Scrolling down: check out the rumor about Duterte's health, Bong Go's play of words on "coma" (with "kama" for bed and "Coma" for Joma Sison, the talebearer); the speculation about having two holidays on one day and his flying to Cebu instead of staying in Manila; Councilor Joel Garganera's explanation about the "BOPK lechon" that he ate last August 7, hitting back with the note that BOPK councilors shared to with Barug "chow fan" and "lumpia"
FIRST, the rumor (again) about President Rodrigo Duterte's health. It came from an unfriendly source, Jose Maria "Joma" Sison of National Democratic Front who wrote on Facebook that Duterte was "in a comatose state."
Joma's source? "Those who saw" the President Saturday night, August 18 at a Lex Taliones frat (San Beda College) national conference in Davao City noted that Digong was "darker" in appearance and was "unstable" in walking. Not much of a source and a report.
Duterte's close-in aide Bong Go ridiculed Joma's claim by saying the prez was indeed on a "cama" (bed) and "C" should replace the "J" in Joma's name. Bong said he talked with Duterte on the phone at 2 a.m. Monday (August 20). Not much of denial either. Bong didn't see his boss up close and, even if he did, he's no doctor. Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque said Digong is "healthy. No supporting fact but Duterte is presumed to be in good health unless proven otherwise, right, Atty. Harry?
Duterte is scheduled to fly to Cebu Tuesday (August 21) for the Eid'l Adha observance. Maybe, those who see him up close can give a more detailed, albeit non-medical report, on the state of his health.
Cebuanos in Makati incident
At least two persons with ties to Cebu were involved in the arrest of three lawyers in a Makati City bar last Thursday (August 16) and the controversy that followed:
* One of the three lawyers hauled to the police station was Lenie Rocel Rocha, 25, who graduated from University of San Carlos, described by her boss as proficient in international law, legal writing and "articulate in oral advocacy." She was also a moot court champion in the Philippines and abroad. Skills that didn't keep her and fellow lawyers out of jail. Rocha, a daughter of a police officer, went to Manila to specialize on international law.
* A partner of the Desierto and Desierto law firm, which the bar owner hired to defend him against the charge that his nightspot was selling illegal "party drugs," is Diane Desierto, an expert on international law who graduated from U.P. Diliman and Yale. Diane defended on media her lawyers by calling out the police action against them. The law firm lists Aniano Desierto, the country's second ombudsman (from 1995 to 2002, who before his stint at Judge Advocate General's Office, serving ultimately as deputy JAG, spent many years as reporter, anchor person, commentator and manager of Manila Broadcasting Co. in Cebu. Another Desierto, Dante, is also listed as senior partner in the law firm.
Two holidays on one day
It's Ninoy Aquino Day Tuesday (August 21). a non-working holiday. It's also Eid'l Adha, Feast of Sacrifice. The Ninoy holiday is prescribed by law, Republic Act #9256. The Islam festivity, which falls on August 22, has been lumped by the president's Proclamation #556 with the Ninoy observance, making August 21 this year as a two-holidays-on-one-day celebration.
The rumor mill hums with the speculation that Duterte did it to dilute the importance of the Aquino holiday. His decision to mark the Eid'l Adha in Cebu, instead of the Ninoy fete in Manila, seems to boost that theory.
PS to 'lechon' teasing
Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera -- whom Mayor Tomas Osmeña teased or "made tumboy," depending upon which version you're accepting, for eating BOPK lechon -- struck back by saying Barug Team Rama also provided "chow fan" and "lumpia" for the members of the City Council on that marathon session of August 7. And when they did so, no Barug councilor was saying BOPKs were eating Barug food.
In contrast, Kons Joel said, Tomas, who didn't even own the "pork lechon" (Franklyn Ong provided it, for his inaugural appearance as new councilor), shamed Garganera for joining the food-fest. Joel said he merely honored the invitation of Tomas's wife, Councilor Margot.
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