The new airport - all dressed up

Even the Supreme Court could not come to terms on it. So the votes came out even - seven for, and seven against - on the issuance of the temporary restraining order that senatorial candidate Koko Pimentel was seeking. Pimentel, who had been leading comfortably before the Mindanao votes came in, found himself swamped with the results from the region at the last days of delayed counting. Unbelieving, he had asked the highest court in the land to stop the Commission on Election that was itching to proclaim his rival, Miguel Zubiri, from doing it.

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Alas for him, Friday the 13th really turned out to be an unlucky day. With the 7-7 turnout from the justices, virtually no decision could be made and it declared that the Pimentel petition was denied. As the Zubiri followers were cheering, Pimentel and his lawyers remained cool, saying the TRO was only one step, there are others. For one there is the Electoral Tribunal where he can still file a protest. I think he can take consolation from the fact that among the seven who voted to grant him the TRO was the Chief Justice himself, Reynato Puno, and three others known for their integrity, Adolf Azcuna, Antonio Carpio and Leonardo Quisumbing. Let's hope the tribunal's conclusion will not also be a tie.

Pinoys the most stressed people in Asia? That was the result of a survey done on seven Asian countries by the Reader's Digest and Nielsen Media Research, two very credible groups. Strange. Wasn't it less than a year ago when surveys also said that we were the happiest people in Asia, that we laughed more and joked more than any of our neighbors? Seems we are no longer as happy and easy-going as before. The survey also showed that our people are now very much concerned about their health.

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I believe that part about concern over health. Have you noticed that in almost every gathering, especially of people above 40, the subject almost inevitably turns to health? People seem to relish talking about their cholesterol, their uric acid, their blood pressure, and their doctors, their operations, their laboratory tests and their medication. You'd be a typical Filipino if you, too, are worried about high cholesterol, arthritis, weight problems, diabetes, sight problems, and, often, also osteoporosis.

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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her party rode through the blinding dust and rough road leading to the new Bacolod-Silay Airport yesterday. This was also the first time for me to see the place and the building itself is quite impressive, and reminds you of the Manila domestic airport - it's just as bright and airy and has facilities and conveniences like the one in Pasay. Yes, the Manila airport is also not in Manila City itself, only a part of Metro Manila. I noticed that the new airport had been set up for the various airlines, and flight schedules lighted up.

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But it is clear that this one will take some time before it can start serving the people of this province. And the first obstacle is the highway leading to it that is, at the moment, nothing more than a dirt road. You can hardly see the vehicle a front of you became of the thick dust it rouses. And then, a very long stretch along it is still sugar land. No wonder a local businesswoman told me that even if it were operational, she would never fly from that airport on its early morning and late afternoon flights. "Ma-ambush ka, ma-hold up ka (you can be ambushed, you can be held up)", she said. Holduppers and robbers can just hide in the canefields waiting for victims, she added.

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So when will the access road be built and how long will it take? One can only wonder how come those in charge never thought of prioritizing the road. The analogy that came to my mind when I viewed the place was that the airport is like a bride who ordered her wedding gown and had it ready before she remembered to make reservations with the church, the caterers and the licenses. And also of the saying, All dressed up and no place to go.

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At least the President seemed to be in a very good mood yesterday, and did not show any of her "taray" traits, but patiently asked when the local officials plan to open it. I heard one official suggested 2010 and people commented, Aha, he's thinking of election year. The presidential visit was short and swift, but she managed to discuss a lot of things with local officials. The media people were a bit disappointed, however, because they didn't get a moment with her, before she sped off through the smothering dust to board her flight -- at the old airport.*

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