Senate seat in the bag for Gov. Gwen?

The fishing ban in Panatag Shoal has been ordered lifted by P-Noy. So to our fishermen let it be said: Fish be with you.

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China hasn't yet lifted its own fishing ban in Panatag. The ban stays. No, no, not the ban against Chinese fishermen.

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Says this news headline: “Phl Won't Escalate Tension in Panatag.” So China need not fear.

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I heard it said on TV that more and more girls and other young people in our country are now smoking (cigarettes). This in spite of the intensified campaign against smoking. And despite the high cost of funeral services.

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Have you been invited to a seafood dinner with drunks? I have not I didn't go. It was a dinner dominated by “Drunken Lobsters” and “Drunken Crabs.”

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A TV report has it that there are some 5 million child laborers in our country. I like to think that they are better than the rugby sniffers we see lying on the sidewalks.

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Politicians who are wont to hurl mud at each other -- or against their enemies - should do it now while the mud is still wet and soft. After the rainy season, the mud will have already hardened.

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That was quite a plug one of my favorite STAR columnists Domini M. Torrevillas gave Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia as senatorial bet in the 2013 mid-term elections (PHILSTAR,June 28, 2012).

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If Domini's analysis of the voting strength of the Visayas-Mindanao electorate, and granting Gwen could take advantage of it, a Senate seat is in the bag for Gwen.

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Belated congratulations to my friend and favorite painter Celso Duazo Pepito on his very successful 35th solo exhibit titled “Homage to Mothers.” It was a success in terms of Public accolade Celso received from art lovers.

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OVERHEARD. Heard in a Lahug-bound PUJ: “Nitago siya pag-abot sa iyang Kano nga phone-pal kay bati’g nawong. Unya dili sad mao ang picture nga iyang gipada sa iyang phone-pal. Tabla silang mga bati’g nawong. Hehehe.”