The
Liberal Party proclamation rally at the BSU gym last week was not only warm as
it was well attended by all the LP municipal bets and the provincial candidates
for congressman, governor, vice governor and board members of both political
districts who took the time to mingle and exchange notes; it was cheerful
courtesy of Atty. Jerome Wallace Selmo who gave a 30-minute dressing of the
gubernatorial race. The proclamation rally was aired via dzWT/WR. In his
speech, Selmo described himself as the candidate without the financial
resources but was urged to run against incumbent Gov. Nestor Fongwan to provide
a “choice” for the voters.
“Masapol
met a nga ada pagpilian ti botantes tapnu agpaysu nga ada ti demokrasya nga makunkuna
dituy lugar tayo,”Selmo said. In
jokingly manner the slightly medium-built Selmo told the audience how it is a
wonder that job applicants are more than a dozen but nobody wants to file their
application for governor. Selmo served as Fongwan’s legal officer when the
latter was mayor of La Trinidad. He later resigned and one day found himself
running for mayor against his former boss. Why? There must be a deep reason. I
would want to find out from Selmo or Gov. Fongwan someday. Aside from Selmo,
those proclaimed in the rally were Nelson Dangwa for vice governor; Amor
Moresto, Fernando Aritao and Atty. Jerry Marave for board members of District
1; Jim Botiwey, Fernando “Pandong” Balaodan, Ric Angluben and Fausto Maliones for
board members of District 2.
the presentation of municipal bets and after all the endorsements and
speeches, incumbent Congressman Ronald M. Cosalan took the stage and urged his
party mates to campaign for a 12-0 slate in favor of Team PNoy’s senatorial
bets in their localities. Those proclaimed in the True, it is smoother for an
administration to implement development programs if elected officials are
aligned with the President. The same is true in the provinces, Cosalan
explained. Indeed, history tells us that provincial leaders who were aligned
with the administration always got what they sought for their constituents. In
Benguet, transporting products has been a problem, however today; it is of
record that major roads linking municipalities are presently being concreted to
ease the burden of traders and farmers. In fact many roads were already
concreted. This is confirmed by most mayors regardless of their political party
affiliation. By the way, many residents of Tuba, Sablan, Trinidad and other
towns know of a certain mayor who has intentionally closed his eyes to the
development efforts that were brought to the barangays through the efforts of
Cosalan. For reasons known only to this mayor, he has resorted to lying to his
people that Cosalan never brought development to his town which is
unbelievable, according to a participant in the proclamation rally.
A day after Easter Sunday, squealing
pigs sharply pierced the eardrums of Alapang residents, kicking off a series of
political rallies by Liberal Party bets of La Trinidad as well as other
political parties in provinces, cities and municipalities in the country.
Earlier that day, Congressman Cosalan was warmly received as guest speaker by
the residents who were celebrating their barangay fiesta. In the emcee’s
introduction at the start of the night rally, he said incumbent mayor Greg Tomilas Abalos
Jr. and party decided to launch their campaigns in Alapang because the barangay
is a “special place” for the team. In fact, Alapang is where the late old man
of Mayor Abalos traces his roots. That really makes the barangay special to the
LP La Trinidad team. Along with him were his team of councilor bets namely:
Balili chairman Paul Alveras, former councilor and provincial board member
William Esteban, former Betag chairman Pedro Golocan Jr., councilor Henry
Kipas, Ambiong chairman Teddy Quintos, Dr. Horacio Ramos Jr., councilor Arthur
Shontogan and Alno chairman BoyetTereng. They were likewise endorsed by 12 of
the 16 barangays of La Trinidad. In their campaign flyer, these simple words
are written: “Let’s continue to make a difference!”
Before Greg Abalos Jr. became mayor he
already saw the need to “sow goodness” in La Trinidad in order that there is
something to “reap.” And so with the help of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of
Commerce, he facilitated the construction of 17 two-classroom school buildings
spread out in all the barangays. Now, who can beat that? Even while he was yet
to be in public office, he already advanced his contribution to the youth of
his town and the educational sector that comprises students, parents and
teachers. His move was and is unprecedented, and that could be the reason why
future Bokod mayor, none other than lawyer Robert “Osong” Basco who likened
Abalos to a fruitful tree said, “bato-batoen da ni Mayor Abalos ta
adutibagasna!” Now, isn’t that how mayoralty candidates and other wanabes
in any locality introduce themselves? Kaanakan, kabsat, ading ko agmula
kayo pay a tapnu ada burasen yu! Voters can not solely depend on the shadow of
an elder and name recall. There must be an indisputable reason in running for
public office, especially for a mayoralty post.
Talking of mayoralty wanabes, the
candidates for the top seat to Baguio City Hall have outlined their programs in
a forum hosted by the DzWT/WR radio station last week. Those in attendance were
incumbent mayor Mauricio Domogan, former city councilor Atty. Jose M. Molintas,
private citizen newsman Peter Puzon and Engr. Guillermo Hernandez. For obvious
reasons, my wanabemayor Roland “Chongloi” Wong of Luisa’s Café was
uninvited. Of course, on environment issues, the four bets were one in saying
that such a contentious topic should be given attention, however they have
respective ways in presenting their views. Puzon hinted that the weather
climbed a few degrees hotter in the city because of the instapave asphalt on
Session road and other streets, while Hernandez called for planting a tree in
every residential house which is indeed a doable and easy solution to
supporting the environment.
For his part, Molintas said it is about time that
the city imposes a moratorium on subdivision development as there is too much
infrastructure going on at the expense of trees. For Domogan, he said he is for
“green governance” whatever that is. I do not know if he was talking about
green as the color of money or green as the color of the environment. What is
clearer is that when trees inside a controversially owned land are to be
sacrificed for the sake of development, and the head of a city says “I cannot
do anything,” then there is no green governance to speak of. I am sure Chongloi
agrees to all of the above.
On the senatorial campaign, most of
them are speaking in general rhetoric. They all talk about “bagongpag-asa,
pagbabago, walangkorapsyon, walangkatiwalian.” Whatever, I tried to get a
sampling of the youth or the newly registered voters and most of them returned
my question: “Uncle sinongaytalagatiibotosparasenador?” I told them if
you are not familiar with the names of the senatorial bets, go to the internet
and consult. If you want my recommendation, I am endorsing to you the new candidates,
especially the independent ones such as Edward Hagedorn, Eddie Villanueva,
Teddy Casino, Greco Belgica and RicPenson to name a few. If you are still not
so sure, then turn to Team PNoy’s bets. I am sure you will find candidates
worth voting for such as Sonny Angara who was endorsed by Courier columnist
BabooMondonedo in the LP Benguet proclamation rally, Ramon Magsaysay Jr.,
RisaHontiveros, Koko Pimentel, Jamby Madrigal and Grace Poe. Except for
Magsaysay, Angara, Pimentel and Madrigal who have clean records while in public
office, people really wish to see new names in the senate. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com
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