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Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Wenceslao: Cardinal’s question
By Bong O. Wenceslao
Sponsors of the Sugbuak bills will now have to contend with the hardening stance of Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal against their move. "I will never change my mind," he told reporters recently.
What apparently is inspiring him is the result of the Church's informal survey that showed Cebuanos' overwhelming opposition to the split.
Days ago, I heard Rep. Simeon Kintanar claim on radio that they tried to have an audience with the cardinal but were snubbed. A reliable source told me that the three Sugbuak proponents did send a messenger to the cardinal asking for an appointment and the cardinal said yes.
The cardinal, though, had one condition before setting the date.
He asked the messenger to convey to Kintanar and Reps. Clavel Asas-Martinez and Antonio Yapha "the first of many questions I would like to ask."
The question? "Could the three honorable members of Congress please tell me how they've used their pork to benefit their district in the last nine years?" The messenger never came back.
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So what is happening to the case filed by lawyer Alfredo Sipalay against the Cebu City Government for closing the National Government-funded South Coastal Road? Or why the slow pace in resolving the case? Are people now just contented with the current arrangement wherein vehicle owners beg City Hall officials to give them a road pass?
Apparently not Cardinal Vidal. The same reliable source told me that the cardinal has chosen to bear the traffic mess during his visits to southern Cebu. Asked why he won't get a pass from City Hall, the cardinal reportedly said: "I will use the South Coastal Road only when it is open to everybody." I'll say amen to that, Cardinal. And bravo!
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It's good that Gov. Gwen Garcia has pushed bus and mini bus operators to impose a lower fare hike (no it's not an oxymoron). Those operators, especially the big ones, are greedy, feeding on the suffering of their passengers. And I don't buy their claim about losing money in their operation. Tingali, alkansi sa ginansya (that's still no oxymoron).
As for operators of mini buses, especially those plying southern Cebu, straighten your act. First off, clamp down on those speed devils masquerading as drivers (or are they drug addicts?). Secondly, stop the practice of squeezing passengers into all the spaces of vehicles.
Unless of course, you think you are packing sardines inside tin cans.
TEXTREAX. Texter Eluy, who read my column on my soaring electric bill, said: "Bahin sa Veco, huwat ko sa imong write up. Banat!" To Eluy, you may have to wait a bit longer. I just received my billing for August and it is lower by P200. So the monitoring continues.
(khanwens@yahoo.com/0927-2055064)
(August 24, 2005 issue)
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