Calling Police Chief Coronel!

So Abigail Binay, the congresswoman daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay has filed her certificate of candidacy as mayor of Makati. Is this a sign that the family now believes that the chances of the suspended mayor, her brother Jejomar Jr., or Junjun, getting back his position, are very dim? In her order dismissing Junjun, the Ombudsman also stated that he was perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

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The order also noted that Mayor Binay has been charged with multiple counts of graft, and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents, before the Sandiganbayan for the construction of the Makati City Hall II. Why Makati had to have another city hall was somewhat difficult to understand, unless, the suspicions that the construction would open another fountain of funds for some people are justified. Anyway, the candidacy of another Binay from the same family may be meant to prove to the country how influential they are, and how sure they are of the support of Makati voters.

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Meanwhile, while there do not seem to be similar problems in Manila, it looks as if it is now an aging city compared to the new, younger ones that have come to the fore in recent years. Note that even the candidates aiming to become its mayor are all elderly ones. The incumbent, former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada, his predecessor Alfredo Lim, and Amado Bagatsing are all way past the ages for those classified as senior citizens. As such, can their plans and ideas for the development of the city catch up with, say, Taguig and Makati, still be relevant? There doesn't seem to be any young candidate wanting to take over now. There used to be a classical song “In Old Manila” that my late aunts, who were taking up singing lessons, used to sing. Should that be its theme-song now?

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Oh, oh, has there been another change of mind for Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte? Will we see him actually filing his certificate of candidacy for the presidency today? Yesterday's news carried reports that he may file it today, and some even said he has already signed the CoC form that he will file in Manila today. This, the reports also said, was because he was finally allowed by his daughter, Sara, to run! Who would believe that as strongwilled and fearless a man as Duterte is, he could be “under the saya” of his daughter? If he does run, and wins, will it be Ms. Sara who will be calling the shots in Malacañang?

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Don't you find it interesting to note that there are so many who have filed their CoCs for various positions as independents? And this involves almost all positions, for congressmen, governors, mayors, vice mayors and councilors. Some of them may make it and that will mean a lot of independence among the ones voted in. However, expect also that many of them will be dropped by the Commission on Election when it is found out that they do not qualify for the offices they are seeking. Well, that is how it is in a democracy.

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But the most astonishing news lately is about the possibility of Bongbong Marcos teaming up with Miriam Defensor Santiago as her vice president. Who would ever think that can happen? But then politics is a strange activity, where today's foes may be tomorrow's allies. As for Bongbong, if the report is true, and if Madame Miriam confirms it, that is the wisest and the luckiest move he has ever made. But let's wait for today's developments on this. And, especially, what Miriam, with her gift for words, will say.

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Despite so many complaints about jeepneys going through Araneta Street at night with their lights off, our traffic police do not seem to have taken any action to stop this dangerous practice. With the streetlighting not sufficient enough, pedestrians often cannot see oncoming vehicles and this has caused accidents in the area. The DAILY STAR has lost an employee sometime ago, who was ran over by a jeepney because he did not see it coming, and the driver also admitted not seeing him. The poor man, who was already disabled, lost his life due to the lack of lighting in jeepney and our Police should be blamed if another similar case happens because of their negligence. Does this also happen in other parts of the city? Acting police chief, Melchor Coronel, anong say mo?*

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