Milestones

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March Fianza

           

August 18, 2012: Senior citizens from the different towns in Benguet welcomed Congressman Ronald M. Cosalan to their ranks. The Benguet Representative was declared by Tublay Senior Citizen association chair Lauro Aniceto as the “youngest” senior citizen as they celebrated his 60th birthday. The congressman was given his Senior Citizen ID, membership certificate and a Senior Citizen vest that he will wear during the association’s meetings. While Tublay barangay chair Edward “Bootsie” Cosalan was helping him wear his new vest, I thought I overheard him whisper to the congressman: “insan, mausar mu meten dijay 20 per cent discount mu ti pasahe ti jeep, drugstore ken restaurant” (cousin, you can now use your 20 per cent discount on jeep fares, drugstore and restaurant).

In the morning of that day, August 18, 2012: Well-wishers and relatives from Itogon who came to celebrate with the congressman received news of the ill-timed passing of Forester Guillermo Sumali Fianza, 62. Manong Gemo was the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (Penro) of Benguet at the time he was called to the Great Forest. Aside from being a respectable elder in the Alpha Phi Omega brotherhood organization, he was instrumental in forming the Green Mountain Circle, an organization of UP Los Banos students, many of whom trace their roots here in the Cordillera.  

A no-nonsense DENR man, his co-workers in and outside the department seek his advise on issues that need resolution, considering his experience with the department and the positions that he occupied since joining the DENR in the late 70s. The last time I saw him, he was ironing kinks in the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) in his area; how to implement an effective National Greening Program in Benguet, then rushing to a meeting to tackle problems surrounding Tailings Pond 03 of Philex Mines. Being a man who was always on the go, he has established closeness with politicians of any political party and ideology, and of any size and shape. Certainly, his relatives and friends from Manny Pogeyed to the Kristo in Shilan will miss Forester Gemo.

In the afternoon of that same day, August 18, 2012:  While the senior citizens’ bash was at its peak, I was told by Madam Cara Cosalan that she just received information through her cellphone that the small aircraft carrying DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo, 54; went missing off the coast of Masbate. His remains was discovered three days later. After his fatal accident (or was it assassination? Just asking), many are saying that like Raul Roco, his fellow Bicolano whom I voted for in the 2001 elections, he was the “best President we never had.” He was never confirmed as DILG secretary but some politicians were saying that he could be given a “posthumous” confirmation. I ask, what for? Unless they want to have a posthumous or “ghost” secretary. 

Many wonder why despite Robredo’s stunning performance as LGU chief executive of Naga at a time when Pinoys were looking for a presidential candidate for 2010, his name as possible material never floated. I have to admit the reality that the attention of Pinoys is still focused on the financially prepared, popular and showbiz personalities. We are not lacking of the best alternative public servants as there are plenty of them around. Truth is that we are not willingly conscious to put a not so famous but good public servant into office.

August 25, 2012: Forester Gemo was buried in their ancestral home in Itogon while PNoy was swearing into office Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, 52. She is the first woman chief justice and the youngest ever to be appointed to the position, hence, expected to serve for 18  years as chief magistrate. Lawyers I have asked to comment on Sereno’s appointment reacted positively saying her competence, independence, dynamism and youthfulness could bring much needed physical and moral reforms to the Supreme Court. Congressman Erin Tañada said there will be “stability in the SC” for the next 18 years. On the other hand, ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona commented that Sereno’s appointment “speaks for itself,” forgetting immediately that during his impeachment trial he has been consistently saying that his ouster was being pushed by Justice Carpio who wanted to take over as CJ. Sereno’s appointment disproves this. 

August 25, 2012: The opening paragraph of a news story in a local daily about the appointment of a new chief of police for Baguio said,  “It wasn’t a guessing game.” This was the statement of Mayor Mauricio Domogan in reaction to public speculation that he chose P/Supt. Jesus Cambay Jr. over four others because of personal reasons. I welcome Cambay’s appointment considering his willingness to help in some community and media projects I helped launch in the past. The mayor said Cambay was chosen based on the criteria set by the screening committee that he himself headed. He could have just went right away and appointed Cambay, no question about that. But when he created the screening committee, the question arose: why was there a need to create a committee? Does this mean, that no criteria was ever followed in the past appointments of police chiefs? Was it “guessing game” in the past? There was no need to justify what was already very obvious. 

It was also learned that the other nominees gave almost the same plan of action under the criteria on programs and implementation, but only Cambay presented a program on environment aside from the peace and order programs that are standard police work. I like this one unusual development, but does this mean that Cambay’s good thoughts and suggestions on environment protection, ecology balance, and no cutting of trees as dictated by EO23 be taken in consideration by his appointing boss in City Hall.

I haven’t heard Mayor Domogan and his search committee talk about Jueteng and the proliferation of gambling dens in the city. No one knows the mayor’s marching orders to COP Cambay about this. What I know is that this is a significant issue that the mayor and the new COP does not want to talk about in public. In private, I don’t know. By the way, the dates for these milestones are the numbers “18 and 25.” In a kubrador’s jueteng dictionary, they represent “penis” and “gift,” respectively. Uncle Swanny, pony boys, drivers, market vendors, barangay tanods and officials, and city hall employees – tayaan yun 18-25, tuloy and ligaya! –marchfianza777@yahoo.com