Friday, January 18, 2008 Seares: Pissing contest By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
THE Bisaya metaphor can't be more apt: "pata-asay og ihi," from the contest that pits skills to piss as high as one can.
That, despite the flaw if one's rival is a woman, who has another way of pissing. But the metaphor's color and imagery make up for the defect.
One brags, the other brags more. Which is what the public sees from clashing charges between Cebu Capitol and Cebu City Hall.
It started not as boastful talk but as simple declarations of fact and wish.
Gov. Gwen Garcia said the Province has multibillion-peso assets and is awash with cash.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña said his city is No. 1, "ang tinuod nga numero uno."
A Gwen critic may say there's no really rich government since needs of taxpayers abound and can never be fully met.
A Tomas critic may rate his claim as more of a wish or a goal than a fact, as there are cities out there that are better-run, with more efficient services, and aren't neck-deep in debt.
They could've let Tomas' and Gwen's claims alone. They don't collide. But look, Tomas is running today a full-page ad trumpeting that his city collects more taxes than Gwen's province does.
Odious comparisons
The trouble with raising one comparison is that it breeds many more. OK, City Hall collects more taxes than Capitol. Then they must also compare how much of income goes to basic services and how much to loans.
And other odious cousins like: Which is more efficient in killing stray dogs and petty crime suspects? Which is more honest and transparent?
And so on. There can be no end. Next thing, they'll compare faces and body shapes. Ridiculous, but it can happen.
