Monday, February 04, 2008 Pangan: Civility By Benjie R. Pangan At Close Range
THERE'S civility in debates. There should be.
Most of us must have seen on television the debate between Democrat presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, USA, the important debate between two sitting senators -- Clinton from New York and Obama representing Illinois, saw the two protagonists prepared, articulate and well-versed in all aspects of US politics, economics and governance.
Some of us might have wished that this type of civility were present in Philippine setting among election candidates instead of the usual black propaganda, mudslinging and vicious backbiting prominent in campaign sorties and election paraphernalia of candidates.
In the Clinton-Obama one-on-one encounter, the televiewer did not note any animosity between the two contenders aiming to take over from current President George W. Bush. There were no serious personal insults and insinuations, although innuendoes were hurled at each other regarding one's lapses in previous dealings but the discerning American voter must have noticed who has put up the best arguments.
Now we wish we could have the same kind of conciliatory mode, temperance and moderation in Philippine style of debates.
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While on this, we can still remember how immediate the losers in the US elections extended their hands, in a magnificent gesture of grace in defeat, to the victors without rancor or bitterness displayed by the losers.
Ah, here in the Philippines, it's an entirely different scenario: no loser in the elections ever conceded defeat because for him, he was cheated out of victory.
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Another Visayan president in 2010? It has been some 47 years since the Visayas had a president in the person of Carlos P. Garcia of Bohol. Is it farfetched now to assume that Senator Mar Roxas may become the next president of the country?
Most of the contenders might come from Luzon who will divide among themselves the island's total votes with Roxas, of course, registering considerable scores here.
Lest I be misunderstood for campaigning this early, I dare say that Mar Roxas has the credentials, competence and vision to lead us from 2010 onward. Puedeng puede si Mr. Palengke. Maayong buntag, Mr. Senator.
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Onward to cityhood. Assuming that Mabalacat finally gets the endorsement of the Provincial Board (PB) this week, there is much work to do afterward. The sponsor of the bill in Congress, Representative Carmelo F. Lazatin will need documents, paperwork and legwork to complete the task.
As in building a house, the finishing touches are the more laborious tasks and on them depend the outcome of the whole construction. I learned that Cong Tarzan had assured Mayor Boking Morales that he will follow up on his bill so that before the year ends, the cityhood drive of Mabalacat will get clear signs of being approved in Congress. Please note that there is the required plebiscite by the electorate of Mabalacat.
There lies the big battle, what with stiff opposition from some quarters, including prominent businessmen and professionals.
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Mabalacat bus terminal. I will continue to chronicle the ongoings in this Mabalacat landmark in my next columns. Its management therefore should not revert back to being complacent, instead, it should endeavor to work hard to improve on the services it currently dishes to its patrons, di ba, Mayor Boking?
