Former Chief
Justice Renato Corona?

Offhand, one can deduce that chief Justice Renato Corona may have to go as head of Supreme Court.

Despite my misgivings about the tactics used by the prosecution and Malacañang against him during the impeachment trial by the Senate, it seems that the preponderance of the issues raised against Corona are weighed against him. And the only way is for Corona to go down as the first Chief Justice of the Philippines to have been ousted.

But, of course, that is just guess work on my part. One cannot fathom the perception of the senator-judges about the proceedings and the way it went.

Anyway, I think the only thing we can do now is just to wait for the final verdict of the senator-judges. Anything can still happen.

***

The more important thing insofar as the Diocese of Bacolod is concerned, is that all eyes and ear are trained on the revamp within it. This was announced yesterday by Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra.

Of course, some had leaked out. But every time Bishop Navarra was asked about it, his only answer was “secret”.

As usual with such moves, there will be opposition from some quarters. Some parishioners may clamor to hold on to their parish priest, pointing out that he has been the best to handle the parish.

But we hope that this protest does not escalate into a major uproar. And all, including the priests themselves, accept the verdict by the council which had helped the bishop in placing the candidates for whatever position where he really could do a lot for the church and the faith.

Kudos, of course, goes to Fr. Felix Pasquin. He has been named as vicar general.

Msgr. Victorino Rivas, however, remains as judicial vicar of the diocese and rector of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine.

Pasquin also remains as rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral and vicar forane of the vicariate of San Sebastian. An addition, he also heads the Social Communication Commission.

In short, our kudos to Pasquin. And also our congratulations to Msgr. Rivas who has performed well as vicar general of the Diocese.

But it is to the credit of Pasquin that he had managed to convince business tycoon Sammy Palanca to put up the Blessed Pope John II tower at the Reclamation Area. This has now become the favorite destination of many visitors and tourists to Bacolod as well as domestic supporters of the late Roman Pontiff.

And the San Sebastian Cathedral has never witnessed as much improvements and constructions as it did during Pasquin’s term as rector of the Cathedral. I shall dwell later on the new assignments and the reaction of parishioners of the old the new assignments of the priests.

Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (4th Dist. Negros Occ.) announced yesterday that the committee on Energy of the House of Representatives may soon investigate the sudden increase of electricity rates by the alleged congestion of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and the wholesale Electric Spot Market in the franchise areas of Ceneco and other electric coops the province.

This has long been overdue. And Ferrer is the only one who dared do it. And we hope at it can solve many of the problems confronting the Ceneco consumers most of whom have complaining that they can hardly afford now the cost of power.

Another area of major interest for Negrenses is the ongoing campaign for the congressman of the Fifth District of Negros Occidental. The contest is between board member Dino Yulo and Binalbagan Mayor Bebot Mirasol.

Somebody approached me over the weekend asking if I were in favor of Yulo. Unfortunately I do not know Dino well. Neither have I known Bebot.

In short, I was just commenting on the perception by observers on what has been happening in the fifth district.

But, of course offhand, whether we like it or not, Bebot has the advantage because he has the support of almost all the mayors of the district. And these town executives are certainly working hard to make Bebot win. Although he had been going around the district for sometimes Dino still has to measure up to the achievements of Bebot. As mayor of Binalbagan, he has done wonders for this town, now of the most prosperous and procession in the province.

Dino, on the other hand, is a high-profile and PR-oriented official. Bebot, meanwhile, is low key and opts to have his achievements speak for themselves.

But Bebot, has an ace up his sleeve. He has the full support of the LP and the United Negros Alliance and the Support of Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon, Jr.

Now, that’s something favoring Mirasol. But then, as I had earlier said, this is an election. And the final outcome will not be what observers recount but that votes when counted.

I had predicted a close fight. So with Gov. Maranon. Let’s just wait for the outcome of the balloting. That will be the final verdict.*

back to top