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Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Balingit: Caught between
By Allan Balingit
IT IS SELF-EVIDENT that a healthy democracy requires a well-informed citizenry thus, a well-informed Congress would seem to be equally essential. But where does inquiring for the citizenry ends and politicking begins?
This is the dilemma we are facing right now. We, the public, are caught between two warring political factions that both invoke our name in their quest for cure for this country's illnesses.
If these people are doctors, maybe we could file a class suit against them for malpractice, for misdiagnosing our state. They are giving us the wrong medicines because we don't seem to be getting well - in fact, we seem to be getting worse.
Meantime, the recent refusal of the Palace to allow its officials to appear before any legislative inquiry without its blessing has aggravated further the already strained relationship of the two branches of government.
Now, in a saga reminiscent of the epic battle of Manay Lotit Solis and Rosanna "Osang" Roces, the combatants and their political allies are taking their fight to a different level. The opposition is trying to test their new wet suits against the government's water cannon, while the government is ready to give the opposition CPRs (calibrated pre-emptive response) if they willingly insist on getting drowned.
If you ask me, they could both go to ___ and seek the advise of their master, whoever it may be.
Am I being so cruel? Who wouldn't be? While they are out there scheming, lying, and cheating, taking the rugs right out of our feet, the people suffer.
If it weren't for those Chinese telenovelas and the abundance of gossip television shows that keep us updated on the juicy, sleazy and crazy world of showbiz, keeping us sane in the process, then the Land of the Living Dead could probably be the Philippines.
Meanwhile, while the political protagonists are at one another's throats, we continue to spiral down economically. Much-needed investors are stymied by the noisy and somewhat theatrical political bickering. The passage of important bills is put at the back burner, in lieu of several investigations in aid of legislation - whatever that means, as we wait for the outcome of the battle between good and evil (or is it evil and the lesser evil?).
Wouldn't it be nice if one day, we could see Cory (former President Corazon Aquino) in a red dress or any other color besides yellow, (Senator Aquilino) Pimentel without his eyebags, and Father Robert Reyes walking?
* * * * *
Moving on, I don't believe that jueteng is making a comeback here in the city or in any part of the province. There might be some isolated cases of "lotteng" - a numbers game that gets its winning combination based on the result of PCSO's EZ-2 lottery draw - but to say that it is emerging would be false.
* * * * *
In the interest of public service, I have decided to include some of the messages we have received through "Talakayan", aired from 9 to 10 in the morning Mondays through Saturdays at 95.1 DWRW. This portion would probably be a regular part of the column, a venue for some people to air views, opinions and concerns, on simple but important things that matter to us as Kapampangans, and foremost as Filipinos.
It has to be constructive and should bring about a reaction, spurring people to act on the immediate concern or be inspired to reflect on the views put forth.
Here are some: "Keng harap nepo mall anang kadakal mamisaling pirated CDs sobra, kopyan de pamo buong Cd original makalunus noman deng local artist."
"Ang mga tao talaga walang disiplina. Yung lang utos na pagpatay ng engine at cellphone pag nagkakarga ng gas di pa magawa ang dami talagang pasaway."
"Talaga pu yatang eno salese deng aliwang tau, pati bakud ning NLEX mula Sta Ines to SFP penakawan da."
(October 18, 2005 issue)
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