Political Bed-Fellows

Last week when news reached the print and broadcast media that Mayor Sara Duterte is running for President with her father President Rodrigo Duterte as her Vice-President, we wrote that “it would be a twist of faith” if this should happen. Mayor Sara however was fast in debunking the idea, and flatly denied that she intends to seek the Presidency. This morning (Wednesday, iJune 23) when the media reported the tandem of Mayor Isko Moreno and VP Leni Robredo partnering for a project called Vaccine Express and bringing vaccinations to tricycle, pedicab and delivery riders from the City of Manila, some political analysts and party mates of both political icons have expressed the possibility that the tandem would be a formidable team in the coming May 2022 national and local elections- with VP Leni for President and Mayor Isko for Vice-President. The latter, with his usual amorous face, was quick to debunk the idea saying that he would remain as Mayor of Manila. VP Leni on the other hand expressed her usual adage that the Presidency is a gift which should not be sought, but freely given by way of destiny. This writer joins the vast majority opinion that indeed, if the tandem should push through, it would be formidable and the administration party might find it hard to face the team in the coming electoral process. Be that as it may, the 2022 elections are far off yet and as they say in politics nothing is permanent as far as political bed-fellows are concerned.

The no-walk-in policy in the vaccination system in Naga at the JRM Coliseum has slowed down the vaccination process in Naga. Unlike in the system adopted by the Province of Camarines Sur at the Capitol building, any individual seeking to be vaccinated may walk-in with the assistance of designated personnel assigned to do so. This makes the process faster and the roll-out larger. Thus even those from Naga are referring to the Provincial vaccination site for their vaccinations.

Through this column we wish to commend former Congressman Rolando Andaya Jr. for openly helping out farmers in Cadlan Pili from being forced out of their farm holdings by the Provincial government, for the latter’s plan of building what it dubbed as Iconic capitol building. The reported timely issuance by the Regional Trial Court in Pili of an Injunction has saved the farmers from being ejected. To this writer, it is ironic that the Provincial administration would construct a new provincial capitol building while the present capitol building still stands. This building was built during the first term of the late Gov. Felix Fuentebella and it would be less expensive for the province for its improvement, rather than building a new one. This writer was a witness to its construction as he was then among the members of the Provincial Board of Camarines Sur.

TRIVIA:

Congratulations to our grandson, Johanne Ethan and granddaughter, Toni Gabrielle who both recently graduated from their high school and are on to their first year in college this coming school year. Johanne Ethan is the only son of our son Arnel, not yet US citizens but permanent residents of Los Angeles, California. On the other hand, Tonie Gabrielle is the daughter of our youngest daughter Ginny, whose family now resides in Metro Manila.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“HOPE IS THE COMPANION OF POWER, AND MOTHER OF SUCCESS, FOR WHO SO HOPES STRONGLY HAS WITHIN HIM THE GIFT OF MIRACLES.” -SAMUEL SMILES

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD, WHOSE CONFIDENCE IS IN HIM.” -JEREMIAH 17:7