Scrolling down: what the Cabinet secretary said that led to the new bashing; why Duterte should include himself among the "crazy" Visayans; how Daluz's honesty or naivete caused his suspension for six months; why other public officials hiding tens of millions of cash are laughing over the suspended councilor's fate
BUT first, on actor Richard Yap's announcement that he is "seriously" considering to run for congressman against reelectionist Representative Raul del Mar of Cebu City's north district.
Did you know that what Yap first "seriously" considered going after was a seat in the City Council and that he asked the decision makers of the opposition in the city about it?
One of the planners of Barug-PDP Laban, a class or school mate of "Sir Chief," by which he is known in ABS-CBN's series "Please Be Careful with My Heart," persuaded Yap to run for congressman instead.
The city's north district, held by del Mar for several terms, has been the "burial ground" of many broken dreams of aspirants, including a Rama clan member and prominent personality in the entertainment world, Annabelle Rama.
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She said "Tommy"
People who just heard or read snatches about what President Duterte in Laoag City last September 16 said against Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña are wondering what made the president explode anew, the second after his August 29 rant in Mandaue City.
In Laoag, Duterte said "this guy (Tomas) must be crazy," for releasing three crime suspects detained by the police, also slamming the Visayans ("mga Bisaya"). "Mga ganon yan," he said, referring to being mentally unhinged, "I cannot understand how their minds work. Mga gago."
It was a briefing about Typhoon Ompong and Cebu City and its mayor were 1,321.9 kilometers away from Ilocos, so how was Duterte's fuse lit up?
They were just finishing the reports when Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, among the Cabinet members who accompanied the president, remarked about Duterte's Cebuano roots, mentioning Osmeña in her talk.
Acknowledging that his family is "original Bisaya," he said his grandmother is Maranao and his mother half-Maranao. "But for me, I identify myself as a Cebuano. Yan ang tatay ko eh."
Then came the trigger to the explosion, Puyat saying, "Pareho sila ni Tommy, Cebuano." The magic word was "Tommy."
Incidentally, Duterte bashed Visayans for being off their rocker but he also admits he is a Cebuano, a Bisaya. He should say next time, "We Visayans are crazy."
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Who's Margaret Pe-Ong?
She is the woman whose complaint led the Visayas ombudsman to investigate and recommend to the central office the suspension of Cebu City Councilor Jose Daluz III for six months.
The decision, served on Daluz in his office Tuesday (September 18) said Daluz was found liable for less serious dishonesty. Pe-Ong asked for a lifestyle check on Daluz, who, the investigator said, failed to explain the increase of his personal properties from zero in 2006 to P1.029 million in 2007. He concealed the "true source of the funds."
Here's what must puzzle Daluz: He disclosed the estimated amount from various articles left in the family house by her deceased mom, Inday Nita Cortes-Daluz. Had he not disclosed them, he wouldn't have to explain anything as they were mere personal properties. When he wrote them in his SAL and later explained the source, the ombudsman wouldn't believe his explanation. Those who're hiding tens of millions, not just a paltry million, must be laughing over Daluz's honesty or naivete.
Who's Margaret Pe-Ong? Daluz told Torni Frank Malilong in "Frankahay Ta" on dyCM radio Tuesday (September 18) he doesn't know and hasn't met Pe-Ong. But the names are similar to those close to the mayor (Margaret, for Margot) and Pe for Jun Pe, the former councilor and Tomas Osmena's close aide.
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Batting record
The "batting record" of Mayor Tomas Osmeña and BOPK on suspension of rivals seems to be still high, compared to Edgar Labella's and Barug's. Already two opposition councilors have been dismissed or suspended while the many complaints filed by Barug or its surrogates against Tomas and his allies still have to hit their mark.
Apparently, Tomas must still have his access to the right places when it comes to lawsuits.
Tomas though, sensing that his own suspension might be coming soon, said
he was ready for anything, including a repetition of former mayor Mike Rama's double whammy of suspensions during the close of Rama's second term.
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Leo's interview
And finally, a warrant of arrest for libel might be issued against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV by the Davao Regional Trial Court, ahead of any such warrant for coup de'tat or rebellion by two Makati RTCs.
It could be quicker there, the territory of former vice mayor Paolo Duterte and lawyer Manases Carpio.
Trillanes allegedly defamed the two Davaoeños, the president's son and son-in-law, by saying they asked money from Uber and were involved in extortion activities.
Trillanes was reportedly interviewed by Cebu dyAB's Leo Lastimosa, which was made the basis for the libel complaint.
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