Four city mayors

I now prefer to ride the cab to the University of the Visayas where I teach Constitutional Law. I found out it less stressful than driving on potholed roads. It has also become more convenient than being chauffeured because I avoid daily traffic jams and risks from the recklessness of undisciplined drivers.

I engage in friendly though random conversation with cabbies. Out of one conversation, I discovered most of them are serious social observers. Perhaps because they meet daily diverse personalities, some of whom may be as gregarious as I, they speak their observations with remarkable profundity. Some are jesters, but thankfully they constitute the minority.

The other day, I chanced upon taxi driver Mr. Sarausad, who professed to know a little bit about me. He read an article I wrote "where is the mayor?" which anchored our conversation. Actually, he did most of the talking and I was the amused listener.

He compared the achievements of the mayors of the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu, and Talisay in the first year of their 2016-2019 term based on what he has seen. To see is to believe, he said. Humbly admitting he did not finish college, he only pointed to what was visible.

Mr. Sarausad said Cebu City has the worst road network. His observation embarrassed me such that I wanted to show what I learned from the writings of Clarence Darrow. Prudence somehow held me back. I could not disagree with him because the streets I travel on to and from school are in disrepair. Mayor Tomas Osmeña, for over a year, must not have seen the terrible condition of the roads or felt the jar each time his car hit a hole. His recent announcement that in 2018 Cebu City roads will be better is an admission he turned a blind eye to this problem.

Mr. Sarausad insisted Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue can take pride in the good state of their roads. When mayors Paz Radaza and Luigi Quisumbing assumed office for their third and first term, respectively, they obviously focused on improving their streets. Everywhere workers opened new roads or concreted damaged ones. They also patched holes as if each day was the deadline.

Yesterday, I tried validating the cabbie's story. I inquired from Engr. Francisco Limpangog, a Lapu-Lapu City official, what accomplishment the mayor could say if asked. His reply confirmed what the cabbie told me.

I mumbled "res ipsa loquitor" when the cabby started to praise the road concreting by Mayor Quisumbing and explained its meaning to him. Since it could be a smooth driving experience negotiating Mandaue City streets, "let the thing speak for itself" could very well describe the outstanding accomplishment.

As we neared UV,  Mr. Sarausad spoke of the beautiful Tabunok public market. I held my tongue to avoid revealing my bias for Sir Eddie Gullas, the president of UV. But, he filled in the unintended gap. His words were heartwarming and I was rendered speechless.

It was a brief evaluation of the island's four leading city mayors I had. I am sure though that in our solitude, Mr. Sarausad could either be right or wrong. [email protected]