BULL’S HIT

Cash gifts, road gripes and an abusive cop
RUDY GARCIA

The admission of the league of provinces in the Philippines that the “cash gifts” doled out during a Malacanang meeting, came from them could be a big joke to every Filipino. This is truly another one for the books, another one for Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Maybe, that Malacanang spin master ultra magnifico propagandist could have thought this as an easy way out by mere circumvention of facts courtesy of those foolish “sipsip” to the kings and queens at Malacanang who participated in this game show.

What puzzles as though is how come it took the league a couple of days or even weeks to come out and admit as the source of the money from this “payoff?” Can this be a diversionary tactic and a desperate act by those crooks at Malacanang so they could be saved from plunging down deeper to the deep blue sea by hook or by crook?

I believe, most pinoys are not that dumb or stupid to be swayed by these spin masters stunt. This insults the little intelligence of every Juan Dela Cruz. After all, poor Juan knows the caliber of politics at Malacanang moral and fiber wise.
Like adding color and spices to come up with a desired dish, President Arroyo issued an order to investigate this cash dole outs. But who believes that she doesn’t have the knowledge of this pay-offs scandal? Only the sick and the puppets maybe.

Assuming she knows, this is no guarantee that she could be impeached, but, if this is her way to sanitize the odor coming out from her “Palasyo” so be it. Nothing is new anyway. Better still, the small but smart PGMA should have her own soap ads called “Sabon de Gloria” where she can put a punch ad line, “Mahusay, magaling maghugas ng kamay!”
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At least, our very own Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan during a press conference at his city hall office admitted having received P250.000 from the
“cash gift” not a P500.000 as other officials claimed.

He was quick to say what he received was not a bribe but a regular transportation and representation allowance from the house coffers regularly given during long recess. So, the good congressman coming from his own mouth regularly receives this kind of amount?

While I appreciate his partly being honest, everyone who were around during his press meeting may have been wondering if he really was revealing what he knew and not what he was asked to say.

But knowing Manong Morris who was long been in the practice of politics, he knows what he is doing and what he should say. He is an experienced one, a politico who can beat even the likes of JDV or FVR. “Kudos” to his teacher. So who’s saying that experience is the best teacher? And who’s also saying that honesty is the best policy?
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The undetermined explosion that rocked Glorietta II in Makati City is serving another black eye to the peace and order in the Philippines. The incident killed several innocent people and seriously injured 80 plus people or more.

The authorities and the Ayala holdings that manage Glorietta had been caught surprised with their pants down. Of course this will also affect the credibility of Director General Avelino Razon who was just recently appointed and sits as the PNP chief.

This column shares the grief of the victims and their families and joins the call for vigilance against terrorist in our midst. I urge every peace loving Filipino citizen to cooperate and be counted!
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Some are saying that the sanctions given to the seven Department of Public Works and Highways Officials over the controversial multi million peso Mt. Data-Bontoc Road along Halsema highway were too light for the gravity of the offense made.

Questions were also raised why the regional and Mountain Province DPWH officials suspected of complicity in the projects were not relieved as part of proper procedures? Insiders also claimed those relieved DPWH employee are still allowed to perform other duties and responsibilities.

Well, there’s nothing new really. I have been an open critic of the procedures done at the DPWH, and I can only perceive that unless anyone at DPWH who has the balls to blow the whistle, questionable undertaking of projects at DPWH would go on. Poor Pinoy, when can he take all of these sitting down?
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Who’s to blame on the deterioration of mountain slopes along Kennon Road? Residents along this road fear more landslides believed caused by massive pocket mining in that area. I have been calling the attention of concerned authorities like Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine National Police, local and barangay officials through my column to look into this issue of concern but it seems they did not take this seriously the reason why this has gone too far.

Meanwhile, the Directive of the Dept. of Transportation and Communications regional director Bong Mandapat to limit the number of vehicles passing through Kennon Road was right. Now, we see the reason why he issued such order and I hope he remains standing pat on this.

Just the same, I again call the attention of the DENR, PNP, local and barangay officials to remedy this problem. They should not wait for another bad scenario to be haunt them before they wake up. Move!
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The Local Commission on Elections should be more vigilant and strict in implementing the election omnibus code. I have received numerous reports of barangay candidates who should be disqualified because of residency status but were able to get certificates of residency.

They should also go after those violating the election gun ban law like what happened last week wherein a policeman identified as a certain PO3 Balanban, drunk and in civilian attire, brought out his gun and cocked it right in front of horrified costumers inside a videoke bar at upper Mabini St.

Some elements from BCPO Station 7 responded upon the call of that videoke manager, but they wondered why they just allowed this PO3 Balanban to simply go out from the videoke bar without even having this incident recorded on their police blotter. Some were even disappointed with the unfair treatment by the police, that those who wanted to file complaints against Balanban opted not to pursue.