BULL’S HIT

A nincompoop barangay captain
RUDY GARCIA

We have a saying that Juan is not Pedro and Pedro is not Juan, so what Juan planted is not for Pedro to harvest and therefore, it is not fair to put the blame on Pedro for whatever Juan did. But for this newly-elected barangay captain along the central business district in Baguio, he believes otherwise as he claims I am the “copy cat” of another columnist in a local tabloid.

I should have let this issue pass and forget it like water under the bridge but it could be misconstrued as an admission. As the saying goes “Silence means yes.”

Call it accidental, but I happened to meet the tanods and one of the kagawads of this bocap evening last April 14 at Kayang St., a day after a street rumble happened along Session Raod wherein barangay tanods with night sticks were among those involved. Some witnesses said these tanods are under the jurisdiction of this bocap, the reason I asked and verified this with the kagawad I met, wherein I found out none of his tanods were involved.

Nevertheless, I told to his kagawad that I will be correcting the “mis-identification” done by those itnesses through my column. This kagawad called and talked to this bocap on two-way radio but I was surprised to hear when this stupid barangay captain said, “Sinong Rudy?.. Ah si Garcia, Rudy Garcia na media, huwag kayong maniwala diyan, wala yan , pareho lang naman yan ni ______ (name of the other columnist).

I could not imagine a friend and a “kumpare” saying that to his kagawad with his tanods listening. What embarrassed me more was his comparing me to another columnist known as an AC-DC (Attack and Collect, Destroy and Collect) that I perceived it as a form of oral defamation against my person.

In fairness, I just want to remind this bocap that personally, I don’t have any ax to grind against him, More so has nothing to do or what the other columnist is writing against him, not at all!
***
Funny but maybe coincidental that right after writing this article regarding this barangay captain, I met “Lilly” ( not her real name) who was among his campaigners last barangay election. Lilly told this writer that she regretted campaigning for this bocap that she now feels sorry to be a part why this bocap is now in position. “Hindi naman niya kami kilala ngayon na kapitan na siya, hindi na siya namamansin, lahat ng pangako niya sa amin, napako!” said Lilly.

Well, I don’t wonder though why some of his constituents are now mad at him. I thought he changed for the better, but I was wrong for this stupid bocap has gone from bad to worst -- from a businessman kagawad to kapitan and now he is doing lots of grandstanding or pakitang tao for his political ambitions.

Clue? Well, he was one of my close friends before and we called each other “Pards.” He is also very close to a top official in Baguio who happens to be my stepbrother. He is now starting to have a swollen head he believes he is now that powerful.

I feel sorry for this fat bellied barangay captain. He forgot that power is not forever and nothing is permanent in this world. Power makes a man blind like this bocap whose initials are IBP (not Integrated Bar of the Philippines but Increasing Blood Pressure or Isang Barangay sa Palengke.)
***
After my visit to our family-owned farmlands in Pangasinan last week, I started to believe that there are other reasons for this “man-made rice crisis” which the government calls “rice shortage.” It was really a pleasant chance having a talk with the farmers that gave me ideas on the real picture of our rice production, and I was right in saying from my previous column that there would be no rice shortage. But I stand corrected on the perception that we are short of good managers but rather there were bad eggs who were only pulling the strings to create public confusion and panic for reasons known only them. The question is who are benefiting and how? Surely it will not be the poor, hungry and dying Juan de la Cruz.
***
It seems that Baguio is now the favorite place of the country’s favorites. After the favorite scandal, the ZTE-NBN deal exploded, the first couple decided to have a vacation in this summer capital maybe to feel its cool climate and get away from the hot climate (or issue) in the meantime. Our justices of the Supreme Court also had their good vacation and while in the city, worked out the motion for reconsideration filed by the Senate on Romulo Neri’s case on executive privilege. This will do good for the justices who are expected to render just and fair decision for they will be miles away from the heat of pressure or influence?

Now comes the favorite ZTE star witness Jun Lozada visiting Baguio for a school and rally appearance, and right after, Lozada here comes the favorite administration drop-out, former Comelec chairman Ben Abalos with his favorite Ben Burger and his favorite lawyer Panelo doing some rounds of press cons at the favorite hang-out of Baguio media practitioners.
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After the fire that razed 100 sari-sari stores at the Baguio City Public market, it is high time that concerned city authorities should be serious in implementing fire code standards. This is also to call the attention of the Benguet Electric Coop. to be more vigilant and on the look out for unscrupulous electrical contractors who are in cahoots with some of their personnel.

These people are allegedly conducting electrical installations without proper supervision and completion of required clearances from the CBAO and registered electrical engineers. I wonder how these people manage to get away from the hook, so now I want clear answers from the BENECO, CBAO and the Fire department.
***
Some are wondering specially barangay officials at lower Magsaysay, Baguio if those videoke bars and billiards establishments at Synita Bldg., Tabora Park Lower Magsaysay formerly Rabbit sinkhole are really “untouchables” as they operate almost 24 hours daily even if most of them have no business permits.

These establishments are giving headaches to barangay officials and the police in terms of nuisance and peace and order. Most street brawls and rumbles are caused by their drunk costumers. Snatchers, pickpockets and even hold-uppers frequently go to these establishments the reason why city constituents are afraid in passing or going near the said area.

Attention, city administrator Peter Fianza, POSD chief Greg Delejero, BCPO Supt. Moises Guevarra and Cristio Lagyop of the permits and licensing division. Kindly check these reports gentlemen, please.