Jammed

When we were in high school and early college the most awaited weekend activity was known as jam session. It was so-called because we were jammed in a room or an enclosure and the closer we were with the opposite sex, the better.

Then when we got our own cars and the traffic was slow we had a ready excuse for lateness – the road was jammed, clogged up.

The jams I like best for the bread are made of fruits – straw and raspberry, guava, pineapple and mango because they are low on cholesterol and when we cannot take eggs and butter and we can no long indulge in queso de bola. Camote and ube jams are all right for desserts though fruits are better, again to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.

I am reminded of jams due to the recent conflict in Bácolod where “jam” has become a political issue and confirms further the parting of ways of Rep. Anthony Golez and his erstwhile allies in Grupo Progreso headed by Mayor Bing Leonardia. Recently, Golez and Leonardia had a “polite” exchange of words about the project of Sen. Koko Pimentel which the congressman considered unnecessary and wasteful.

I don’t think it was a concern for the people’s money that Golez took a swipe at the project, but that it did not pass through him although Pimentel’s wife is reported to be his partner in the next election. Did Golez ask Koko about the project? Anyway we will comment later because this is another jam that as a lot to do with politics.

Let me get back to this jam that has riled the otherwise soft-spoken Councilor Homer Bais. What’s Homer’s beef?

Well, there is this “Jam Step” dance that is being pushed by Golez and has all the public schools in Bácolod dancing or the latest description, exercising. Golez was even pictured in the newspaper dancing which to some is nice but corny to others.

However, the issue is not the dance itself but that Bais insists that the project should not be used as a political gimmick at the expense of the students and the parents who will have to foot the bill.

Whatever expenses there will be, Bais insists, will be on the shoulders of the parents. This suspicion is bolstered by a lack of information that the project will be paid for by the congressional fund or by the Department of Education that, according to Golez, is supported by DepEd and the Tourism Department. So, who’s footing the bill?

Since the congressman is pushing for the national contest with Bácolod joining to get into the national limelight, who do you think will reap the plaudits in the event of success?

The controversy is not that Bais cannot jam step and Golez can, as he showed it publicly, but rather that the city was not informed, much less consulted about this. Bais has the right to complain because he heads the SP committee on education and sits in the School Board which is the governing body in matters affecting education in the local level.

This simple case need not have erupted into a controversy had Golez, at least out of courtesy, informed the School Board or Mayor Leonardia. It would have been easy but he must be already estranged with Leonardia’s camp.

Even so, they are public officials and the elections are far way, at least chronologically, so that despite their differences they must coordinate. Similarly, Bais should have also, out of courtesy, discussed the matter with Golez.

Of course that is the ideal but the two camps came out lashing at each other in public. The media just loved to have a controversy thrown into their laps. 

Bais talked of politicking without making it clear. However, he need not to because this spat is just another indication of how each group is veering away from each other. Bais is working out to be the running mate of Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson who is interested to succeed Mayor Bing. Bais has several contenders so that it is to his best interest that he is kept in the public consciousness.

He need not work hard, though because he had always been in the top slots in the elections and he has his considerable following plus a good record in the SP. Golez has his favorite for the post so that we can expect a very interesting electoral campaign.

Gemma Ledesma, Bacolod Division Superintendent City says the project is not compulsory and DepEd RD Mildred Garay added that the activity is being held on a Sunday.

However, Homer is right. While it is voluntary the risk remains since students will have to go to school or wherever the Jam Step is being held. Sunday is also rest day for teachers and student. Bais and Golez are now stuck in a jam.*

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