Monday, May 21, 2007 Echaves: Hail the voters By Lelani P. Echaves Thinking Aloud
“ANG mga tawo ningdawat pero botar gihapon sa konsyensya” (People accepted the money but they voted according to their conscience),” said the taxi driver taking me to the city. He was talking about the election results in Mandaue City.
Why didn’t he and his family vote for Jonkie, I asked. Three reasons. First, the issue of alleged corruption, particularly the latest on the lampposts. Second, Jonas Cortes had at least political experience as a city councilor, while Jonkie didn’t. Third, “kapoy na kayo nang puros lang Ouano; lain na sad (Three Ouanos in a row was boring; it was time to change).”
But the lamppost issue was still under investigation, was my feigned protest. The taxi driver’s voice raised a pitch. “Bitaw, pero kanang gitawag nila’g prima facie, bug-at na gyud na ang ebidensya (True, but finding a prima facie evidence is already a strong proof).”
Risking his ire I continued, “Mao bitaw nang i-investigate aron tan-awon gyud kung nakadawat ba gyud si Teddy (Ouano) (That’s precisely why it’s still being investigated; his guilt still has to be established).”
“Unya, Ma’am, kung guilty gyud diay siya pero na reelected na, wala na gyu’y mahimo kay na-a naman sad sa poder. Maayo pang pulihan na lang gyud (So, if he’s found guilty but got reelected, his power would render him untouchable. The better move was to just change him).”
He spoke with great conviction, laced with some irritation. I dared not provoke him. I didn’t risk having the taximeter go on overdrive, or the taxi driver’s dropping me far away from my destination, or worst, becoming a demon on the road. In moments like this, I remember my father’s words of wisdom, “Sight of way is better than right of way.” And this refers not only to other vehicles and motorists, but to irate drivers as well.
And so, I congratulate Mandaue’s new mayor Jonas Cortes for his victory, especially because it wasn’t an easy feat to end about 20 years of a political dynasty, and to take on a council that’s dominated by his predecessor’s men. My congrats, too, to all people everywhere who cast conscience votes, regardless of whom they voted for.
I’m happy that my favorite councilors Hilario “Junjun” Davide III, Sylvan Jakosalem and Edgardo Labella got reelected. I’m told that “Junjun” initially didn’t plan on a reelection bid, but his father, the highly respected former Supreme Court chief justice Hilario Davide Jr. said it was his son’s duty to continue doing good and serve the city. And of course, no one ever doubted Raul del Mar’s victory in Cebu City north district.
Namfrel’s unofficial and partial count yesterday yielded seven of my senatorial picks in the magic 12—Escudero, Villar, Pangilinan, Aquino, Arroyo, Cayetano and Pimentel. My conservative friends say Escudero reportedly worked for the impeachment of then chief justice Davide, and Cayetano has such abrasive ways. I say it’s better to have people who are not afraid to speak their mind, than the treacherous behind Mr. Nice decorum.
