|
Thursday, March 04, 2004
Mongaya: FPJ to catch up
By Anol Mongaya
The granting of bail—P1 million—to Ruben Ecleo Jr. caught everybody by surprise. A lawyer friend said that in cases involving crimes punishable by death, bail is only granted if the evidence is weak. In Ecleo’s case, the judge cited humanitarian reasons.
I think the fear that Ecleo will jump bail and flee the country is baseless. Instead of fleeing, Ecleo will run for mayor of Dinagat.
***
Many people expected the Supreme Court to disqualify Fernando Poe Jr. on the question of his citizenship. On the other hand, his supporters anticipated the dismissal of the disqualification case. That the case has indeed been dismissed should now boost his candidacy.
I heard that there were plans to hold mass mobilizations had FPJ been disqualified. This would have been sustained in the hope that it would trigger another Edsa-like upheaval. The mass disappointment would have been transformed into anarchy in the streets, especially in Metro Manila.
In Cebu, however, I think pro-FPJ leaders like Kusug candidate for mayor Alvin Garcia, Kusug bet for councilor Edward Ligas and Agila chairman Boy Odilao are capable of instilling discipline during protest actions.
Now that FPJ is deemed a natural-born Filipino, he has to contend with the disturbing trend in the surveys. His popularity is waning while that of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is steadily climbing even in the latest Social Weather Station report.
As I said, the disqualification case was one major obstacle for Da King’s campaign. His financiers reportedly held back until the case got resolved. Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson was raring to take over FPJ’s role as the opposition standard-bearer. Incidentally, Lacson will visit Cebu on March 8 and conduct a province-wide caravan.
Now, expect funds to start flowing into the coffers of the FPJ camp. Da King will now play catch up with GMA. It was the other way around when former president Erap Estrada ran for president in 1998.
***
Mayor Tomas Osmeña reportedly gloated over the failure of PUJ drivers to completely paralyze public transportation in Cebu City. He glossed over the fact that City Hall spent a huge amount to rent multicabs, distribute health cards and come up with other anti-strike measures.
The mayor chose to wage war against the drivers instead of addressing their local grievance revolving around One Citilink terminal. According to former mayor Garcia, Tomas mishandled the transport sector because he wants to please the owners of One Citilink.
***
Another cab driver, the fourth, died in the hands of robbers. It’s obvious Mayor Osmeña and the police failed to stem the crime wave that’s sweeping the city. After all, the expensive multicabs have been proven to be ineffective against crime. But our city leadership still insists on using more of these.
***
A case that hogged the papers in Ormoc City recently caught my attention because it made it easier for journalists facing libel to get off the hook. The case filed against one Imelda Sacay-Berndt and three members of the West Leyte Weekly Express by couple Kester and Mylene Lim was dismissed by the inquest fiscal even if there allegedly was no clarificatory hearing.
***
It seems a section of the public is now impatient with Mactan-Cebu airport manager Angelo Verdan. One texter said he should explain why despite the P11 million repairs last year, the runway is still dangerous. The guy, who has no civil service eligibility, has remained in office because of the blessings of powerful patrons close to Malacañang.
I think somebody should tell Cebuanos who are close to GMA to tell her that Verdan has become a liability to her candidacy. After all, there are several qualified people within the MCIAA ranks. Why insist on Verdan?
(e-mail:superbalita@ sunstar.com.ph/ anol_ cebu@hotmail.com; text: 0917-9761193)
(March 4, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
