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Friday, February 10, 2006
Wenceslao: Tining's showbiz appeal
By Bong O. Wenceslao
I FIRST saw up close Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III when we, together with Ombudsman Director Virginia Santiago, spoke in a forum at the University of San Carlos a couple of years or so ago. He was soft spoken and obviously possessed star quality considering the oohs and aahs some kolehiyalas reserved for him.
I don’t know how good he is as mayor. Although I have friends working with Martinez, I haven’t met them much lately, so there is no way I could gather anything substantial about him. The last time I was in Bogo was, I think, in 1999, or a few weeks after my wedding. I brought my wife Edizza there for the needed break from work.
But Tining belongs to a political and land-owning clan---so that should give away part of his character. The Martinezes wield two whips, governmental and economic. In rural areas like the fourth district where they hold sway, that breeds warlordism. That the clan is able to maintain its hold on Bogo and the district shows how it is using its power.
Incidentally, I once did organizing work for a few months in Cebu’s far north, an area that includes the fourth district. Poverty there is widespread, from the coastlines where small fishermen thrive to the sugar plantations where the exploitation of farm workers are apparent. That effectively weakens opposition to the rule of the Martinezes.
Tining, though, is not the originator of the political dynasty. His father, Celestino Jr. or Junie, and to certain his mother Clavel, did. In a sense, he is still mastering the use of his political and economic power. That is why some people are giving him the benefit of the doubt on the claims hurled at him by Land Bank-Bogo rob suspect Joel Sumabong.
Ordering the killing of political opponents or masterminding a bank robbery to raise funds for an election campaign are acts consistent with the thinking of warlords. But with Tining’s youth and relative inexperience, I still doubt if he has acquired the daring to do it. Besides, I don’t think the Martinezes’ politics already includes warlord methods.
Or am I but naïve? Anyway, those are initial thoughts and subject to change once investigation into Sumabong’s accusations moves. One thing is certain, though. Sumabong’s claims have tainted Tining’s showbiz appeal.
TEXTREAX. Sendo of Sto. Rosario, Bogo corrected earlier reports that Henry Cuerda is the son of Felix Cuerda. The Cuerdas were mentioned by Sumabong and in the investigation on the Land Bank-Bogo robbery. “Silingan kaayo namo ang mga anak ni Felix,” Sendo said.
(khanwens@yahoo.com / 0915-9228651)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 10, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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