Thursday, May 24, 2007 Wenceslao: Buac’s swagger By Bong O. Wenceslao Candid Thoughts
SO a priest, Fr. Ed Panlilio, won as governor of Pampanga? Good. But what bothers me is the claim of some radio people that Panlilio is the first priest to have won an election. Or that he is the first priest to have snagged a high elective position.
Some more research should have been done there, especially because we are talking of “first.”
Remember Jorge Kintanar? He won the post of assemblyman in the first election (1978) after Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law (1972). He was with the opposition Pusyon Bisaya that defeated the powerhouse Kilusang Bagong Lipunan slate that included Lito Osmeña. Pusyon also had Hilario Davide Jr. and Bartolome Cabangbang.
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The controversial Bogo canvass has exposed the character of Commission on Elections Regional Director Rene Buac. With what he has been insinuating about those who criticized the conduct of the Bogo canvass, the man is one of a kind. Then there’s the swagger. This man makes me long for the days of the respected Salud Aliganga.
My friend, Busay Barangay Captain Eliodoro “Yody” Sanchez is also one of a kind. He had an interesting take on this issue in his Bantay Radyo program the other day. “Why is the Martinezes fond of the word ‘buak’?” he asked. Yody said the Martinezes live in Barangay Buak. They are spearheading Sugbuak. Then Yody connected the dots.
While we’re still at it, losing congressional bet Gilbert Wagas surfaced yesterday at the Comelec regional office at the head of a pro-Tining Martinez crowd. Wagas is a former student activist, meaning, he is no stranger to protest actions. Wise move for the Martinezes then. This should give headaches to the pro-Benhur Salimbangon group.
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You win some, you lose some. Those who were critical of both Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and suspended Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano, like businessman Crisologo Saavedra and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, didn’t get what they wanted in the polls. Thadeo’s son Jonkie lost and the Ouano reign in Mandaue has ended. But Garcia won.
And tragic is the fate of Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing, the self-styled Big Brother. All the candidates he supported for mayor in the sixth district---Avelino Gungob in Consolacion, Adelino Sitoy in Cordova, Jonas Cortes in Mandaue and Arturo Radaza in Lapu-Lapu (not yet proclaimed)---won. Quisumbing lost. Money can only do so much.
