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Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Nalzaro: Mangaoang’s predicament
By Bobby Nalzaro
I have frequently received e-mails from a sender who identified himself/herself only as Blue Angel. The name alone is interesting for a man like me.
But I was not only intrigued by the name but also by the e-mail sender’s exposes of activities at the Bureau of Customs. I don’t know if he/she is an insider of the bureau but some of his/her information about anomalies and shenanigans there were sometimes accurate. It looks like he/she is knowledgeable of the ins and outs of the bureau.
Reading between the lines of her e-mails, however, I noticed that Blue Angel is against District Customs Collector Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang.
But to Blue Angel, I am sorry. Call me a coward, if you will, but I cannot use your information in my columns and radio commentaries because you are hiding your real identity. Until you remained incognito, I will just be reading your e-mails.
Frankly, if I use your information, it would be like I am tying a rope around my neck and committing suicide. I would be courting libel cases if I did that.
Anyway, I am looking forward to the day when we will meet personally so that I will believe you. Also, I want to find out if you are beautiful like what I imagined you to be. In the meantime, all I can say is, Hello, Blue Angel.
***
One cannot blame the controversial Mangaoang if she uses her political connections to be able to hold on to her present position. This is because personalities who are interested in her post are also doing political maneuvers to get the coveted post.
There is no need for me to go into the details on why there are so many people interested in Mangaoang’s position. It is a juicy post and there is treasure in that government office, especially because Cebu is one of the country’s major ports.
Grace Zuño Karingal, who is the main contender for the position, is also moving heaven and earth to get the post and lobbying up there through her patrons and political connections. Imagine, she was reportedly able to get endorsements from Surigao Rep. Prospero Pichay, an Arroyo ally, and the controversial former Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
But don’t tell me that Pichay and Garcillano are more influential to President Arroyo than Cebu Reps. Raul del Mar, Tony Cuenco, Nerissa Soon Ruiz and even Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and her godson, Councilor Jack Jakosalem, all of whom are Mangaoang backers.
Jack made a last ditch effort to convince his godmother, the President, to retain Mangaoang. I don’t know, though, if Jack’s maneuver will work.
Don’t ask me why these politicians are sympathetic to that feisty lady at the customs bureau. This is the first time that a collector got an overwhelming support from local political leaders and business groups. Is this because of Mangaoang public relations offensive, her charm or because of something else? That I don’t know.
I am not a fan of Mangaoang. I only met the lady once through a common friend. But I find her frank and straightforward.
Well, I don’t know if she is a saint at the bureau. I mean, I do not know if she is involved or not in shenanigans in that corruption-ridden bureau. But it’s public knowledge that corruption in various degrees exists in that office. You become an instant millionaire once you are assigned there.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 5, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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