Eduardo Pontaoe
10 April 2007

 

 

Ms. Nini Centeno, Top of the morning to you, Ms. Centeno.

Where have you been? It’s been a long time. You might be right on Lambino’s dignity, integrity and wisdom to offer Pangasinan his unblemished kind of public service. The only place where we can scrutinize his brand of service was when he was mayor of Malasiqui. Eleven years of unheralded performance. I can’t find any demonstration of outstanding delivery for the public good if his tenure as mayor is put into consideration. He came into Pangasinan’s consciousness after he was cast in the provincial spotlight thru Agbayani. His performance at Urduja was overshadowed by the governor which everybody knew was a man-in-waiting, a second fiddle if you will, but he was into everything what Victor had in mind. Possibly, even the kitty.

Most importantly, I see no declaration of principles or policies where he based his desire to be elected. He’s only telling the people that he will deliver them from hell, that he is a good man, that it’s his turn to serve.

To me, it’s all cliché. Elsewhere, its pure conjecture what he would do upon election. If elected without a vision, would he be blamed like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Ms. Centeno?

With all due respect, my post on March 22nd did not deviate from the truth or the issues. Running for any public office in the Philippines, it’s a fact, needs not only a bundle to run but a shipload of dough to make credibility.

Lambino must have…I reiterate…a sustainable war chest to compete. He can rely on Arroyo to have that advantage over the competition but not all of it. If he is not rich where he shall get the money unless it’s from businesses that would do business with the province? So, if he does that, his being governor is compromised before the gun.

Don’t get me wrong. I have no animus for Lambino. Being a politician himself, he is open to the rough and tumble of politics. For all I know anybody can be governor. You and I knew why this problem of political financing arises because there is no statute that governs financial disclosure.

Like what we do here in America. Election statutes are in place to curb political financing. Political action committees (PACS) are gone. Donations from individuals and businesses are limited to certain amounts. All contributions must be accounted for and filed with government. Though it’s not perfect, at least it’s deterrence to wrongdoing, it’s a felony to cross the line.

Let me give an example how strict election in America is. If the candidate is in a restaurant campaigning, he cannot offer anybody even a cup of coffee. Under election laws that’s vote buying… illegal by all means. All this limitations are imposed to give everybody a level playing field. Equality in a chaotic political world.

I hope, your epiphany on Lambino should come to fruition. I’ll wait, watch for the coming. But, I would be your worst nightmare, the avenging angel Moroni on your head if you misjudged it.

Have a nice and wonderful day, Nini!

Jevie de Guzman
10 April 2007

 

 

To Nini,

You must be joking if you consider the Vice Governor as a man of integrity and dignity. Do you know how he started in politics? Do you know what has he done in Malasiqui after 10 years of being a mayor of the town?

I remember that after his term, every time I pass the entrance of the borders of Malasiqui, my car will just feel like bumping on a bad road. He did no good in our town as a mayor. What he did was make our town a first class municipality in order to avail of the USAID for the construction of the public market. But what happened? The public market was left unfinished, leaving millions of debts in the town.

Come and visit our beloved town and you will find out how true what I am telling here and you will find out yourself the legacy he left behind.

As a result of being a first class municipality, taxes went up and the poor people of Malasiqui had to suffer. Is this a legacy of your bet for the position as governor? Wake up, please.

I can challenge you on a debate regarding this matter. For your interest, you can visit this site http://i-site.ph/Databases/LGUs/​ViceGovernors/2001-2004/Luzon/pe​rsonal/lambino-personal.html. ​You​will find in this site how wealthy the vice governor is. I believe that he accumulated most of his wealth during his stint in politics. I personally know that he started nothing in politics. Do you think his status now is middle class? You must be kidding.

Vice Gov. Lambino is no different from other TRAPOS. I know how he started in politics since he is my Kabaleyan. This is nothing personal Nini, but this is just to bring out the truth. I got a feeling that Vice Gov Lambino is your relative that’s why I can understand how you defend him.

What I can say is that Vice Gov Lambino’s politics is a politics of convenience and he does not represent the middle class that you are claiming. Assuming he is representing the middle class, how about the lower class that is being affected by the illegal games that Vice Gov Lambino is allegedly defending? For your information, at one time jueteng was rampant in Malasiqui during his term as a mayor.

Please give me your comments and I will try to answer them in this forum.

Respectfully Yours,
Jevie Jebong de Guzman
OFW
Worlwide Exploration Consultant

Dear Forum Posters –

 

May we kindly request you to post your messages on our website’s Message Board to facilitate the posting. This way your messages are directed to a specific folder for the editor’s immediate attention.

Kindly desist from sending your messages intended for the forum to our email addresses (punch@mozcom.com or punch.sunday@gmail.comn) unless these are specific concerns or messages exclusive for the editor or publisher.

Meanwhile, I’d like to apologize to our forum posters whose messages were coursed through our email (which were inadvertently overlooked owing to the hundreds of emails we receive including spam) and, therefore, were not posted immediately.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding! 

Nini Centeno
22 Mar 2007

Mr. Pontaoe,

I guess, we are going beyond the issues! Now…we go to Lambino’s wealth!! You exactly got the point why VG Lambino hardly gets the nomination. He was reportedly not having money to come up with a “P100M to P200M” war chest. He was belittled and humbled even according to earlier surveys, he was topping the race!! It is very unfortunate that obviously, “election” of officials now involves money, instead of integrity and good governance.

Did anybody think that the reason why VG Lambino still remain in the middle class family? Of course, he does not advocate the “kurakot” system which most politicians do when in power! He is an honest person whose ideas belong to the “common tao”.  He is an upright man that is why he is not popular. It is sad to say that the politicians who get a lot of “media coverage” are those who can afford it.

Did anybody think that VG Lambino, being branded as being “poor” is good for the common people? Because he is with them, he knows what their problems are, he knows how it feels to be an “outcast” by the rich, and he would represent them and speak for them! I hope voters are intelligent enough to know that MONEY is not the only basis for winnability.

With due respect, Mr. Pontaoe, VG Lambino may not be “rich” in accordance with the politician gauge of what is “rich” …but people who know him well, consider him ”wealthy” … a man of integrity…. a man of wisdom and…. a man of dignity.