Monday, October 16, 2006 Mongaya: Nursing controversies By Anol Mongaya
BEFORE the Court of Appeals (CA) decision on the controversial nursing board exams leakage, I thought the best solution was a retake. However, I now realize that the partial retake is better. A retake would have been unfair to examinees outside Manila and Baguio.
The CA decision should also give those who failed a second chance. But I pity those who testified that they received the leakage but still failed. If they failed the first time when they cheated, how will they pass the second time when they cannot cheat anymore?
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Let us see how Gov. Gwen Garcia will react to the move of four mayors and two vice mayors in Metro Cebu in asking her to appoint board members of the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD). From where I sit, the appeal could also be read as “choose us, not Mayor Tomas Osmeña.”
Maybe, the governor will also come up with her own Solomonic solution. After all, her brother Pablo John supports the position of Mayor Osmeña while Metro Cebu officials are her political supporters. On the other hand, the governor may also use the controversy to push her own position on the water issue.
I just hope the controversy will be resolved in such a way that existing MCWD consumers will not suffer an additional increase in the price while the needs of thousands who have yet to enjoy MCWD water will be addressed.
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Akrho and Tau Gamma frat men in Naga should watch out. Before the fiesta festivities, they were warned by local government authorities to ensure that no violence will erupt. Mayor Val Chiong said he worked hard to give Naganhons, especially the young, a good time during the fiesta but these frat men delight in disrupting the festivities. So far, we have been treating them with kid gloves. Maybe, it is now time to show these frat men the iron first.
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Has anti-indecency advocate Rene Bullecer given up on the proliferation of lewd shows even in downtown Cebu City? There was a time when the bikini shows in Cebu City became so tame that night owls went to bars in Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities. However, it seems Bullecer’s Caib is not active anymore while the police prefer to close their eyes inside the cool VIP rooms. In fact, in one downtown bar, there would be times when shady characters are inside a VIP room next to the ones used by certain police officers.
I think our preparations for the coming Asean summit should also include efforts to clean up our local sex industry. It would not look good if the over 2,000 foreign journalists coming over to Cebu would soon compare us with the red light destinations of their own countries and thus project an unwholesome image.
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Customs Collector Boysie Belmonte is on the right track in calling for an investigation of the foiled “swing” operation involving four smuggled luxury vehicles last week. The vehicles were apprehended during the time of a former collector and were forfeited in favor of the government. But it seems a buyer is so enamored with the vehicles that he advanced P800,000 to the swing artists. A processor being investigated by customs police is reportedly singing a merry tune and naming key officials who received bribes. Boysie should make an example and ensure that no cover-up will happen.
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Justin Junio has shown the world that a determined five-year-old can do wonders. Before the three-kilometer swim, some adults including even a swimming coach, expressed skepticism Justin deserves a Guinness record for the feat.
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Come to think of it, if young Justin could swim across the Mactan Channel easily, how much more these young Badjao kids who make a living by swimming for the coins thrown by passengers of passing ships. If tapped for swimming competitions, I bet they could easily win gold medals. If granted scholarships for their swimming prowess, we will have less Badjaos prowling the streets.
