THAT recent one-on-one between former senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos viewed by tens of thousands netizens raised a rumpus, and the loudest of protest emanated from the “yellow” section.
Was it a one way flow of propaganda? Seemingly no, since the two are not running for any public office. Was there any attempt to twist history? Maybe so. Unfortunately some truths were not discussed in that tete a tete.
The old man is a fox. Juan Ponce Enrile is a survivor, because he knows how to navigate his way through stormy weathers in his life. In his many long running scandals he was always silent, doesn't issue statements, refuses press interviews and just plays candy crush. Remember when the late Senator Miriam Santiago was castigating him in a privilege speech? The fox was unmoved, just focused on his I-pad. Lalong napikon si Miriam. At age 92, I don’t think Enrile will be affected by those criticisms hurled towards his direction.
I am keenly aware, and maybe many other people too that when Martial law was proclaimed in September 21, 1972 suddenly the population was disciplined. Curfew was imposed. There was even a standard haircut for males. Drug problem was solved when a Chinoy was killed by a government- formed firing squad. And we witnessed how government functionaries became unusually honest. But that only lasted for a year. If only that atmosphere persisted continuously, Marcos statues will be mounted in many public places.
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I nearly fell from my chair when I saw a photo published in this paper yesterday showing City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago delivering kuno “an inspiring and motivational message to the traffic enforcers and city marshals during the general inspection in the ranks.” May I suggest to Mayor Edsa to commute incognito by jeep from Angeles City to San Fernando to see him for himself how the traffic is being managed by the enforcers and the marshals.
I hate to say this to Mayor Edwin that the city enforcers are nowhere to be seen on places of action during rush hours. If ever there are some they are either having animated conversations, are texting and having some talks with a jeepney dispatcher. Along the route that needs enforcers are Paning’s intersection, road to Holy Angel Village, 301 road in Telebastagan, Balite intersection, De La Paz intersection, Sindalan underpass, and many others on the route. And maybe the shopping malls can be supported by the enforcers. Anyway, the mall owners pay taxes and the constituents shopping there should be protected. Look mayor, more enforcers should be fielded between the two giant malls SM and Robinsons. Hopefully you won’t get angry on these constructive suggestions.
Tidbits: C vs. C in Mabalacat. Christian Halili vs. Cris Garbo. Halili maybe lacking in finances, and Garbo’s advantage over him is being the incumbent... VC stands for Vilma Caluag. She is determined to give Edwin Santiago a good fight... AC for AC. It means Alex Caugiran for Angeles City. BE means Bryan-Edu. Haven’t seen yet the logo of Pogi Lazatin...
The following will breeze through in next year elections: number one on my list is Teddy Tumang of Mexico and number two is Digos Canlas of San Simon. The battlegrounds are in Porac, Magalang, Mabalacat and San Fernando. The rest I will make a summary in succeeding columns.