From the ground up

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March L. Fianza

In Baguio, Benguet and many parts of the region, jueteng operations are very much alive. In the city, gambling dens are everywhere. A few years ago, the fatal shooting of a policeman inside a gambling den in the Dampa building along Legarda road was investigated but for unknown reasons, it stopped. When we ask, we are not given proper answers. We are simply told that top politicians in the city are behind its operations that is why the policemen kinat do initing.

Consider also the controversial shooting in Atimonan, Quezon three years ago. It was the result of a turf war over jueteng operations in the province of Laguna. The jueteng lord and 12 others were killed in the ambush involving policemen. Jueteng and gambling are issues under the police who are the DILG that is under Sec. Mar Roxas.

Jueteng is just one issue but its unstoppable presence in the LGUs links the lowest barangay official with the President. In fact it cost the term of President Erap. The question now is whether Mar as DILG secretary and the other presidentiables such as Duterte, Lacson, Grace Poe, AP Cayetano, Defensor Santiago and Binay can stop jueteng.

Kankanaey vegetable trader and an old friend in college Renato Dawigan quickly sat opposite me in an informal assembly that was organized to introduce the movement Y2M or Yes to MAR to a multi-sectoral group of businessmen, farmers and students two weeks ago.

One of the speakers explained that MAR, referring to Sec. Mar Roxas of the DILG, is an acronym that could mean “MalinisAng Record”. MAR, according to the speakers, might yet become the administration party’s standard bearer in next year’s presidential election.

On the other side of the table, my old friend Atong looked like he was not his normal self this time as he was no longer outspoken as he used to be. Something was bothering him that made me suspect maybe he lost in a tupada last night, maybe the speakers are boring, maybe Mar Roxas is not an interesting presidentiable or maybe he was just lazy to talk.

To break the dullness, I opened a conversation by telling him that the meeting was called because the Y2M team wants to hear from the people gathered and find out what we think about Sec. Roxas.

One of the speakers said Mar “is already rich”, an insinuation that he will not steal public funds. Although, people know the perks that come with being the most powerful man in a country. And in so many instances, those who already have

 the riches are the ones who cannot depart with their wealth and instead keep on amassing more.

Finally, Atong spoke. His words were the most holy and truthful at that moment. He said, he started as a gardener between Mt. Data and Mankayan before he became a vegetable trader. For almost 40 years in that occupation and after existing under six Presidents, he has not seen significant changes in his life.

When I asked why, he said whatever small increases in the money that he earns from farming are spent on household and school needs, food and farm supplies whose prices are correspondingly increasing. “Uray nu sino ti agbalin nga presidente, ngumat-ngato met laeng ti presyo ti magatang,” he quipped. I agree.

I bet no one can argue with what Atong declared since this one is a continuing personal experience. As we continued talking, his mind became clearer. He added, “politico laeng ken dagita dadakel nga Chinese bisnisman, kasama dagitan korap nga pulis ken jueteng operator ti makitkitak bumakbaknang!” I knew then that Atong can tell the difference and that he knows what he is talking about.

When I requested him to use the microphone in the assembly and tell the Y2M speakers what was in his mind, he answered, “Amu da kadi ti ibagbagak. Ti madi pay ketumay da laeng agpasyar dituy ayan tayu nu asideg en ti eleksyon.” (They know what I am talking about. One more thing, they only come visit us when it is nearing election time).

I insisted that he should face the crowd and tell the Y2M panel of speakers to visit the farms, not only in Benguet but all over the country. Instead he said, “Bay-amun padli. Mamatikakadi, uray sino agtugaw nga presidente, 

haan nga bumaba presyo gasolina ken ti magatang.Ipustak pustisok, ti presyo ngumato nga ngumato!” (Forget it my friend. 

Believe me, whoever sits as president, prices of gasoline and other commodities will not go down. I will bet my false teeth, prices will increase and increase more).

My conversation with Atong was interrupted by a commotion caused by the arrival of Korina. I understand she came to help support his hubby’s dream. I thought there was nothing wrong with that. Just be careful the Atongs in the crowd will not notice the rich make-up or cosmetics, the snobbish eyes, the nose and other synthetics that may become topics that can promote or destroy Mar.

The simple and straightforward dialog with Atong brought me back to past issues that never ceased whoever sat as president. For example, on jueteng and gambling. These are local problems that are not addressed to the fullest simply because the President and the people directly under him do not bother to stop them even if policemen end up killing each other.

This translates to simply saying that a change of guards in the palace does not bring major changes on the life in the barrios. Especially when LGUs, regional line agencies and people in the lower government bureaucracy do not have innovations and still act the same way by following the same old policies when providing public service. My old friend’s political outlook is more realistic. Atong for President.