DURING political season, if there are killings and attacks or acts of violence, the aggrieved politician usually points an accusing finger at his opponent and claims that the incident is politically motivated. Even when politicians trip on the street or slip on the floor of their house, they immediately blame the incident on their political nemesis.
Last Thursday, April 4, the houses of Sinsin Barangay Captain Aurelio Lascuña and Sudlon 2 Barangay Captain Prescillo Alborez were strafed by unidentified armed men. Nobody, though, was hurt. Lascuña and Alborez are allies of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan.
Why was the “former political has-been” quick to claim that the strafing incidents were politically motivated? Did he have any proof that the incidents had something to do with politics during this campaign period? If the incidents were politically motivated, then the public can accuse Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella of being responsible. Do you think Labella is capable of doing that? I doubt it. This accusation is very unfair to Labella. Di man gani na mangataki o mangaway si Labella, mo-adopt na hinoon og violent nga paagi?
The “former political has-been” ordered the police to solve the twin strafing incidents within 10 days. If not, he will accuse them of being behind the incidents and he will again withhold their monthly allowance from the City Government. He even called Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma the “worst” director the city’s police force has ever had in his 30 years as the local chief executive officer.
Why has he accused the police of being behind the attacks? Is the “former political has-been” insinuating that his opponents are using the police to terrorize those who are not on their side? Kay ngano man nagpagamit na diay ning atong kapulisan sa mga pulitiko?
Is he accusing the police of engaging in partisan politics, worse, engaging in “terrorism” because the city police director is not on his side and he cannot control her? I appreciate Garma because she stands her ground for what is good for her command and she does not engage in politics.
But who used the police in previous elections when the chief of police was under his influence and control? Who ordered the deployment of policemen in the mountain barangays and terrorized the voters there to support his camp? He utilized active and retired police officers to conduct house-to-house campaigns for his slate and those who refused were threatened. Karon kay ang pulis dili naman basta-basta niya mamanduan kay mosukol man ang hepe, reklamo siya. Weder-weder lang na. It’s no longer your time and your end is near.
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Former Cebu City mayor and vice mayoral candidate Michael Rama of Barug PDP-Laban has refused to engage in a debate with his opponent, Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos. He said there is no reason for him to do so since he enjoys a “comfortable lead” in a political survey. Kon sa mga sugarol pa, “mikakak” man si Mike. A survey is different from a debate. A debate is another form of campaigning, which brings the campaign to a higher level so voters will be properly guided and be aware of the candidates’ platform of government. Mike is a lawyer and I think he knows more than Mary Ann. Hadlok siya kay magtuyok-tuyok ang iyang estorya? Mao gyud nay problema ni Mike kanang iyang inistoryahan. Kanta na lang og “Kahit Isang Saglit,” Mr. Mike.