Monday, October 30, 2006 Mongaya: Election period begins unofficially By Anol Mongaya Panahom
WE just had our very late lunch last Wednesday at the Bahay Bakasyunan in Camiguin together with fellow journalists from Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Manila and our hosts from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) when the television began airing earthshaking news from Manila.
The Supreme Court, with the chief justice breaking a tie, practically derailed the Charter Change train of Speaker Joe de Venecia and the pro-Ramos faction of the administration.
It was obvious that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo rode on the Cha-Cha train until the last moment when her supposed allies at the Supreme Court seemed to have left her. But come to think of it, her support for Cha-Cha kept the pro-Ramos faction safely within the orbit of her administration away from the rebellious ranks of the military. It also held back the opposition from preparing all-out for the 2007 election.
Yet, in my view, Charter change did not really jive with her political interests as much as that of JDV and FVR. Now, all other political movements will be shelved aside with the unofficial start of the 2007 election period.
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After enjoying an extended lull from controversies, GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia launched a pangpagwapo project in Camiguin Island: the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System or G-w@ps. The project involves using the latest in information and communication technology (ICT) to make GSIS services available anytime, anywhere in the country.
According to Garcia, G-w@aps is a transactional machine capable of replicating day-to-day activities of typical GSIS frontline services. The 55-inch high box-type machine, with a 28-inch by 16-inch touch screen monitor can identify a GSIS member, display all of the member’s records, and even process loan applications of members without any documentary requirement.
Why Camiguin? Garcia said if they can make G-w@aps work in the island paradise in northern Mindanao, the system would work anywhere in the country.
From where I sat during that press conference beside the sea, I thought the G-w@ps program of PGM Garcia will not only work wonders for GSIS. It will also increase Garcia’s political stock nationwide with 2007 just around the corner. Curiously, the journalists from Manila did not just involve business and ICT writers like April of Computer World. There were also political writers from Manila’s Senate beat. Mmmm.
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The death of today’s version of Cha-Cha ushered the unofficial start of the 2007 election campaign period. It also means the start of interesting political realignments. Yesterday morning for instance, I was surprised to see Vice Mayor Mike Rama joining the fun run organized by the Guardos. The activity culminated at Punta Princesa of Brgy. Captain Joe Navarro. Let’s await the response of the camp of Rep. Tony Cuenco.
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Over at the South Reclamation Project (SRP) last Saturday and Sunday, our city officials rub shoulders with people who were eager to show off their latest luxury cars while the rest of us suffer hours of traffic at the old superhighway.
(superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol.blogs.friendster.com/anols_blog)
