Out with the Old and in with the New

TRADITIONAL politicians or “trapos” as they are commonly called are ironically best at what they do, dancing and changing partners every elections. They are what we lawyers call “sui generis” or a class of their own. Each and every change of administration, the trapos instinctively follow and pretend they espouse your interest. Of course, others can just dismiss this dance move as “just politics,” little do they know that it’s the height of hypocrisy and unprincipled politics. However, a few trapos find it difficult to dance to the tune of the present PNOY administration. Unfortunately for them and fortunately for us, they were nipped at the bud rejected by the ruling party.

There is much talk that the Baguio City Liberal party would not be able to settle its alleged “internal conflict” in time to be able to complete its slate for the 2012 elections as opposed to the well oiled local Timpuyog political party of which are composed by majority of incumbent Baguio officials. Fact is, the local Liberal Party may be a force to contend with considering the clamor for real and positive change as it seems to be the sentiment of the local constituents. Whatever it is, let us not waste the opportunity to elect good and credible leaders who have the genuine and primordial sincerity to serve and set aside pecuniary gain. Those of us who have not registered to vote, please do so. Let us not pass upon this chance in order to avoid the election of the wrong candidates into office.

It is time for us to be more discerning in the candidates that we chose to lead the City. Enough with those candidates who run in order to advance their selfish interests instead of the welfare of all or simply those who cannot be trusted.

Baguio City has its share of trapos and I leave them up to you to decide who. Care to venture a guess?

On another note, congratulations to the JCI Baguio, Inc. for having elected their new set of officers for the year 2012-2013 under the leadership of its newly elected president Mr. Aurelio V. Cabato Jr. More power to the JCI Baguio Inc. and god speed!

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Let’s talk garbage…it’s been awhile since I last heard of the Environment Recycling System or the ERS machines that cost the city a whopping P128,000,000.00 in 2010. Of course, Protech has promised that the City would have a return of its investment once the ERS begins to process the garbage and convert the same to fertilizer, which would then be sold either by the City or be bought through a ‘buy-back’ provision in the MOA by Protech. It has been two long years and it seems that the City or Protech has not sold or bought a single bag, respectively. It simply isn’t making money. To date, it is my understanding that ERS machines are not working in full capacity and are being used alternately due to some mechanical problems. Is this the promised solution for our garbage problem?

Lately, the good Mayor is now inclined to enter into another agreement with a private firm to introduce the “Waste to Energy Technology” which has been said to utilize two hundred tons of garbage and converting the same to electricity. In fact, this so called “Waste to Energy Technology” has been utilized by different countries even before the invention of the ERS machines. Just to add to the frenzy, Councilor Datuin is now pushing for the introduction of the Blackhole technology which converts bio degradable and non-biodegradable waste into ceramic ash. Are these implied admissions that the so called revolutionary ERS machines are just a bogus piece of machinery?

For sure, there is something fishy in the garbage. Atty Pablito Sanidad Jr.