Miguel Bulatao
22 Mar 2007

 

Mr. Pontaoe,

It is true that having 100 to 200 million pesos will definitely help mount a credible campaign. But having money is never an assurance of winning. Look at what happened to Isabela in the last elections. The Dy dynasty was toppled by Grace Padaca. I am pretty confident that Governor Padaca did not spend anything close to 100 million pesos. Even if she did, her opponents could have easily spent triple of that amount.

You say we should not mind the 11 years of Lambino’s localized public service since it’s history. So what are we to base our votes on? You mean to say we should not look at a candidate’s track record of public service? That is absurd. How can you even say that Lambino or any other public official did nothing exemplary? Do you have a list of projects completed? Or are you just basing it on whatever you read on paper or watch on TV?

The problem with basing it on media is that most of the time only the bad things are talked about. You can never find a list of projects completed in the newspaper or on TV. Do you know how many kilometers of farm to market roads were paved? How many bridges were constructed? How many farmers were assisted? I’m sure you don’t. I don’t either.

To make an educated comment about a public official’s performance, you should do some research first. Constructive criticism is definitely good. But criticism is never constructive if it is based on inadequate sources.

Eduardo Pontaoe
22 Mar 2007

Mr. Jose Ceralde,

Crying one’s eyes out, whining and grinding one’s teeth…mute and blind on things one could make a difference in is unacceptable. Presumptuous blessings are despicable. Writing untruthful in the Forum is deplorable.

Likewise, if your uncle Iluminado Meneses, a romantic, ain’t a figment of your imagination, I can agree with him. You lost your grip big time on what he meant. Seemed like you don’t know Iluminado. That fiery body behind the clouds he was talking about, is not the sun. It’s a monster of a meteor coming at you at 20,000 mph. One hell of a killer.

Virginia J. Pasalo
22 Mar 2007

 

We cannot say that politicians have failed us over and over again. We cannot entrust ourselves to these people. Instead, trust in your ability to change yourself first. Then maybe, you can change a few more, then your community, then your province. Leave the politicians to disappear in their own acidic content, while you ferment slowly into wine. Then maybe, you can appreciate what it takes to grow a vineyard. It takes patience to grow Pangasinan, so it is important that you develop the foresight, the determination and the genuine love that makes growth possible.

Miguel Bulatao
22 March 2007

 

Mr. Pontaoe,

If you take the time to read my posts, then you will know the reason for my uproar against the Agbayani Dynasty in the making. I wrote there that the reason for my uproar is that Victor is an absentee landlord. I specifically wrote in my post, which you FAILED to read, that I have been going to Urduja a number of times, and not even once was I able to talk to the governor. And I come from TAYUG. So what’s there to be happy about, Mr. Pontaoe?

Sure, you can be happy sitting in your Chicago home but not me. I am a taxpayer and I deserve to be able to talk to my governor. Mr. Pontaoe, you talk as if you know everything, but you are thousands of miles away to even give a statement like those you have just posted.

Media is not a good enough source to base your comments on. You should be where the action is.  I suggest you do some research before barking out irresponsible statements like you just did.

How can you say that Lambino is power hungry? He finished his three terms. It’s just logical to run for the next post isn’t it? Unlike Dra. Agbayani who has never experienced being in public office, and now immediately running for the highest post in the province, as if Urduja is her inheritance from her husband. And now I hear Victor is running for congress. To you they are all the same, all power hungry. Ok, so let’s just not vote for anyone, huh? Is that what you’re trying to say, Mr. Pontaoe?

You claim that Lambino was privy to what Victor had in his brains. How sure are you? Victor from the start of his third and supposedly last term must have already been thinking of fielding his wife. You think Lambino was privy to that too? You think they had coffee together and just talked about this stuff? Of course Lambino had information of his own, but he definitely was not privy to everything in the governor’s office, more so to what was in Victor’s brain.

You say Lambino is a cut from the same broad cloth etc… Have you done your research? Yes, they are both provincial officials, number one and two in the province. Of course they have both participated in all political machinations in Urduja. They have no other choice! It comes with the job. How can you not participate in political machinations if you are a politician? But the similarity stops there. I can point out all of their differences but I do not have the luxury of time. (hmm..sounds familiar?)

 What do you even mean by a “goat farting in a barn”? What kind of a comparison is that? That actually put a smile on my face, imagining a goat farting! You ask if Lambino can deliver. Well, why don’t we find out? We will never know if we allow the Agbayani Dynasty to succeed, right? We have no guarantees. But at least let us find out for ourselves. If he delivers, well and good. If not, then that’s the time we kick ourselves in the butt. But first we must give Lambino, and other aspirants, the chance to govern. We have given the Agbayanis enough time. We are grateful for their service. But it is time to move on.

Eduardo Pontaoe
22 Mar 2007

 

Nini Sison-Centeno,

If your concern is my right to free speech… fire at will… you have that right, too. Alright we go for it. I, advocating the devil, is not only farfetched but light year away. You should have checked what it meant you wouldn’t be so negative in your approach.

For the Forum, “Devil’s advocate is a Roman Catholic official whose duty is to critically examine the evidence where beatification and canonization are concerned”. Comparing me to such an individual is derision. I haven’t been like one and to inform you, I am secular.

Have you heard of constructive criticism, Ms. Centeno? Because if you don’t, I won’t blame you of misinterpretation between constructive criticism and negativism. The former is a critical observation or the evaluation of a thing which its creative meaning is to get something new out of the status quo. The latter, that you grounded your disagreement, is to refuse anything put forward, the stagnation of the mind, and the non- imaginative touch to things changeable.

The problem of Oscar Lambino is not in having a big of a dream for Pangasinan. There’s nothing wrong with that if Lambino dreamed something from the start, a dream he specifically molded in his mind he would do if elected someday. Until now he is SEARCHING FOR THAT DREAM. If that’s the case, he’s not ready. Never mind his record as mayor of Malasiqui. Never mind his 11 years of localized public service. It’s history.

According to reports Lambino is not rich. Where will he get a P100M to P200M war chest to mount a credible effort? Getting this amount would be an affront to what he makes in salaries as VG unless he can prove such amount is legit.

Tell us about it, Ms. Centeno. What he will do at Urduja eclipsed everything. What’s new in his thinking? As far as we know… nothing… nada… nyet… n​ein.​ He’d been with Victor for 9 years and did not do anything exemplary. Don’t give me that jazz about him being the second fiddle and couldn’t do a damn thing. If you’re to be believed the VG is just a flunky, a wall flower if you will. Then why offer the VG to Jamie Agbayani knowing it’s a preposterous job? Why be a VG under Lambino if you can make it as governor?

Jamie A’s refusal is deafening making Lambino’s ear bleed. Can you read the writing on the wall, Ms Centeno? JdV declared Pangasinan free zone. To his each own. No gerrymandering. Your wish it’s Lambino; I hope not wishful thinking.

Jose Ceralde
22 Mar 2007

Mr. Eduardo Pontaoe,

You’re absolutely right, I said the same thing to my friends what you just posted. Two weeks ago, I was discussing what you have clearly depicted in the political scenarios with my friends in the Filipino Association of National Historical Society (FANHS) when they reminded me the wonderful blessings we have in the Philippines. I guess they got to me because I stopped my whining about Philippine politics and the politicians for a week when your posting came out again.

At least, for a week I remembered my uncle, Illuminado Menesses, when he said the sun is always behind the clouds. Sorry, I have to break your political discussion which I earnestly wait for and read just like the TFC teleseries my family watches every afternoon.