Noynoying annoys Palace

Actually, Noynoying, the latest fad among the frustrated Pinoys, seems to have bothered the Palace. This was perceived following efforts by the presidential spokesmen to denigrate it.

But the most telling points was that no less than President Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile took time out to caution President Benigno Aquino III to remain unfazed on the latest tag – “Noynoying” used by militant groups.

Apparently, Enrile must have also felt that Malacañang spin masters must have been sort of discomfited by the latest fad.

Actually, I had talked to several from Manila recently who arrived here in Bacolod to question them about the latest protest action. And they told me that it has become a fad, especially among the young, like students, especially who believe that the President had focused his attention on matters less serious than the many problems that confront the country today.

“It seems to have captivated many, especially among the younger generation,” said my son Nonoy, who is with a TV network.

Another interjected – “it is infectious. Let us wait for the next round” was how he said it.

Well, that’s really something which should stir the President. Of course, lately, he suddenly became very active again. But, as pointed out by critics, it seems that he has left the more serious problems of the fare rate increase and the continuing hike in the prices of motor fuel to just continue without present an alternative to the 12 percent VAT on petroleum products.

But hopefully, something can be found that could ease the plight of the country for full transport operators and workers as well as of the average working man.

***

Rep. Anthony Golez of Bacolod’s lone district, had gone out of his way recently to sort of convince Bacolod residents that he has a political alliance with Jewel Mae Lobaton, the wife of Senator Aquilino Pimentel III.

But that was a short-lived claim. Yesterday, Senator Pimentel torpedoed it by simple pointing out that Jewel’s Mae is not running for vice mayor, pointing out that there is no such thing as a political alliance to talk about.

That must have put a damper on the enthusiastic speculations by Golez rooters who already magnified it as proof that the alliance between City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Golez is now kaput.

Unfortunately, the problem is that Koko is the politico and not Jewel Mae. So that whatever alliances may have been temporarily forged between Golez and her are simply tentative. The final say is still Pimentel’s.

And, although he did not directly address it to Golez, Pimentel took issue with the claim of Golez that the Western Visayas admit Risk Reduction and Multi-Hazard Awareness at the West Negros University Saturday was not worth the time and expense.

“Anybody who considers as a waste of time disaster risk reduction summit does not know his geography and even our country’s history with disasters’ was how Pimentel put it, according to reports.

Adverting to Golez’s involvement in disaster preparedness in Bacolod, Pimentel took time out to state that Golez would be saying that the money used for the training was also useless.

Rosario Cabrera, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Regional head, said Western Visayas has live earthquake generators and has 679 tsunami prone areas. Of these, 172 are in Negros Occidental, she pointed out.

In short, it is an initiative that should be “spared from local politics,” as aptly pointed out.

***

Although the Commission on Elections has yet to categorically set the special elections approved by the House, already political skirmishing has been going on in the fifth district vacated recently by the death of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo.

So far, the leading bets are Board Member Emilio Yulo III and Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol.

That, of course, is what the UNA will decide Thursday as to whom the party will field it special elections. The UNA meet will be called by Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. to select the local alliance’s party bet, reports said.

Others interested to run for the post are Board Member Melvin Ibañez and Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, sister of the late Iggy, and former board member Enrique Montilla.

Grace Ibuna, erstwhile long-time partner of Iggy, though has been recently on television, although she has not clearly expressed interest in running for the post.

But, based on the number of Iggy loyalists who went to Grace during the solons’ wake in Hinigaran town, Ibuna seems to have won a considerable following among Iggy’s constituents.

And she could be a dark horse, just in case. Grace, however, was reported inclined to support Mirasol.

But then, who knows what is going to happen?*

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