Run for vice

Most of the time we call vice presidents, vice governors or vice mayors nothing more than glorified second fiddles or spare tires. But there is a great possibility that a number of today’s candidates who are running for vice governor or vice mayor may actually end up being “promoted” to a higher position by virtue of someone’s death in office. Simply put there are quite a number of weak and elderly candidates who are now past 80 and not even the millions of pesos they spent on stem cell is going to nullify the statistical probability that their days are numbered whether by divine design or medical reality.

So far the oldest one I know who is running for office would be Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile who has lived to 94 years of age and not far behind are the likes of Mayor Joseph Estrada, his arch rival Fred Lim, and of course Imelda Marcos who like Enrile claim they can still run or jog. I wish none of them ill nor do I ridicule old age but many people are wondering: when is enough? Is politics all there is in their lives? When will they finally say enough and share their wisdom and remaining time mentoring the next generation of leaders?

I can’t blame them really for wanting to stay in public office, to be in the limelight and to wield political power. But at age 80 and above, none of them gets around as good as when they were in their sixties, and regardless of their mental sharpness and abilities for debate, observers often say that the greatest disadvantage to having great grandparents in public office is the fact that they often don’t have an idea of what’s going around or below them and they are usually misled or taken advantage of by corrupt or sleazy supporters. As far as I’m concerned, the biggest risk and reality is that they will or may croak or suffer a prolonged illness and their stubborn insistence to hold on to their seat will be at the expense of public service!

Having said that, there is certainly wisdom in running as Vice something especially when the possibility of becoming governor, mayor, etc. is not hinged on “If” but simply “when.” Today’s second will be tomorrow’s Boss.

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It seems that certain people at the DOTr are pretty pissed about my suggestions for Secretary Tugade to liberate the LTO from the clutches of DOTr minions and consultants to the point that a witch hunt of sorts is beginning, in order to find out who has been egging me on to write about the subject matter. What a bunch of idiots! Long before the Duterte/Tugade administration stepped in, I have been in and out of the LTO grounds since the time of “Tito Romy” as in Romeo Edu, LTO chief in the late sixties when there used to be a fenced area in front of the LTO where they kept a pet deer from Tanay!

I have had dealings with the good and the bad people at the LTO of years past, I have had good relations and assistance from Col. Rey Beroya, I have written negatively about some corrupt high officials, I’ve worked with a number of Asecs, at least three, in pushing for the registration of vintage vehicles. During those years I learned how the officials at the DOTC would meddle and manipulate LTO operations in line with political, commercial or corrupt intent. In recent times, I have extended my help and cooperation to the LTO NCR in terms of motivational training, communications, strategic planning and liaison with stakeholders, all of these efforts or “services” being FREE OF CHARGE. Modesty aside, I have even paid for breakfast on several occasions. 

I chose to do so because I realized that before I criticize the institution, I must first make sure that they know what I’m talking about and I must know what they are dealing with and what their limitations are. I also admire the current leadership at the LTO because they have the humility to ask for help, enough sense to listen and consider suggestions and advice and actually act on agreed plans and not simply come out with combative press releases full of legalese! As a result of my engagements, I discovered the red tape, non-consultation, interference done by minions and consultants at the DOTr who have not even been honest enough to Secretary Tugade about their own “kapalpakans” or blunders that have caused Secretary Tugade undue embarrassment. Truth be told, LTO officials have tried their best to defend or cover up for the shortcomings and admitted blunders at the DOTr and have gone as far as requesting a “ceasefire.”

But how is that suppose to help if minions and consultants and political appointees at the DOTr behave with such self-entitlement and bossy attitudes that they would rather hound their associates at the LTO instead of meet with their critics or members of the media such as myself. Instead of calling the LTO chief and his officers to explain who is pumping up the volume, why not simply extend an invitation for coffee or conference? It is ironic that the once amiable and approachable Secretary Tugade falls under the “cannot be reached or outside the coverage area” because of his cordon sanitaire. He may be a very busy Cabinet member, but if he really wants to know what’s good for him, he might consider being the nice guy he used to be back when he was just the boss in Clark. Or perhaps check who his real friends are!

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