Daily Star LogoOpinions
Bacolod City, PhilippinesMonday, October 15, 2012
Front Page
Negros Oriental
Star Business
Opinion
Sports
Police Beat
Star Life
People & Events
Eguide
Events
Schedules
Obituaries
Congratulations
Classified Ads
Twinkling
with Ninfa Leonardia
OPINIONS

P1 million worth of nuisance

Ninfa Leonardia

The Philippines has another upcoming boxing star. Nonito “The Flash” Donaire lived up to his name when he made short work of Japanese champion Toshiaki Nishiokase by dropping him in the ninth round of their Carson City fight yesterday (in the Philippines, Saturday in the U.S.). Nishiokase was supposed to be the favored one, being more experienced and with several titles to his name. However, he is also seven years older that Donaire, and that must have told.

***

But we cannot fully consider Donaire as our very own, since he is an American citizen now, despite the fact that he was born in Bohol. I hope he has already acquired dual citizenship, so, at least, we can claim to own half of him. But he surely got the support of Filipinos in this fight. I know there are lots of Pinoys, especially Ilonggos, in Carson City, and they must have rooted for him. Truth to tell, I saw only the ninth, and decisive round, having failed to wake up in time for the start of the fight. But that was the most important part, anyway.

***

For sure Donaire will get a winner’s welcome when he comes home, to the Philippines, that is. In fact, President Aquino has already congratulated him, so expect a meeting in Malacañang. But don’t expect one in the White House, because President Obama must be too busy working himself up in order to beat Mitt Romney in their second debate, having lost to him in the first one. Anyway, Obama probably does not even know that Donaire is a U.S. citizen, too.

***

I hope Commission on Election head Sixto Brillantes pursues his plan to require “nuisance” candidates to put up a bond of P1 million when they file their certificates of candidacy. Imagine the extra work such characters are giving the Comelec in having to enter their names in the list for the computerized voting. Aside from that, they also give a lot of trouble when the aggrieved parties file petitions to disqualify them, and the commission has to schedule hearings, and so forth, to be able to act on them. Yes, the P1 million should do the trick, unless their masterminds are so filthy rich that they will not blink before shelling out the amount.

***

Maybe the same should be done for would-be party list groups, some of whom only seem to want their names in the media. But of course we cannot demand P1 million from them as they are supposed to be marginalized and their inclusion is a sort of concession from the government. At the moment the Comelec is busy weeding out the unqualified ones, but others are also sprouting up like weeds, and, so far, reports say about 172 more have applied for the privilege. It was a relief to hear, though, that the elder son of former President Gloria Arroyo, has stopped representing the Galing Pinoy group that is supposed to be composed of security guards and other truly marginalized workers. How could the son of millionaires, as well as of the landed gentry, feel at home in such company?

***

Speaking of former President Arroyo, her doctor says her condition is really worsening and she should not be taken out of the hospital yet. Even if she were to be well enough to leave, her detention quarters should be equipped with facilities like those at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, so she could avail of them when needed. By the way, the one who gives her medical bulletins is the head of the VMMC, a Dr. Nona Legaspi. Who appointed her, by the way?

***

It was quite a busy weekend, with major celebrations in town. Saturday, we were invited to the birthday party for Vice Governor and gubernatorial candidate Lim-ao Alvarez at his beautiful residence at the Capitol Subdivision area, hosted by his pretty and enterprising wife, the former Dolly Kho, and their children. Tents were set up in the wide area enclosed by beautiful trees and flowering plants, and well-wishers included mostly relatives from the south, and partymates from the North. As usual, the girls grouped themselves in their own tables, while the men gathered among themselves, and you have only one guess as to what topic they kept going back to.

***

Last night, it was the induction of the new officers of the Sampaguita Lions Club, the all-female one, now led by the popular Dr. Rebecca Dang Filasol, who has already made her mark in civic activities in the city. The club looks forward to more projects to benefit the city and the province under her leadership. The guest speaker was former Congresswoman Cynthia Villar, better half of the Senator, who is well known for her advocacies for the improvement of the lives of women. Even the men were entranced at her narration about the projects she has undertaken, which, we hope will give a cue to all women’s groups in the province and city as well.*

back to top

Google
Web www.visayandailystar.com
Email: visayandailystar@yahoo.com