‘Noynoy’ / Baguio’s new police chief / City travel rules / Politics

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – Former President ‘Noynoy’ Aquino passed away last week without much of the crowds owing to government restrictions amid the Covid pandemic. As next year’s elections draw to a close, the question now is, will there be a third wave?
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Somehow, it is a welcome development when police chiefs or officers are assigned to their hometowns, provinces or regions as they know more the culture of the people and are more sensitive to their concerns.  
    In the Cordillera, we have what some indigenous people like the Kankanaey’s or Applai’s of Sagada, Mountain Province call “inayan” which could be loosely translated as “never do anything bad.” It is some sort of a local version of the Golden Rule.
    But “inayan” is more of a stricter cultural norm. It forbids “doing bad” not only against people, but nature and society in general. In places like Sagada where people adhere to cultural norms, people who go against it are ostracized and can take the form of being ignored in wakes where people will not talk or sit beside you.    
    That is why, the assumption of Col. Glenn D. Lonogan as new police director of this summer capital methinks, bodes well for the populace.
    Lonogan is from Sagada and their house is a stone’s throw away from ours in Barangay Dagdag, a short distance from the municipal hall then called the “presidencia.”
    He knows what “inayan” means, having been raised in the rustic, tourist town where people have maintained their cultural and peaceful ways and are helpful and sensitive to people.
    Lonogan’s latest assignment before getting the Baguio post was as chief of the Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division of the Cordillera Police Regional Office. 
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Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee officiated the turn-over command ceremony of the outgoing and incoming city director at Baguio City Police Office on June 18. 
    Former Baguio police chief Col. Allen Rae Co. relinquished his command to Lonogan who received the BCPO flag, property book and equipment inventory symbolizing authority and turn-over of responsibilities entailed by the position.  
    Co expressed his gratitude to the “exemplary leadership and accomplishment of the command group, station commanders and the men and women of BCPO.” 
    In his assumption of command message, Lonogan also expressed his gratitude to PROCor cops urging those in the PNP to “follow health protocols, not to engage in illegal activities, focus on police service and adhere to intensified cleanliness policy.”
    Lonogan said he hopes Baguio cops will be more competent as they acquire skills, training and seminars.
    With Lonogan at the helm of city police, we know he will do the right things, keeping “inayan” in mind.  
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Travel requirements for visitors from Metro Manila and nearby provinces remain as this city reopened to travelers and tourists.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said essential travelers are still required to register online through hdf.baguio.gov.ph and tourists through visita.baguio.gov.ph and should undergo reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or antigen testing.
    Antigen testing is conducted at the Baguio Convention Center triage, saliva test in Burnham Park on Tuesdays for those with advance online registration, and RT-PCR swab testing at the Baguio General Hospital. Travelers pay for the tests.
    “Staycation” (ah, these new words nowadays), is allowed only in establishments accredited by the Dept. of Tourism.
    Magalong said contact tracing and compliance with minimum health standards still apply.
    This city remains under general community quarantine until the end of the month.
    City officials said tourist arrivals started to pick up this month with the easing of travel restrictions in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
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In the national level, Liberal Party President Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Tuesday said perceived "cracks" within the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) could benefit the opposition.
    The senator made the remark when asked whether the reported "rift" between the factions of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Sen. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao would be beneficial to the opposition.
    "Of course. Disunity within the ranks of the administration will affect their strength," Pangilinan told media.
"It's understood that if they have no unity, their chances [of becoming stronger] would be affected. Whether it would be enough na matalo sila o hindi, ibang usapan (for them to lose or win [in the 2022 elections] is another issue)," he said.
    There were rumors that Pacquiao, acting PDP-Laban president, would be kicked out at the next party assembly on July 17.
    The boxing hero was reportedly planning to run for president in next year's elections.
    When asked whether the Liberal Party would be willing to coalesce with Pacquiao or consider him as one of its possible standard bearers if he was ousted from the PDP-Laban, Pangilinan said, "As I said if [he or she] is sincere in looking for a solution to the toughest crisis that our country is facing, then, we are open to talk [with him or her]."
    When pressed whether the opposition is confident that it would be able to field a single candidate for president in the 2022 national polls, he replied, "Nothing is definite. Obviously, we will work hard toward that."
    "As I said, [we must pursue] the broadest unity possible. If we could just have one slate. We can't have two slates and then tell them, 'You're on your own.' Of course, that's quite difficult," Pangilinan said.
    "And we will go by certain traditions [in coming up with the opposition slate], let's say equity of the incumbent, winnability, positions on issues. All of that would be factored in in forming the coalition slate," he added.
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Ah, politics. In the local front, we are now getting information on prospective candidates not only in the summer capital but other parts of the region, with filing of candidacies set in October.  
    Like for example, a congressional candidate who is set to file his candidacy in a nearby province and goes around in slippers even in official functions, then off he goes, riding his helicopter. How did he acquire the mechanical bird?
    I did not know I have a neighbor, who is a billionaire. But then, that is another story.