IT IS not all the time that this corner criticizes. Frankly, if I have a choice I would rather be extolling virtues but these days when we are overwhelmed by negative pulses searching for a person with dignity and character or a corporate firm which focuses more on its clientele first and revenue next is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Just the same I shall attempt to depict in this piece who have been the good, the bad, and the ugly in 2014. Let me forewarn my readers anyway that this is strictly personal.
As we all know, 2014 had been replete with revelations detailing the scams in the national government, revealing who tutors the scam artists and how kleptomania during the Marcos era has metamorphosed into a grand kleptocracy under the present regime.
But let me give credit to where it is due. Surviving the magma of corruption and inefficiency in the Aquino Cabinet are Ramon Jimenez of Tourism, Albert del Rosario of Foreign Affairs, Bro. Armin Luistro of Education. The NPAs (non-performing assets) are Carlos Jericho Petilla of DOE and Proceso Alcala of Agriculture. Focus on her job is Kim Henares of BIR. Best on Tutorial Job on Strategies of Corruption is DBM Sec. Butch Abad, while Best Student on Corruption is Janet Napoles.
Most indecisive cabinet member is Ramon Paje of DENR while the brighter than the World Health Organization is Over-acting Health Sec. Janette Garin. Over-rated by his boss is DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson. Justice Sec. Leila Delima sees Rodrigo Duterte neutralizing lords of drug and criminal syndicates but cannot see big-time drug and criminal operators doing their thing in luxurious apartments inside the penitentiary, which she directly oversees. Most incompetent is Joseph Emilio Abaya of DOTC while the most impotent is Rehabilitation Czar Peng Lacson.
The blackest cabinet member is VP Jojo Binay not because of his complexion but the tsunami of corruption charges. Still the best pick-up boy is Mar Roxas.
The rest of the cabinet members are… never mind.
The senate, the upper house, is a snake pit. The weaker species are in jail while the rest are still at each other’s neck. The Blue Ribbon Committee is all sound and fury.
The house of representatives is an extension of Malacanang. It’s inhabited by lapdogs which have insatiable appetite for PDAF. The alliance wants to come up with a new dictionary to redefine Meriam Webster’s definition of “savings” to dovetail with their dubious agenda. The book will be released soon thru the National Bookstore. It is titled. The Mobster’s Dictionary. I heard however that NB declined to distribute it.
Closer to home, the most respected leader of Mindanao and considered by business and political sectors as the last hope of Mindanao to have a President in Malacanang is Davao City Mayor Rodigo Duterte. Unfortunately he personally rejected all calls for him to gun for the Presidency. But he believes in destiny… like if God wills then he cannot decline. But already he had warned God that He will have a problem with him if He installs him as President. Why? He will eradicate drug lords and criminal syndicates including those whom Secretary Delima and CHR head Etta Rosales worry of their rights. That’s a bloody idea. He too will abolish Congress as it has become a virtual spawning ground of corruption. He proposes to privatize SSS and GSIS to maximize the benefits to members and eradicate the millions of pesos the members of the board unabashedly award unto themselves.
My best Choice for Governor is Corazon Malanyaon for steering back Davao Oriental from the state of calamity to becoming one of the country’s top rice producing province, to be the cacao capital of the country and top exporter of pepper in the Philippines. These against all odds.
Leaving an enormous legacy of projects to his political constituents is Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario. But he is not about to call it quits with politics. He has set his eyes in the Island Garden City of Samal and Talicud Island which he hopes to be the Philippines next tourist destination. He hopes to bring sanity to the local government of Samal. To do that he has to be Mayor, which is a welcome proposition. Ask any Samalenyos.
IGACOS in fact will have the best in the coming year as Anflocor Chairman Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo is coming back as Congressman of the 2nd District.
But who will be the successor of Dolfo as governor of Davao del Norte? Anton Lagdameo is it, but as family tradition, according to Tonyboy, Anton has to ask permission from Governor Dolfo first.
There are heirs apparent and there are heirs apparent. Erstwhile City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte had been declared by Digong as his successor. In nearby Tagum, ChiongUy (“CO”) is coming back otherwise you will not see his Christmas greetings in FB.
Best Service Company: Davao Light & Power Company. Best Water Utility: DCWD – still supplying the world’s second best water and best manage Class A water utility. Best Insurance Firm: Philamlife for having the biggest asset and liquidity to back up its commitment to clients. Best Telecom Firm: PLDT, Good Mobile Firm: Globe Telecom. Bad Corporate Communications Head: Globe Telecom. Best Mall: SM Lanang, for providing a convention center large enough to accommodate national conventions. Good: Abreeza for comfortable shopping and having exclusive outlets. Good: GMall for convenience and accessibility to downtown shoppers. Bad: Victoria Plaza for dirty toilets. Emerging to be the best destination for parties for its delectable cuisine, ambiance and reception: The White House Fusion Cuisine & Wine Lounge at the hill at the corner of J. P. Laurel Avenue and Buhanging Road.
Best Hotel: Marco Polo for maintaining its standard of excellence. Good Hotel: Park Inn for getting the large chunk of tourists in Davao City. Good Hotel: Mandaya for catering to medium size functions and located in the heart of Davao City.
Best Police Force: Davao City Police under Col Vicente Danao for maintaining the highest standard of police service and keeping peace and order in the City. Best City Government Office: Drainage and Demolition Office headed by Col. YusofJimlani. Best City Department: City Environment and Natural Resources Office under Liza Maderazo. Most sought after government official: Christopher “Bong” Go.
Most controversial DPWH project: Bacaca Road. Most Controversial Private Project: Peking Duck Dressing Plant of Vicente Lao located inside protected area. Mystery of the Year: Disappearance of thousands of DPWH Chevron signs along Carlos P. Garcia highway (diversion road) in Maa.
Movement of the Year: Federalism.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!