Jeremias Andrade Carrera
28 Mar 2007

 

Mr. Ramos:

First, let me say that you can keep on displaying and impressing to us that indeed you traveled to those countries outside their tourist belts. Most of the readers of this forum using their “adequate mental capacity” think that a factual comparison on economic condition, unemployment rate, crime rate, inflation, environmental pollution, etc, etc, cannot be done by just taking a “vacation” or “getting out of this small island of GUAM” to those countries since to do the comparison properly, one needs to collect, collate, analyze data.

To know the comparison, one does not need to be exposed to danger (Iran, Iraq, Nigeria) or spend money unwisely, and it is more accurate and just a click away-CIA WORLD FACTBOOK or Google it.

Finally, I must tell you that I do get out of this small island routinely but mostly to the CONUS (east up to the west) for professional development and continuing education seminar for professional engineers. Those seminars (not vacation) led to my appointment as the QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER and “getting off my kesters” up at ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE to watch the performance of the contractor of the largest water supply project of the base. I do not have time for the B.S. you suggested-watching crabs climb the coconut trees or blue footed boobies since there is none.

Next time, if you want to impress the readers of this forum, do it better and be accurate.

Ms. Ric
27 Mar 2007

What kind of disaster are these Dagupan City health workers preparing for… Headaches, scrapes, and cuts? These “disaster preparedness kits” do look attractive and colorful, but what exactly is in these kits the size of a woman’s purse?

And is that JDV’s picture emblazoned across the front? I’m to assume JDV is not violating the Fair Election Act, which is as convoluted as the resolution 7838 and 7767, not to mention all the sections that go with it. I had to read the article titled “Comelec reminds candidates on illegal campaign materials” three times, and it still doesn’t make sense.

No wonder politicians can do as they please with their propaganda. These Comelec Resolutions are full of loopholes after loopholes. And WE expect the common voter to actually understand what they’re voting for?

Ms. Ric
27 Mar 2007

 

It’s too bad that they could only give awards to ten teachers in Dagupan. I’m sure most, if not all, of their teachers are deserving of such award. If Brian Lim truly wants to inspire and recognize teachers’ diligence and hard work, then he should work at pooling his resources and give ALL their teachers some kind of a bonus. Or better yet, spend that money he is wasting on popularity contest to give their teachers professional development training where even the kids can benefit from.

Godofredo Sison
27 Mar 2007

 

It is unfair to blame every problem of Philippine society on the present administration. Take for example the extra- judicial killings of mediamen and political activists. Yes, the administration is definitely liable to solve and prevent these killings, and yes they have failed miserably at it. But to say that it is the administration that ordered these killings is unfair and biased.

President GMA and her administration are already taking a beating regarding this issue. These killings do nothing to improve GMA’s ratings. Why would the President and the current administration order these killings when in fact it would do more harm than good for them? Yes, they will eliminate their enemies by killing them one by one. But for every anti-Arroyo person killed, there will be thousands more to follow. So what good is it for the administration to kill all these people?

Outside pressure is mounting. The US, EU, and the United Nations. If GMA had a hand in these killings, wouldn’t she stop by now instead of risking being tried in an international tribunal like Saddam? And by stopping the killings (if she was responsible for them in the first place) she would get all the credit for being able to solve these crimes and she would even prevent another uprising by the people. Wouldn’t that be the most logical thing to do?

Before we blame GMA for everything, let us first examine the issue thoroughly. These killings could be the work of ultra leftist groups in a bid to destabilize and overthrow the government. Of course, by killing the anti-administration people, the first one to be blamed will be GMA and her administration. Why would GMA even give the order to eliminate tabloid writers who are virtually unknown? She would not waste her time on that. If she truly wanted to eliminate all opposition, she is better off killing the likes of Allan Peter Cayetano, Gringo Honasan, Satur Ocampo, Jojo Binay, etc. Of course these people are harder to kill, but being President would make it a lot easier.

On the other side, we can blame the administration for a number of things. One would be the slow and unsuccessful investigations regarding these killings. This is definitely under the administration’s responsibility. These crimes must be solved soon and those responsible must be sent behind bars.  Also, the administration should step up on its efforts to prevent these things from happening. These are things we can definitely blame the administration for.

Now with all due respect to Archbishop Cruz, I believe it is not proper to blame these killings on the administration alone, as if it was GMA and company that ordered these killings. You wrote in your column that “the present administration even managed to achieve excellence in extrajudicial killings.” I might have misinterpreted your statement (my apologies if I did) but it comes off as if GMA’s administration is solely to blame for these killings.

I will not argue that it is the administration’s responsibility to stop and solve these crimes. I will not argue that they are failing miserably. But neither will I blame the administration for it, not without having concrete evidence.

Before we go on pointing fingers, let us examine all the facts. Without concrete evidence, we cannot just blame anyone at our convenience. The moral for all of us is as simple as the 8th commandment- Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Eduardo Pontaoe
27 Mar 2007

On the assumption Gonzalo’s talking about is unimpeachable, the Cayetanos are in deep muck all the way to their keisters.

One of them is in violation of Republic Act No. 9225…Citizenship Retention and Re-Acquisition Act of 2003, which Section 5, Item 2, states unequivocally to wit: Item 2: Those seeking elective public office in the Philippines shall meet the qualifications for holding such office as required by the Constitution and existing laws and, at the time of filing of the certificate of candidacy, make a personal renunciation of any and all foreign citizenship before any public officer authorized.

The only thing they can get away with murder is when and if Alan and Pia, are on a permanent residence visas which wouldn’t affect their rights to elective office. This is troublesome on how they can perform their duties as elected officials when they can’t decide which way to go. Unlike 10 tears ago or so a permanent resident visa (green card) is renewable every 5 years but nowadays Uncle Sam got smarter that every two years is the requirement. Allan and Pia shall come to America to renew not at the US Consulate General in Manila.

Let us suppose Alan Peter is clean on nationality, how about Pia? If Pia is a naturalized US citizen she have no right whatsoever under the Act to be in the service of the country unless she did the prerequisite on Item 2. Catch 22? Sure, it is.

The problem lies in the inconsistencies of the government. Legalities sometimes don’t mean a thing. Allan Peter Cayetano, with his green card cannot be trusted. What he’s doing is make the Philippines as “pantakip butas…tansan na botelya”, an option by a Philby or a Marcos who will take flight to America when the going gets rough. What a guy! What a sham, he is!

(Editor’s comment: Alan C. is not a US green-card holder. He has a US tourist visa like other Pinoys. I saw it. Pia is also a Filipino citizen otherwise she could not been cleared by Comelec to run for senate)

Leo F. Rosario
26 Mar 2007

 

Dear Mr. Garcia,

I enjoy reading all your articles. You call spade a spade.

Could you ask the Honorable Joe De Venecia, how come he can not modernize the road going to Tondaligan since it’s a tourist spot in Pangasinan? With the millions worth of pork barrel he is authorized, I don’t see why he can’t fix the road to Tondaligan. He has a house in Bonuan but again he doesn’t commute to his house but instead he uses his helicopter to visit his house. Ask him to drive himself (not his driver) to his house and he will appreciate the sacrifice that we, the ordinary people, go through.

Thank you.

Marie Aquino Junio
26 Mar 2007

 

This is a letter to Gerry,

Hi Gerry, this is Marie Aquino Junio. I used to be a columnist in The Sunday Punch in the ‘ 60’s and your “kumare”. How is Boots? I understand all your children are all married now? Are you and Boots “empty -nesters” now? I have no way of knowing where you all are. We sort of lost touch of each other.

I occasionally read your paper (Sunday Punch) through the website so I decided to contact you and Boots. If Boots have an e-mail address, please ask her to e-mail me… And oh, yes, a friend of mine and I have a website which caters to our “kabaleyans” from Mangaldan. When you have spare time, you can surf on our website www.aliguasmangaldan.net .

Please let me know if this e-mail reaches you. Thanks and I hope to hear from you .
Marie

Eduardo Pontaoe
26 Mar 2007

 

Fernando P. Estrada M.D. FACS,

Firstly, let me clarify this acronym FACS. For the record; Fellow of American College of Surgeons. Added always on the resumé for weight, prestige and legitimacy. With all due reverence doctor, allow me to dip my finger in this mire you’re in.

You challenged Mar Magsano’s post on Feb. 27th which you believed was inaccurate and incompatible with the truth. But, before you lambasted Mr. Magsano, like a patient in malpractice suit, you should have checked what Jun Velasco wrote on Feb. 26th. It could have spared you the time and hands wringing in frustration and firing blanks that won’t even hurt a fly.

Jun Velasco his words, “Dr. Fernando Estrada, a native of Calasiao town, and vivacious wife, the former Nancy Cornista of Hotel Boulevard, Dagupan City, who owns a hospital in Pennsylvania”. Owned a hospital? In your admission you did not own a hospital only a clinic.

See the emphasis on what kind of people you are? The glorification of wealth Jun Velasco tried hard to connect. Velasco’s unforgivable mistake was not checking on you… the truth… of what he was going to write. That’s the kind of culture and character Velasco has, not Magsano’s crowd you attempted to crucify…gone for broke. Made you mad, cried and bit your lips, ain’t it? He handed you the knife that cut your throat. Magsano’s rebuttal is a righteous defiance. Blame Velasco not him.

And to think of it, the possibility of Mar Magsano living in that area where you make your bread and butter, he knew what’s the razzle-dazzle happening in your little enclave, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania? You don’t know him, he knew you and highly unlikely he wouldn’t respond. Watch out once he comes out like that bat from Hell.

All these times Jun Velasco writes his columns, Jeremias Carrera of Guam, aptly named him PCE (Prolific Columnist Extraordinaire). His articles are not only irresponsible but contemptible.

Savage? That’s the bloody truth. As a matter of fact, your friend Jun Velasco as a columnist… to think of it… cannot find snow in the middle of freezing Pennsylvania winter.

A Time to Remember

All the candidacy pronouncements, retractions, and indecisiveness for the past several weeks have been dizzying, to say the least, for the voting population of Pangasinan.

Just to cite a couple of examples, there’s retired Philippine National Police Chief Arturo Lomibao, who earlier said he is 99.99% sure of competing for the congressional seat in the 4th district of Pangasinan and has already resigned from his appointed post as chief of the National Irrigation Administration to prepare for his bid, has suddenly announced on Wednesday that he is no longer pursuing his political plan. Undersecretary for Local Governance Antonio Villar Jr., dubbed as the kingmaker of the province and one of the closest collaborators of President Gloria Arroyo, has also shelved his intent to run for governor. And it remains to be seen whether Pangasinan, a bailiwick of the Arroyo’s ruling Lakas coalition, will be declared a free zone for the provincial top post as three contenders, all allies of the administration, remain firm on putting up a fight.

Thank goodness by the end of this week, with the March 29 deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for local positions, we will finally see who will be on the final list of aspirants - well, more or less as there could very well still be withdrawals or substitutions later on - from whom us voters will be making our choices.
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Another conspiracy in the offing

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

There are questions about the ongoing illegal construction activity inside the Magsaysay Park in Dagupan City that just boggle my mind.

If the city engineer says the construction was never issued a building permit, and that her office has no knowledge of any authorized activity inside that city government property, then why doesn’t she go after the contractor who is blatantly violating the city’s ordinance? Why is this contractor “untouchable”?

And why hasn’t City Legal Officer Dindin Baniqued thrown the book at the contractor in same speed and process that she applied on erring city hall employees in the past? Is it because she’s part of the scheming?

Will the two ladies please tell the people why? Is there another conspiracy to keep the people in the dark?
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