Warning or empty threat?

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a warning to the Cebu provincial government to obey an order from Malacañang making mandatory the wearing of face masks in public.

Coming with the warning, issued by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, is a statement that legal action would be pursued against Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia for disobeying a national government policy.

With the administration of President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte coming to an end 13 days from today, June 30, 2022, how does Año expect his warning to have force and effect?

That warning should never have been issued at all.

The defiant Cebu governor knows that however stern the warning coming from the DILG, it’s now become an empty threat.

Who will carry out the actions? The police provincial director, or the regional director of the Philippine National Police (PNP)?

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DILG Secretary Año’s basis for issuing the warning is Executive Order 151, issued by President Duterte which, among others, mandates the wearing of face masks whether in public or in enclosed places like restaurants and malls.

Gwen Garcia cites a provision in the Local Government Code that gives governors and mayors the power to decide the welfare of their constituents in defying EO 151.

Garcia’s order makes it optional for her constituents to wear face masks in public, and for them to only wear face masks in enclosed spaces.

The governor’s order has been backed up by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial legislature.

The national government wants her to revoke her order and follow EO 151.

“Maybe over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday, June 18-19) we will give them a chance to rectify (the EO). After the weekend, then we will do whatever is necessary,” Año said.

“Whatever is necessary” might mean Garcia could be charged with violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The local courts will just adopt a “look and see” attitude since the current administration has become a lame duck.

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Whenever Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), opens his mouth he exposes himself to public ridicule.

The first time Danao opened his mouth he tried to do a President Digong when he warned the driver of the hit-and-run vehicle involved in the Ortigas Complex in Mandaluyong to surrender or end up as “Santo Vicente.” This meant that if the driver would not surrender, he might end up a “saint” or dead.

The PNP chief was referring to Jose Antonio Sanvicente, 31, who didn’t stop to help security guard Christian Joseph Floralde, who his vehicle bumped and then ran over.

It turned out Sanvicente could no longer be held in police custody as the incident had happened one week earlier. A criminal case has first to be filed in court for a warrant of arrest to be issued against Sanvicente.

The second time he exposed himself to public ridicule was when he questioned the presence of reporters in the arrest by the police of 83 peasants.

The 83 farmers were conducting a land cultivating activity in Tinang, Concepcion, Tarlac.

Police also arrested 11 journalists, including members of the campus press, who were covering the event.

Danao asked what business the media had in covering the event.

“Why are you with those militants? What is your purpose there? That’s my question for you. Imagine, maybe even the media was (sic) meddling there. In the first place, if you went there, you’re already with those people,” said Danao.

Duh!

Hasn’t the good PNP chief heard of freedom of the press which is enshrined in the Constitution?

Members of the media were at the event because they were covering it. The job of the media is to inform the people of what’s going on around them.

In arresting the journalists, along with the militant farmers, the police were interfering in their work.

May tama itong si Danao. This guy should see a shrink.

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Senator-elect Robin Padilla’s challenge to debate with his colleagues in the vernacular has been taken.

Padilla threatened to speak in the vernacular in the Senate during interpellations or debates.

The actor-turned-politician argued that since he and his Senate colleagues are in the Philippines they should speak in Filipino.

First to take up Padilla’s challenge was Sorsogon governor and balik senador Francis “Chiz” Escudero, a lawyer who graduated from the University of the Philippines.

Padilla finished Bachelor of Science in Criminology at the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCr) after serving time in prison for illegal possession of firearms.

Escudero told Padilla he would debate him in Filipino.

Outgoing Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd said the use of the vernacular in the Senate is optional and a personal choice of any member of the chamber.

“That is indeed an option if you have difficulty in the English language, but you cannot force others to interpellate in Filipino. The journal, rules, index and bills are all written in English, not to mention the Constitution,” Sotto said.

Padilla will be in good company in the Senate, since his fellow actor, Lito Lapid, is another one who “no speak English.”

Lapid needs to have an interpreter during deliberations in English.

From where I sit, Padilla should do a Lapid and not make excuses about not speaking English in the Senate because “we’re in the Philippines.” That logic is full of crap.

At least Lapid is humble enough to admit he can’t speak English.

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Joke! Joke! Joke!

We found a leaflet in our newspaper this morning which read, “Are you an alcoholic? Call now, we can help.”

My wife insisted I make the call.

I called up the number, it was a liquor shop offer: “Buy 3 and get 1 free.”