Problem overlooked by P-Noy

The impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona seems to have mesmerized us that we have overlooked the fact that the President has failed to so far to address substantial problems of the country.

Some like gas prices, remain in the public eye. Unfortunately, neither the DOE nor the President has come forward with a viable approach to the problem. In short, we seem to have succumbed and just await the developments in the Middle East and how the situation will play out.

As pointed out recently by Iran, this could raise the price of crude oil from $120 to $150 a barrel of oil.

And, with just the subsidy to public transport vehicles (not drivers), it seems that we may soon find ourselves reduced to having private vehicles grounded and only PUJ’s and basis operating.

But the Palace seems to have remained silent on what other steps could possibly help the motoring public. Why they have not even settled yet the price difference between the fuel sold in Manila and Bacolod. And we don’t even have yet the erring gasoline stations who had violated the calibration of their pumps by the DOE. They had exposed these erring stations but only in general terms. Never their identities.

Yesterday, there was a little noticed report that the country now is importing galunggong from Taiwan and other countries. BFAR Director Asis Perez said the agency and the agricultural department were forced to open the domestic market to imported fish because of declining catch.

And that’s about 900,000 metric tons every year. But the fish, including hasa-hasa to galunggong also end up in the wet market.

Other than admit the gravity of the problem, the agricultural department has asked instant the Food and Agriculture Organization to undertake a reality check on why small fisherfolk belong to the poorest in the country and to determine what they can to restore the livelihood of small fishermen.

So, meanwhile, all we are interested in is the daily drama foisted on us by the Corona impeachment trial plus the dramatics of the prosecution, the defense, and the Senator-judges. Nobody seems to be minding the work of addressing the country’s substantial problems. Instead, as they say in Rome, feed them the circus.

Yesterday, for example, I was jarred to learn the close to 100 vehicles and thousands of passengers from Boracay were stranded at Barangay Libertad Nabas in Aklan.

Continuous rains since Sunday evening triggered a landslide in the nearby mountain in Tolingon of Barangay Libertad of Nabas.

Senior Inspector Renante Mattilano, Nabas police chief, said piles of six-foot and 20-meter wide loose soils blocked the highway.

By yesterday afternoon, boulders had already covered the entire highway, in the area.

For me and my family, that was bad news. My late wife Dr. Lourdes L. Espina had bought a free-flowing spring water resort in the upland area from the landslide had originated.

I had just thought of going back and try to find out if we could further develop it so it could earn money or be sold to an interested developer.

But the report virtually demolished my plan to further develop the resort.

***

Sometimes, one commits the mistake of thinking that a former drug addict had gotten over his habit and was not in full possession of his faculties.

But apparently that was not the case of Lyndon Monton, 31, he was arrested by police of Binalbagan town after he had beheaded a six-year old boy and allegedly gouged his eyeballs Sunday night.

Simply because he had been fit to return to normal living by the REACH Drug Abuse Foundation handlers, does not necessarily mean that Monton was completely rehabilitated. Somehow, somewhere in between he must have snapped again.

But the one whom he had shared his intention to slaughter a child should have been alert enough to have notified the police authorities about it. That could have been averted.

Another tragedy had to happen.

***

Will Speaker Sonny Belmonte appoint a caretaker for Iggy’s Fifth District or will he call for an election to the former solon’s constituents?

That remains to be seen, unfortunately, even now, there is still the tug of war over his body in London.

The problem, Belmonte told the DAILY STAR, is he may not able to make up his decision although the likely thing is for him to appoint a caretaker from among two of nearby districts.

But still, the premature speculation continues as to who will run in Iggy’s place in the May polls.

Rep. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said that Board Member Melvin Ibañez was interested in running for the position, but the latter said he will consult with the mayors of the fifth district.

Among the potential contenders for the post are Franklin Fuentebella, Guding Lacson, Binalbagan Mayor Bebot Mirasol, Board Member Dino Yulo, and Marilou Arroyo, sister of the late Iggy.

There seems to be a tug-of-war over the remains of Iggy’s body in London between Aleli, the estranged wife of the dead solon, and his partner.*

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