Politics, as viewed from Asin

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Roger D. Sinot, Sr.

When publisher-editor Alfred Dizon, the man behind “Behind the Scenes” along with some friends motored down to refresh at Asin Hot Springs last Sunday, he convinced me to share my thoughts on politics, business and other matters under the sun that are worth talking about.

In the same week, opinion writer and cousin March Fianza came too and did the same, hence this corner “Light at the end of the tunnel.

The accompanying photo is the exit of the second tunnel along the Asin road when one comes from Baguio. “Light” for me is the guiding light, the bright side, the light house, etcetera.

In religion, light pertains to “hope” or namnama in Ilocano. After total darkness comes hope. In politics, light is truth. At my age, if a lifespan is 100 years old, then I am halfway to my final destiny and nearing the age of judgment.

I remember an old saying that goes: In your teens and 20s, you are in the age of wishes, dreams and planning; in your late 20s to 30s, you are in the age of wit and wisdom; in your late 30s and above, you should be in the age of judgment.

And so, at the present stage of my lifespan, maybe I can be allowed to say that I am as good as a judge. In politics, I go for Team PNoy’s advocacy “ang matuwid na daan.”  

Most if not all politicians claim that they are under the same advocacy but that is something that people should ponder on. In Benguet, the yellow team leads the green team by a distance.

Incumbent congressman Ronald M. Cosalan supported by his grassroots development and livelihood projects has the aces over the green team. In Baguio, the green team led by incumbent congressman Bernie Vergara has a lead over the yellow team if political campaigning is all about the number of posters.

But judgment day is still to come on May 13. After listening to caucuses and rallies, the Liberal Party still has the “matuwidnadaan” formula. The green team brags about the number of people that attend their rallies, forgetting that a rally attended by a big number does not guarantee a candidate of winning.

Compulsory or hakot attendance is different from voluntary attendance. What is more advantageous to candidates is a public address unit with a big speaker system that can reach houses in two to three barangays and is especially very helpful in political rallies in Baguio where barangays overlap each other.

After listening to the Baguio Liberal Party coalition line-up headed by Ibaloi mayoralty bet Atty. Jose “JoeMol” Molintas, I can now size up that an Ibaloi can sit on the throne at the city hall on the hill. Ibalois should not be greedy and think only of what they can personally get from incumbents but should realize that an Ibaloi mayor in Ibaloi country is long overdue.

Meanwhile, Art Allad-iw for councilor was right in saying that almost all the infrastructure projects of the green team leaders are without the consent of the people of Baguio.

I am also with Rudy Paraan for councilor, a true-blue Baguio boy and son of the late former Mayor Ping Paraan; and so with Pops Carantes, another Baguio boy cousin. Not to forget Manong Atty. Edilberto “Tene” Tenefrancia, a favorite lawyer of Ibalois and an elder in the city council. Of course, I appeal that you include in your list of councilors young and ambitious Atty. Ronald Perez who belongs to a family of lawyers.

I have reasons why I am voting for certain people, especially those who can fight for the sentiments of the marginalized. For example, landowners of nearby Tuba town who are affected by the operations of the city-owned Asinhydro electric power plants have yet to receive the rentals that were stipulated in a MOA three years ago.

Many landowners are slowly dying of old age or sicknesses but have yet to be paid for allowing the use of their lands by the city. Now, why should we put these people back to city hall? An election that is just around the corner is like going for a bath or shower, where one prepares the things he needs like soap and towel.

After bathing, do you put on the same dirty clothes or wear fresh or newly washed clothes? Go vote on May 13 but be wise. Be sure to vote and be able to change into newly washed clothes. In short, vote for change. Happy trails to all.