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Friday, August 04, 2006
Balingit: Adoption
By Allan Balingit
On a High Note
IT LOOKS like that Governor Mark Lapid and the Pampanga Provincial Board (PB) has started a fire of controversy when they endorsed and issued a resolution making opposition stalwart Loren Legarda as an “Adopted Daughter of Pampanga”, considering her accusations of massive cheating here in the province during the last elections.
Some quarters suggest that it is enough to create a resolution expressing gratitude for her concern for our area for pouring in millions of pesos for various projects from her development funds. But adopting her as Kabalen after accusing us of being cheaters is another story.
It is widely believed also that the implications concerning the action of the province to a known critic of the President has ruffled some nerves and stir some concerns reaching even the palace.
Governor Lapid however allayed these apprehensions saying that no politics is involved in the matter.
The PB earlier signed a resolution conferring her as an “Adoptive Daughter of Pampanga”, following a simple rite honoring the lawmaker for her vital contributions to the province in the form of various projects worth an estimated P300 million.
Mayor Gerry Pelayo, a staunch ally of the President meanwhile lambasted the proponents of the award saying that he is not in favor of it, “alam naman natin na wala pang tinulong sa probinsya, dapat sumuporta siya sa gusto ng Kapampangan”, probably meaning to support the present administration, trusting that the President has the full backing of the people of Pampanga.
Senator Legarda was dubbed during the impeachment of deposed President Joseph Estrada as the “crying lady” for shedding copious tears, disappointed with the failure of the Senate to open the controversial envelope, she and impeachment proponents surmised would put an end to the former President’s reign of power, which apparently did trigger the former President’s downfall.
She however have already made amends with the former President in the last elections carrying the vice presidential nomination of the opposition led by Erap.
On the other hand, it wouldn’t be presumptuous to say now that erstwhile vice-presidentiable, senator, and broadcast journalist Loren Legarda would be running for public office if elections push through next year, and if the outcome of her electoral protest now filed in the Supreme Court continue to gather dust. That is the reading I got when we met recently.
Despite the downpour she and her party, led by long time ally and friend Board member Dong Gonzales, were warmly welcomed by our Kabalens last Monday inside a multi purpose building which she helped build in Barangay Quebiawan in this city.
After being swarmed by the people seeking souvenir photo and rare chitchat with the former senator, I had a chance to get a few quick bits of information from her while she was about to proceed to the provincial capitol to receive the recognition.
Still maintaining her disbelief, and the improbability of losing by nearly as much as half a million votes here in the province and nearly a million in the entire country, the former senator said that she truly believe that she won the last vice presidential election.
“For me that is the greatest vindication and that is the most heartwarming welcome of the Kapampangans to me,” referring to the honor bestowed on her by the province, saying that even before she became a public official, Pampanga has always been closed to her heart as she was often found here visiting Pinatubo victims at the height of the calamity.
Board Member Dong Gonzales, a formidable contender for the third district congressional seat was credited for facilitating most of the projects of the senator. “Nung nanalo ako nilapitan ako ni Dong, tulungan ku raw ang Pampanga.” She said her first project then was implemented in the province.
Legarda, despite the pending protest and obvious differences with the present administration, calls on the people to unite and set aside political colors and persuasion for the benefit of the country.
* * * * *
Text Alert
Pakiusap lang po sa Apache Gang, use quality materials sa paglagay ninyo ng pangtapal sa daan para di po agad masira, isa sa cause ng trapik at accident yan.
Yun pong baha sa may Cleofers di na ba magagawan ng paraan yun, bumabaho ang tubig.
Daan sa Pandan Angeles laging dahilan ng matinding trapik sana gawan ng paraan ng mayor.
(August 4, 2006 issue)
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