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Bacolod City, PhilippinesTuesday, October 9, 2012
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OPINIONS

Lesson One for
Leni Robredo

Ninfa Leonardia

Poor Leni Robredo. This early, she is finding out how vicious and scheming, and quick to find defects and loopholes, people who are steeped in political savvy can be. Just as soon as she had allowed herself to be persuaded into filing her certificate of candidacy, the family of one of her opponents-to-be has already pounced on her, casting doubts on her honesty and integrity.

***

As reports had it, Mrs. Robredo, who had once said she would never consider going into politics, was finally coaxed and convinced that her entry would save her district from the clutches of the dynasties whose long-running rivalry was holding back the progress of their area. To pave the way for her, two of the four announced candidates for the first district of Camarines Sur, had withdrawn their candidacies, leaving the field to her and the two other women, Nelly Villafuerte and Charina Ante.

***

The latest reports say that Rep. Luis Villafuerte, husband of Nelly, is questioning the CoC of Leni Robredo, saying it was dated days ago and yet she was saying that she had decided at the last minute. This was a shock to the neophyte, who explained that she did not know that those pushing for her candidacy had already prepared the documents and had them ready for her to sign once she agreed. That was Lesson Number One, and now she should look for what her other opponent will do as Lesson Number Two!

***

Meanwhile, we can only wonder what the people of Venezuela are feeling now that their election is over and long-staying strongman Hugo Chavez has been reelected. Earlier, reports were claiming that the Venezuelans were hoping for a change in administration, having had enough of the dictatorship of Chavez. Indeed, I remember having met an overseas worker, now a long-time resident of Venezuela, who was telling us about the conditions they lived in there.

***

He confirmed that Chavez was following in the footsteps of Moammar Gadhafi, and that was why his people were afraid of him. But when he realized that I was a journalist and may write about what he said, he became frightened and begged me not to do so. I pooh-poohed his fears, asking him how Chavez could find out what I would write and he said, you never can tell, he has tentacles everywhere. I wanted to tease him, but realized that this was not the type of Pinoy anymore who could have joined EDSA. He has been brainwashed to the bone, alas.

***

But maybe Venezuelans are thinking that they could have some relief later because Chavez is confirmed to be suffering from cancer and, in fact, during the past year he was known to be always out of the country, seeking treatment. At the moment, he is said to be in remission, and is feeling on top of the world. He should remind us of our own dictator who ruled for two decades, but spent the last years hiding his terminal ailment from us all, while trying to hold on to his office. But will the Venezuelans be able to work up the guts to do what our people did at EDSA?

***

Bacolod Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson has good reason to nag the Department of Public Works and Highways about the state of the roads in Sum-ag. For years now, that area has deteriorated so badly that it has become a notorious example of neglect by the officials concerned. I guess Thaddy had to focus on that now, because some people in Bacolod, and even those from the southern towns, seem to think that this is the fault of city officials.

***

The truth, as Thaddy has explained, is that the highway is classified as a NATIONAL road, which means the national, and not the provincial or city government, is responsible, and has the funds for its repair or construction. Neither the city nor the province can work on it, even they wanted to, as that would be against local government regulations. For a while, Sum-ag residents told me, they were hoping that the new congressman would finish what the former one did not do, but, to their disappointment, nothing happened.

***

Yesterday was the birthday of artist Bamboo Tonogbanua which he shares with local couturier Lourdes Lipa, and they decided to mark it on Sunday by honoring, not themselves, but the visiting balikbayan couple, Dominic and Delia Pangborn, from Michigan, U.S.A. Delia is the siter of Lourdes and Emma Lipa, and it was an opportunity for them to introduce the couple to their mutual friends at the party held in Bamboo’s iconic residence, where we shared his equally iconic menu, consisting of fare you don’t savor anywhere else. It was a very successful get-together, and a very worthy welcome for the Pangborns, as well as milestones for Bamboo and Lourdes.*

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