WHAT is the latest about our Cabalen, former president and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo? She is maintaining radio silence. Her fans, including me, are asking if she will get back to mainstream politics. Will she relieve her son Mikey in the House and become speaker again? (Cong Mikey is a very effective legislator both on the house floor and in serving his constituents.) Or just remain on the side of lawyer Mike and continue her "apostolic" duties. ( Her apos are all grownups now). She still has that forceful look despite her grandmother years. At any time, she can still make a political resurrection. No one will dare to face GMA in a congressional race in the second district.
I remember there were then the talks around the political circuit in Metro Manila that GMA may become Prime Minister if in the sooner time there will a change in the constitutional structure. But that’s all water under the bridge now.
Those '"Mister Know All" in the big metropolitan region were saying it was only "chismis." The advanced theory was that GMA could be the premier if the shift to federalism will succeed under this new dispensation. And of course, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will remain president. The track was stopped by the veerus. Even the planned Revolutionary Government (Revgov) crashed even before the takeoff.
The business sector in Pampanga is asking what happened to the megalopolis plan for the province. GMA then invited known urban planner Felino '"un" Palafox Jr. to come to Pampanga and got the attention of leading business leaders, the likes of the late Levy Laus, Jess Nicdao, Rene Romero and Bong Mah. And these leaders seemingly were in accord with the megalopolis plan. So this is one good reason she should be there banging the gavel in the House of Representatives once again.
***
As usual, people‘s opinions are split on Lance Corporal Joseph Pemberton's release via a court order and followed by an absolute pardon granted by President Duterte. Never mind what the advanced legal opinions of lawyers are. You know lawyers will debate ten years what’s the meaning of CAN and WILL. I heard it from my tong-its cronies at a tennis club and the majority are for Pemberton’s release. One of them related his experience in Thailand some years back. According to him, he was a seaman and their cargo vessel docked after more than a month at sea in a port near those red-light areas in that country.
Just like any red hot macho who was denied the pleasure of a woman’s company to warm the bed for a period of time, he was so eager to look for a partner. He strolled the streets in that famous red-light district and met a "stunning beauty" with those big bumpers and silky white legs as reflected by the flickering neon lights. His type. So the "negotiation" didn’t take long and was concluded and the pair checked-in to a second rate hotel nearby. There were torrid kissing, smooching while both are undressing bit by bit. Surprise! The Thai partner isn’t a lady. My friend’s blood pressure shot up to the roof and he was in a rage. He held tightly "her" throat and he was homicidal for a moment. Luckily enough, the Thai had the opportunity to run. The end of the story.
NOTES... Kudos to Candaba Mayor Rene Maglanque. His efforts in handling the problems brought about by the pandemic in his town are effectively handled. His town mates are all praises... Bacolor Mayor Diman Datu’s donating his one year salary of more than one million pesos to needy constituents is highly appreciated... Former Provincial Board Member Nestor "Bay" Tolentino will make a comeback in 2022. He is one ideal public servant. He continued his service to the people in his district despite him no longer holding any public office.