BULL’S HIT

Rudy Garcia
Cashunduan at LTO?

BAGUIO CITY -- Drivers and operators of public utility vehicles have all the reason to be happy. Now is their chance to recover from those big losses they incurred from past oil price increases. They are happy on the series of oil price rollbacks but not with the commuters who are still waiting for a one time fare rollback. They are not happy with the Land Transportation Regulatory Board and deadlock with transport groups on giving in to their wish.

And somewhere along the line I could not also see any reason why prices of basic commodities remain high despite the petroleum rollback. Or are we made to wait for a long time before we could feel real the effect of these rollbacks on oil products? How long could there be a one time rollback on fares and commodities that will eventually make me believe that miracles happen? ***
Funny, but executive secretary Eduardo Ermita said he was only joking when he said during a press address that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would eventually step down on 2110. Does he mean PGMA would not run for the presidency anymore? Ha! Ha! Another joke to fool the illiterates – err, I mean the electorate come election time. How I wish this is not another tactic from those spin masters out to confuse the mind of every Juan dela Cruz. There’s a saying that “promises are made to be broken,” and it was only meant to be a joke just like what press secretary Dureza said when told to comment on his controversial prayer during a cabinet meeting. He said he was not praying but only joking.

Attention, honorable monsignors, archbishops, bishops among others. What now can you say on these statements coming from the honorable press secretary? Whew, something is really wrong now at the House of Panic -- I mean Malacañang! Bless thy kingdom! ***
I should not be writing this piece and let our counterparts at San Fernando City La Union do it. But my urge to expose what every Juan dela Cruz wants to let the public know and I mean to wake up the authorities is a social responsibility. I could not bear to ignore the complaint.

Just recently, a concerned citizen forwarded to me a text message regarding irregularities that are allegedly going on at the land transportation office in San Fernando City La Union. I am not saying that their LTO top executive Graciano J. Tobias is aware or has something to do with this issue, but rather to call his attention for him to act accordingly if he finds this true.

Accordingly, there are a lot of fixers there particularly at the licensing department wherein they are allowed to enter into transactions when they should be prohibited from doing so. This LTO top honcho should know the cash-sunduans between his employees and the fixers for this is illegal. If he cannot, then my guess is crystal clear right.

Secondly, how true is it that a certain Sandra Wilma Baagen is allowing her clients to enter after the cut-off time while other clients who are on line but are affected by the said cut-off time are told to come back the following morning? If this is true, then how much is the cash-sunduan and who are taking part of the pie?

Nonetheless, I am giving the LTO San Fernando City La Union the benefit of the doubt. After all their top Honchos may not want their office to be tarnished by their employees who are scalawags, but if they choose to be bulag, pipi at bingi, then our guess is correct.

Ano sey mo Apo Tobias? Pakibusisi mo naman itong naibulong sa akin. Busisiin! ***
Combined elements from the Baguio City Police Office made a surprise inspection to all night establishments and public places within the central business district of Baguio, a night after a 15-year-old boy, who is a student of Don Bosco High School was stabbed dead along Legarda Road. Initial investigation revealed fraternity conflicts and gang wars were the causes of this incident.

While we appreciate the police in exerting their efforts to solve this case, I can’t help but wonder why they are only doing preventive measures now, when they should be doing this before hand. Or did they forget the saying “Prevention is better than cure?”

As I have been writing in this column, violence could be averted if not lessened if only police would conduct no nonsense regular kapkap (frisking) operations and implement curfew hours on minors. But this seems to be not taken seriously. Nevertheless, I know the new Baguio City Police Chief Supt. Will not take this sitting down, right Chief Wilfredo Franco? Aksyunan ninyo naman po ito, Apo!
***
Speaking of Baguio police, the chief superintendent required all cops under his turf to undergo physical fitness examination to evaluate who are physically fit and not. Accordingly, those who are not physically fit could be booted out from the service. This could be good news to some citizens in this city who often laugh upon seeing policemen in fat bellies having difficulty running after those criminal elements.

“Ituloy ninyo and kampanyang ito mga bossing sa PNP para naman mabawasan kundi man mawala ang mga pulis na butete. Period!
***
Through this column, I would like to extend my sincere apology to Mr. Jose A. Merete of Hamada Subdivision, Baguio City for all the injuries and inconvenience I might have caused him the past years particularly on my affidavit which was used as a supplemental evidence against him by certain persons.

May the person of Mr. Merete be compassionate enough to forgive me and accept this public apology! I thank him in advance!