BULL’S HIT

Rudy Garcia
Strange happenings along Mabini St.

A bar joint at Upper Mabini St. in Baguio that was previously padlocked by city authorities four months ago because of expired business permit is now allowed to open with its new operator enjoying the privilege of having strong connections with local barangay officials.

The previous owner was deprived of his right to business when a barangay captain refused to issue a barangay business permit on his establishment because of the liquor ordinance but lo and behold. This barangay captain issued a barangay permit to the new owner of the said bar who happens to be his close friend, and it is a wonder since the permit applied for is in the same line of business from the previous one.

I was told that this new operator who is a media practitioner in a local TV outfit was behind the previous closure so he could take over this bar known to be a haven of gays and pickpockets. But mind you, he could not have done this without the help and aid from crooked officials at city hall and this stupid barangay captain who is the son of the former barangay captain. Makakarma din kayo!
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It was 30 minutes before the Baguio City council could start their session last May 4 so I decided to go up at the stairs and glance upon a couple of familiar faces, and yes it was Mr. and Mrs. Rogelio Tan of the Jadewell Parking Corp.

I was informed that they were in Baguio to attend the city council on the deliberation of Jadewell as stated on item 6 of the agenda. Jadewell represented by Mr. Tan and their impromptu lawyer Emil Gayo offered an out of court settlement in exchange for their operation to be back on Baguio streets.

However the city council held back their distance saying there is a case presently pending at the Supreme Court and pulling the ropes handed to them by the Jadewell will give or add merits to all the cases filed. Cutting it short, a motion was filed to the August body deferring the matter to the council committee on laws. It is a question if the council is now softhearted in entertaining Jadewell once more.

The people of Baguio have spoken and they are no stupid to change their minds in just a short time. Hence I disagree to what Mr. Tan told to media that they were victims of political squabbles in the city. Yes, the people of Baguio will not again pay for the use of the roads which they own. Extortion? Not again please!
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It’s a wonder what’s keeping the barangay officials of Barangay Kgitingan in Baguio in going after those Muslim vendors selling pirated and pornographic VCDs and DVDs on sidewalks and roadsides under their turf.

This writer submitted a letter urging said officials to act appropriately and accordingly on these vendors violating the anti-piracy, anti-pornography and anti-peddling laws which was received by their office and other government offices concerned before the start of the Holy Week but nothing has been done up to this writing.

If the report is true that some barangay officials are in cahoots in protecting these vendors, then it makes me wonder no more, unless the barangay captain of Kagitingan shows political will and superiority over her officials who seem to be pulling the strings to block any operation against these Muslim vendors. Right punong barangay of Kagitingan and POSD chief Greg Delijero? “Ano rin sey mo, CIDG regional director Moises Guevarra? May patong ba kayo dito? Nagtatanong lang po!”