BULL's HIT

Rudy Garcia
Thriving flesh trade along Magsaysay Ave.

BAGUIO CITY -- Except for Fiscal Alfredo Centeno who is the Chief Prosecutor and the main man at the Baguio City Prosecutor’s Office, there are others deserving to be commended in performing their assigned tasks beyond par, and one of them is Prosecutor Ruth P. Bernabe.

Two weeks ago, parents of a victim who is a minor that was nearly stabbed to death by a co-minor, sought my help to assist them on the case of their son that is now pending at the sala of Judge Iluminada P. Cabato at Branch 59 RTC of Baguio City. Call it consequence or good fate, I referred them to the said lady prosecutor who is the new prosecutor of RTC Branch 59 that is now where the case is pending, and lately received words from the parents that Bernabe has been supportive and so kind to them, that I decided to extend my gratitude to the good lady prosecutor through this column. I hope fiscal Ruth Bernabe finds time to read this and accept my full hands salute. May she have more power, Her Honor!
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I just wonder why the concerned authorities of Baguio seem helpless in putting a stop to rampant prostitution at Upper Magsaysay Avenue, this flesh trade had been going on for a long time but until now, officials continue to ignore or address the problem, the reason why that area is now called the local Ermita where flesh trading is done openly as if it was legal and common.

Aside from those beerhouses and massage parlors along the intersection of Magsaysay Avenue and Upper Burgos Street, here come the prosti” in their early 30’s and 40’s roaming around at the overpass and underpass just a few meters away from compact 3 of BCPO station 7 scouting for probable “sex for fee” clients.

Here, if they agree to the offer of sex service in the amount of more or less 300 pesos, both would check in on nearby lodging, inns or at Lakandula and at the back of Center Mall that is the Katipunan inn. Short time check inns range from 150 to 250 pesos while overnight is 300 pesos up. Lucky is the man who afterwards would not be a victim of those “sakal boys” or the “salisi” but he would be more lucky if he has a baon of a condom, flavored or not for being a member of the “tulo organization” is really difficult.

Just a few steps from the lair of these “express girls” is a massage parlor cum videoke bar. Ask those young and beautiful attendants serving as “barkers” how much their service is and you will be surprised at the amount. It is economical and anyone who wishes to have a good time will not think twice of spending his little hard earned money just to have a date with any of these young and attractive attendants.

Though these young ladies seem to be minors and innocent, you will be surprised to note how they treat their customers and invite passersby that only professionals and experienced in this field can do so.

I suggest we put up a school or training center for them to teach their talents to others, that is, if the officials concerned prefer to be bulag, pipi, at bingi. Why don’t we make prostitution legal the same like illegal gambling, drugs, pornography and others legal and forget the saying “The end does not justify the means.” Hoy gising!
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If Baguio City officials and the citizens will join hands in preventing any plan to put a structure that would destroy and kill hundreds of pine trees at the government center lot besides the Baguio Convention Center and Court of Appeals, there could be no reason for those greedy people to succeed in executing their plans.

While it is true that SM Holdings claims to have postponed or dismissed the plan, its counterpart which is the GSIS is issuing other statements that are in conflict with the position of SM, the reason for some to doubt the sincerity of both entities.

If the plan will push through without any sign of opposition from the Baguio mayor and the council to stop it then I guess there could have been some cash-sunduan that went under way and it would be the people of Baguio whom I have to blame for their laxity and their “I don’t mind attitude” that would result to the destruction and abuse of Mother Nature. Remember that the worst thing to happen for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing. Bantayan!
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Another thing that Baguio City residents should watch for is the transfer of the maintenance and responsibilities of street lights – from the city government to the Benguet Electric Coop. This issue is now pending and under study at the office of Councilor Thomas “Rocky” Balisong who is the committee chairman of Public Utilities.

This measure could be beneficial to the City if not for the high cost the city would be shouldering in case this will be approved. Can you imagine the city paying millions of pesos monthly to Beneco? I think the monthly fee for the garbage hauling is already enough and spending another for these street lights is too much, unless Baguio City folks want the city to go bankrupt. Mag-isip-isip naman kayo mga apo!