Good Morning Judge: “A Blatant Power Grab”

THE House of Representatives’ reported proposal to remove Vice-President LenIe Robredo from the line of succession to the presidency during the transition to Federalism and make the Senate President the direct successor obviously caters to President Rodrigo Duterte’s wishes to eliminate the Vice-President from the line of succession. It will be recalled that President DU30 has often referred to the VP as “weak” and may not be able to run the country in the event something happens to him. Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise that some senators, among them Senator Panfilo Lacson, has seen the attempt as a “bait for the Senate leadership” saying that “Vice-President Leni Robredo having been elected and proclaimed winner of the 2016 elections deserves to stay second in the line of succession.” Reportedly, lawyer Ibarra Gutierrez of the IBP called the proposal a “blatant power grab by discredited politicos who would rather play politics to advance their selfish interests than do actual work to our fellow Filipinos.” In the local scene, with the withdrawal of councilor Nene de Asis from the mayoralty race and opting instead to run for vice-mayor, the mayoralty race would be a one-on-one fight between Vice-Mayor Nelson Legacion and business magnate Tato Mendoza. It may be recalled that Mendoza ran against incumbent mayor John Bongat in the last local elections but resoundingly lost the race. This time Tato may have an even chance. Good luck to you my Rotarian friend, TRIVIA: Through this column let me express my most sincere condolence to the family of the late Joventino “Ven” Cruz who passed away after a lingering illness. His remains presently lay in state at the Funeraria Imperial at Penafrancia Avenue. His widowed spouse is a member of the USI high school class ‘55. Ven was also an active member of the Rotary Club of Naga East. Congratulations to Enjoy Realty and Development Corporation staff Ms. Rowena “Weng” Aquino who celebrated her Nth birthday anniversary yesterday October 10. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “TACT IS THE ABILITY TO TELL SOMEONE TO GO TO HELL IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY LOOK FORWARD TO THE TRIP.” WINSTON CHURCHILL FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “THEREFORE I PRAYED, AND PRUDENCE WAS GIVEN ME; I PLEADED AND THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM CAME TO ME.” WISDOM 7:7