My quarry team just caught a guy, apparently a quarry or desilting operator, with receipts marked CDC. The receipts indicated you were charging P75 charged per truckload, way, way below the standard. I am not sure if the guy is legit or not. We definitely don't have his name on our list.
If he's on yours, we would appreciate your confirmation. In fact, if it is not too much to ask, we hope you can provide us with a complete list of your quarry or desilting licensees in Clark.
Just as well, I prefer that we meet another time to tackle certain issues over authority and jurisdiction over quarry operators, especially as regards payment of required fees or taxes.
A single day's briefing would be too much for me. I'm also getting warier of seat-of-the-pants decision, especially when it's another person's pants.
I do not want this matter to unnecessarily veer toward turf issue, cognizant of your special powers as CDC head. All I want is for both of us to give our common advocacy on good governance and against corruption, especially in the quarry sector, the proper coordination necessary. After all, if the devil is on the details, shouldn't we on the opposite be more nitpicking?
You are aware of where they are demonizing me now, of course. The quarry collection is going down in proportion to those going up against me. I'm digging deep into my philosophy to make sense of this. I know you can help.
I, therefore, look forward to a second round of friendly and learning exchanges between kindred souls. Send my regards to Nona who, I thought, would have been perfect as Ched boss. But I agree wholeheartedly with our kabalen Chief Justice Reynato Puno: some things in life are destiny. In my case, I prefer miracles.
See you, then -- definitely not in court -- soon.
Sincerely, Gov
Dear Mayor Oca:
I am asking your usual kind and ready assistance, once again, to ease me of my current headache at the provincial capitol. Don't worry, my heart is well taken care of. How's yours, by the way?
As you know, the Balas boys have become a daily pest since the day they started making noises and putting up those dirty-minded streamers at the Arnedo Park.
Like you, I believe in free speech. But I don't think the Arnedo is the right place for it. I've been told it's not even a freedom park, notwithstanding the board members' resolution. What can I expect from them, anyway?
I am aware of your unyielding and deeply-embedded commitment to democratic space. I also recognize your authority and power under the law over rally permits. I have no plan or intention, whatsoever, to challenge them in any way., in court or before public opinion.
So are my opponents. But my overwhelming sense is that they are taking advantage of it, at my expense. Indeed, it has all come at my expense. And I can't fight back in kind because of who I am. Times like these, I wish I were like you: tough as nail and always on top.
For this reason, I am proposing a happy compromise. While the issuance of rally permits are fully within your authority, may I suggest that the next time they do make a similar request, kindly refrain from issuing any. Any pretext will do. Instead, you can direct them to my office. I'll take care of them at my end.
I believe this is a small sacrifice on you part, compared with mine, considering that I have to put up with all these daily fare of disparaging and malicious attacks against me right in my own backyard. I'm supposed to be the governor, but these Balas boys are like spoiled brats treating me like their lowly-paid governess.
I will highly appreciate your prompt and positive response to my request.
By the way, it's not true that I endorsed you or denied having endorsed you as my possible candidate or successor. Local media are in the habit of distorting what I say, for obvious reason. In this case, they want to put a strain on our good relationship, knowing how much we value our friendship and our shared advocacy for good governance. No doubt you can do a better job when or if I leave, whichever comes first.
I suspect one of your relatives in a local paper may have a hand in this. But such is life. You can choose your administrators at your own pleasure but you can't select your relatives at your displeasure.
