Nalzaro: A narcissistic politician

Sunday, July 17, 2011

NARCISSISM is the personality trait of egotism, vanity, conceit or simple selfishness.

Applied to a social group, it is sometimes used to denote elitism or indifference to the plight of others. The term “narcissism” was introduced by Havelok Ellis. It’s named after Narcissus, a pathological self-absorbed young man in Greek mythology, who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool.

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It is believed narcissism is an essential part in all of us from birth. In adults, a reasonable amount of healthy narcissism allows the individual’s perception of his needs to be balanced in relation to others. Some experts believe a disproportionate number of pathological narcissists are at work in the most influential reaches of society, such as medicine, finance and politics.

Why am I writing about narcissism? Because I observed that a local politician fits this description. The face of this politician can be seen in tarpaulins, in the newspapers and on TV. Sobrang in love at bilib sa sarili. Guess who? Well, your guess is good as mine.

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Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre sent me some documents, including perspectives and cost and estimates, on the proposed construction of public restrooms in different municipalities in the province. He was reacting to my write-up last week where I raised the possibility of the restroom being overpriced, following his statement that each one would cost P600,000.

I’m sorry, Engineer Pelayre. I am a broadcast-journalist and not a civil engineer, so I didn’t understand the documents you sent me. However, the perspectives gave me an inkling.

Apparently, the Province will be building three-room restrooms using high-quality materials. My question is this. Why three?

Usually there are only two rooms—one for male and the other for female. Maybe the other one is for the third sex. I think they want to implement the suggestion of Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy that members of the third sex should have one of their own.

Anyway, here’s a part of the cover letter of Engineer Pelayre in Cebuano: “Ang Provincial Engineering Office maoy gitahasan sa preparasyon sa plano o desenyo sa usa ka proyekto ug lakip niini ang ‘costing o estimates.’ Kining buhatan mao usab ang responsable o manubag sa Commission on Audit (COA) kon ang usa ka proyekto mapamatud-an nga ‘overpriced.’ Matag development project nga ipatuman pinasubay gayod sa engineering/industry standards. Ang presyo o kantidad sa usa ka proyekto base kini sa plano ug pedido diin ang ka-resonable niini kinahanglan nga subay gayud sa COA rules and regulations aron dili makasugat og problema ang maong proyekto inig proseso sa mga dokumento.”

Nalakip niining suwat kopya sa plano ang scope of works, mga dokumento nga nagpakita ug magpamatuod nganong ang proyektong public restroom building nikabat man og dili mominus P600,000. Hinaot pa unta nga kining maong dokumento maoy makagiya o makapapas sa mga pagduda ilabi na kadtong mga nagpakabanang mga experto ug labaw na gyud sa mga lungsuranon.”

Hay naku, engineer. As if you were born yesterday. I am sure the bidding will only be to satisfy COA rules and regulations. But you know it can be rigged in favor of a favored contractor. How many bidding passed through the bids and awards committee but were eventually declared anomalous by the COA and the anti-graft office?

Next time, Sir, please simplify your thoughts because you are explaining matters to a non-civil engineer. I am sure even your boss, Gov. Gwen Garcia, cannot understand technical matters. Naa’y Cebu International Convention Center bitaw sobra man na kaayong gipaburot.

(bobby@sunstar.com.ph)