TO three U.S. senators -- Marco Rubio, Edward Markey and Christopher Cas -- campaign “Tokhang” in the Philippines is a “campaign of mass atrocities.”
An example of how sloganeering can be used against its author or user. “Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago” of President Duterte’s election campaign has become “Tunay na Pagbabago: Patay Ka, Bata Ka.” Noynoy Aquino’s “Walang Korap, Walang Mahirap” has been bastardized thus: “Korap at ‘Di Mahirap ‘Pag Kulay Yellow.”
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New Year wishes
SOME PEOPLE’S NEW YEAR WISHES for these public officials:
... PRESIDENT DUTERTE: to make pronouncements the nation would not have to wait to be explained, taken back or apologized for.
... PNP CHIEF BATO DE LA ROSA: to talk less and do less clowning; one entertainer in the high echelon of government is more than enough.
... SEN. ALAN PETER CAYETANO: to wait for his official appointment in the executive branch; his straddling on the legislative and executive fences is a disservice to the people who elected him senator; the rejection of his vice presidential bid means he should serve as senator, not as an administration functionary.
... VICE PRESIDENT LENI ROBREDO: to prepare for a more bruising fight with the administration, which may include tackling with an authoritarian rule; she may have to get used to her private life, including her alleged love affair, being brought out in the open;
... CEBU CITY MAYOR TOMAS OSMEÑA: to prepare for the next political exercise (initiative/referendum or recall election) without waging a relentless assault on Team Rama supporters; basic services and good governance don’t have to bear “Vengeance is Mine” label;
... FORMER MAYOR MICHAEL RAMA: to stop moping about his defeat and to shift hopes from his election protest, whose prospects are dim, to his energy in leading a constructive opposition; it would help if he could prove he is innocent of the charge of being a drug protector as effectively as he proved he is not a drug addict (is innocence not presumed? not in these times);
... CEBU GOV. JUNJUN DAVIDE: to continue his more pro-active stance whenever an issue affects his administration; meek posturing almost cost him the 2016 election; but he still has to make big splashes that people expect from a dynamic governor.
[bzzzzz@sunstar.com.ph or paseares@gmail.com]