What’s the dialog about?

So, the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. have filed their appeals with the justice department against the new revenue tax code of Bacolod. That’s a fact. So, what are the dialoging about?

According to City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, to show that they are not against the politically-motivated case filed by former Congressman Monico Puentevella.

But the leaders of both organizations had already stressed that they have filed the appeals against the tax code precisely because they wanted to show that they are apolitical. That, I think, is proof enough that they are not lackeys of Puentevella nor influenced by him.

In short, they just wanted to emphasize to the public and the DOJ that they had arrived at their decision on their own and were not influenced by Newks.

That some of their arguments against the new tax code follows the arguments of Puentevella’s suit has nothing to do with the former solon or his views.

So why belabor the political motivations? Are the city officials against throwing the politically-motivated issue to show that the leaders of two of most respected and most well-bred organizations cannot think for themselves?

Strange. Their positions and decisions, as they had stated, have nothing to do with Puentevella. At least, city officials should respect them for that.

End of story.

***

The reported death of two soldiers and the wounding of another in Brgy. Andres de Bonifacio, Cadiz City, Tuesday morning shows that New People’s Army is still alive and can move around and make their presence felt.

At least, they managed to kill two members of a platoon-sized unit of the 62nd Infantry Battalion who had responded to a report that a farmer in the area had been leveled guns by the insurgent. Or, suspected insurgents.

But the fact is unmistakable, the soldier were killed in an ambush and another wounded when they stumbled into the “killing zone” prepared by the insurgents.

Officers of the 503rd Infantry Brigada better change their tune insofar as predicting that the NPA has become a spent force.

At least, they have just shown that they are still around and in an area where they normally are not expected to operate.

Psy-war does not win wars. The casualties speak for themselves.

***

It is good that the Provincial Prosecutors office yesterday charged a former army soldier for the killing of four of his nephews and wounding another in a gory incident in Brgy. General Malvar of Pontevedra town.

But I wish to ask the prosecutors whether they had gone out their way to have Army Staff Sergeant Nest for Estrellanes subjected to psychiatric test?

That should prove interesting study of what drives a man to do what he had done to four of his own kin and wound another simply because he was reportedly drunk?

My point is simple. The Army should have made it a point to have their troopers especially those who had undergone combat, to undergo psychiatric test before retirement.

***

Before his remains shall have been returned to the Philippines from London, there are already a lot of speculations about who will run in the place of former Rep. Ignacio Arroyo in the Fifth District of Negros Occidental.

And they have yet to settle the issue as to who can claim the body if Iggy. The wife, Alicia Morales, or his live-in partner for several years until his death in London.

Alicia and Iggy reportedly had an unresolved annulment petition. So, she is still legally his married wife.

The main casualty of the estranged marriage is his 14-year-old daughter. That usually happens when a marriage falls on the rocks. Worse, when the situation remains unsolved for a long time, the child is in the middle of a prolonged spat.

In short, all of us who are married should remember that lesson. Especially if we have children. Marriage is for life. The couples take a vow to remain together for each other for better or worse, in health and in sickness, still death do us part.

But that is a major matter which marriage consultant are at liberty to discuss. Just showing my concern for the sanctity of marriage and the result of a broken marriage.

Now, there are a lot of questions about Iggy’s properties and wealth. He is worth millions if we go with the testimony he had made before the Senate investigation committed when pilloried by Senator Ping Lacson.

That means a lot of money as Jose Pidal. Something like P2.5 million or more.

I suspect that there is going to be a major legal tussle over his fortune.

As of now, however, in the next election, who will run in his place? Grace Ibuna had earlier announced her bid to run in his place. Of course, that’s a prospect that grows dimmer now that Iggy is gone. Besides she does not enjoy a good reputation in the district.

So, who will it be? You have, a report have said, Binalbagan Mayor Alejandrino Mirasol, Board Member Emil Yulo III as well as Board Member Melvin Ibañez having earlier intimated that they may throw their hats into the ring.

But there are others believed to be positioning such as Franklin Fuentebella Enrique Montilla, and former Board Member Lacson.

Of course, that remains to be seen. The opposition may have their own bet for the position.

But the problem is that it is still too early in the game.*

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