (almost everyone must be guilty and may not like the way this article is written);

-we must elect those who are mentally and physical fit;

-we must elect those who have fundamental knowledge about governance, human rights and dignity, gender equality, logic, reason, human relations, science, good manners and right conduct.

 

-o0o-

 

-WE must reject those who are showing signs of megalomania and any other forms of mental deformity (during the campaign we can easily recognize them by their words and mannerisms);

-we must reject those who have low regards on human and animal rights;

-we must reject the gamblers, womanizers, drunkards, illegal substance addicts, wife or husband beaters (this is very basic and a common sense);

-we must reject those who are onion-skinned and are easily infuriated by a slight criticism or healthy opposition;

-we must reject those who are avarice and have the tendency to enrich themselves in whatever unconventional means at the expense of normal or ordinary people;   

-we must reject those who deny or reject reason and logic as the basic means of settling a conflict or solving both simple and complex problems;

-we must reject those who are buried in deep financial and personal debts;

-we must reject those who will act, decide and govern according to the wishes and dictates of powerful persons or organizations, those beholden to the interests of foreigners, destabilizers and merchants of disunity and mayhem; 

-we must reject those who are associated or have tight links with shady organizations and fraternities that promote ethos contrary to human advancement, decency and dignity;

-we must reject those who are culturally illiterate; 

-we must reject those who are racists, homophobic, misogynistic, sexist and bullies.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping an eye on Sara

“Don't tell me what you believe in. I'll observe how you behave, and I will make my own determination.”

--Alex Trebek

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE will continue to keep an eye on 43-year-old Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte and mayor of Davao City, until November 15, the deadline for substitution of candidates in the May 9, 2022 Philippine election.

There’s still an impending national paranoia that she will spring back to prominence and change her plans on or before the much-anticipated November 15 deadline.

The burden of proof, of course, falls on the presidential daughter’s shoulders to belie this mystery since she is the one involved in this long-drawn brouhaha.

We will know if, like what her father did in 2016, she will substitute for Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa or Bong Go, who are both “running” for president and vice president, respectively, under the PDP-Laban (Cusi wing) in the eleventh hour.

We will know with absolute finality if she was only faking an orgasm and taking us all for a joy ride.

 

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Mayor Carpio has repeatedly announced she wasn’t interested to run for any national post and was hell-bent to pursue her reelection bid.

As of now, her credibility is still intact, especially when she nixed the calls from her rabid supporters to “run Sara run” (for president) and firmly faced the TV camera to elucidate her decision.  

We would salute her if she really meant what she had said. 

It’s another story if she will suddenly become a drama queen and grab the jersey for a presidential or vice presidential run “because of insistent public demand” or whatever Famas-award winning soliloquy.  

We believe that a legitimate, sincere, independent, morally upright candidate for president, vice president, or any other positions, shouldn’t hide his or her true intentions to the public.

A man or woman of words is a trustworthy and credible leader.

 

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A true leader shouldn’t wait for the dictate or final decision of his or her father or mother. The candidate must decide for himself or herself. 

The parents have nothing to do with the candidate’s political plans, if the candidate claims to be independent and competent elective official.

A true leader should tell the people from the very beginning that he or she intends to serve them and is seeking their votes for a certain position during the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the Commission on Elections (Comelec), set on October 1-8, 2021 or a month ago.

People won’t be impressed if a candidate, however brilliant and grizzled, is only at the beck and call of someone who wields a tremendous power over him or her, and all the candidate’s decisions will emanate from that Godzilla.

A candidate must be transparent, down to earth, straightforward right from the very beginning and isn’t hiding a political black magic.

 

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AS I’ve mentioned in my recent article, the next mayor of New York City was already “pre-determined” even before the election day.

The election on November 2 of Democrat Eric Adams, a former New York Police Department captain, as the Big Apple’s second Black Mayor, was already expected owing to the fact that New York City is a “democratic territory” or majority of the voters are registered as democrats. 

Adams won in a landslide election that offered little surprise given that Republicans are outnumbered by a margin of about 7 to 1.

Currently the Brooklyn borough president and a former state senator, Adams, 61, will take the reins from outgoing mayor Bill de Blasio, whose second term was mired in the effects of the pandemic, historic job losses, skyrocketing housing prices and rental rates, extreme income inequality, and a broke transportation system.

We congratulate, Mayor-elect Eric Adams.

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

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

I’m Imeldific

 

“I shall return.”

—DOUGLAS McArthur

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

BEFORE I die, I want my son Bongit to become president.

It’s now or never. I can’t wait anymore for 2028; by that time, I might be gone.

The 2022 election is our biggest and most important break and opportunity.

I am willing to release a fortune—or give it back to the people—to ensure my beloved son’s victory by hook or by crook. 

Bongit’s presidency will redeem our family’s name badly besmirched when a so-called “people power” forced us to exile in Hawaii in 1986. 

We will rise from the deep emotional and psychological ruins and restore our honor and pride once Bongit wins. We will be vindicated.

We have been tagged as thieves and plunderers who lived in opulence and extravagance while the people lived in abject poverty; we’ve been falsely accused of horrendous crimes and humiliated all over the world. 

The tremendous shame and embarrassment is now being felt and endured by our grandchildren, who weren’t spared by the wrath of history only because they carry our family name.

Tons of court cases have been thrown against us here and abroad in the last 30 years, but the results only belied all the wild and incredible allegations against us. 

We were never convicted of any crime associated with stealing private or public funds. 

All the charges leveled against us were politically motivated if not marshaled by malicious and envious personalities and malcontents who wanted to foment hatred and destruction in our society. 

For the last 35 years, we’ve been ridiculed and harassed by characters who claimed they and their families were persecuted and their human rights violated during the Martial Law years. 

These were the bad elements and troublemakers who wanted to topple our duly constituted government during my husband’s fabulous presidency. 

Many of them were wayward activists, political sycophants, mercenaries and opportunists, anti-social hooligans, and hard-line communists who agitated to oppose and hostage the New Society, the centerpiece program of my great husband in the 70’s.

Their missing loved ones weren’t kidnapped and tortured by abusive military and police scalawags during the Martial Law; they just left their houses and communities on their own volition and may now be silently living in comfort abroad. We didn’t kill any person who opposed my husband’s autocratic government. We didn’t suppress and curtail the freedom of the press and expression. We never “silenced” the critical media. We never padlocked the legislature. What the country needed at that time was a national discipline and an iron hand leadership to save our democracy.     

By the way, they also strongly resisted and rejected any attempt by members of our family to seek a public office after we came back from Hawaii to rejoin the mainstream, reinstate our pride and dignity, rebuild our epitaph, restore our connections socially, economically, politically—and reclaim everything that rightly, lawfully, and morally belonged to us that were illegally, forcibly and arbitrarily taken away from us.

They even questioned the academic achievements of my children who all finished their degrees with flying colors in the best universities in London and the US.

We have suffered so much. Enough is enough. The last thing our tormented country needs today amid the pandemic is disunity, a Frankenstein-like leadership, paying homage to false political demigods and their ass-lickers, political cannibalism and voodoo worshipping. 

As a nation we need to survive. We need a fresh start. We need Bongit, my brilliant and beloved son, who has been bored to death doing nothing like a hermit since losing the vice presidential race to Lady Gaga five years ago.

So vote for my son Bongit in 2022. Please, I beg you. Truly yours, I’m Imeldific.

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