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Opinion

Desperate people do desperate things

SHOOTING STRAIGHT - Bobit S. Avila - The Freeman

For our special presentation on our talkshow on Straight from the Sky, we are honored to bring you a report card from Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella. I am referring to the 2013 to 2016, as 2013 was the year when Mayor Rama defeated for the first time then Mayor Tomas Osmeña. Of course we expect a vigorous challenge by Tommy Osmeña to regain his lost mayoralty seat for next week’s elections, but it is only fair to ask Mayor Rama and Vice Mayor Labella what they have done for Cebu City in the last three years.

So watch this very interesting discussion with Mayor Rama and Vice Mayor Labella on SkyCable’s channel 61 at 8:00PM tonight with replays on Wednesday and Saturday. We also have replays on MyTV channel 30 at 9:00PM tonight and at 7:00AM and 9:00PM respectively on Wednesday and Friday.

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We are now on the last leg of the presidential and local campaign to elect the new leaders of this country for the next six-years and three-years for our local politicians and for the presidential race, let me say it clearly that this has been the worse mudslinging election campaign that I have ever seen since I began voting in the 1969 elections.

For the intelligentsia, many of them have yet to decide on whom to vote next week on May 9. But before we go to the presidential race, let us revisit the vice presidential race. It seems that the odds-on favorite is still Senator Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. I was able to talk to a lot of friends, many of them anti-Marcos in the past and they tell me that it will be the first time for them to vote for a Marcos and the reason they gave me is, they want to take revenge on President PNoy Aquino III whom they believe as hypocrite.

Of course there are still diehard anti-Marcos friends out there who are working feverishly to ensure that Bongbong is not elected as vice president. Apparently people whom I talked with cannot fathom or take the alternative that the Liberal Party has poised upon us the widow Leni Robredo. It seems that people are sick and tired of electing someone because their spouse died and worse people believe that Leni is just too “hilaw” to be given the most important job as the “spare tire” of the president.

I personally believe that Robredo cannot even have her own thoughts on many issues. For instance, when she quipped, “If you vote for me, you should also vote for Mar Roxas, if not, don’t vote for me na lang.” Now this is almost exactly what Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said, “That if you vote for me, you should also vote for Cayetano and if you won’t, then don’t vote for me na lang.”

A couple of weeks ago, Robredo said, “If you vote for Marcos, we will become the laughing stock of the world!” These words were taken verbatim from Senator Serge Osmeña, III a couple of months ago. I chastised Serge for that comment because he didn’t say anything when Bongbong was elected governor, congressman and later on as senator. But now that the Office of the President is just a heartbeat away, Senator Serge makes that kind of comment, which Leni Robredo simply copied. So why can’t Leni Robredo think on her own, huh?

As for the presidential race, we all know that desperate people do desperate things. Allow me to reprint Atty. Jovy Neri’s blog, which became viral on Facebook about the waiver of LP Bet Mar Roxas, which is self-explanatory. Here’s the blog in full. 

“Dear Mar Roxas, If you want to grandstand at least do it properly! Your waiver is a joke. It only lasts for the “duration of the candidacy” so after May 9 it is worthless. The only institution you authorize is the Ombudsman. We know the Ombudsman won’t investigate your shenanigans between now and May 9 - the period is too short. Besides, you and your yellow army control the Ombudsman who has suspended without due process so many local officials all across the country who are against your LP party.

Also, you only executed it yesterday - just after this Duterte bank account issue came out! Talk about delayed reactions! If you want to do it right, authorize not only the Ombudsman but other agencies (AMLC perhaps) and even address the appropriate banks while specifying the account numbers where you are waiving your secrecy! Right now, it’s obvious this is all for show! MAR, YOU CAN FOOL YOUR BLIND YELLOW ARMY LACKEYS BUT YOU CAN’T FOOL A LAWYER LIKE ME!”

Honestly, I didn’t know this until Atty. Neri showed me what the score is. Which is why this blog went viral in the social media. So if we who are considered smart can be misled into believing that this was a waiver, how much more for the poor voters who do not know the intricacies of this?

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For email responses to this article, write to [email protected]. or [email protected].  His columns can be accessed through www.philstar.com.

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