It doesn’t feel like we are under martial law

Today is the day of the midterm elections in the Philippines, and finally we bring you a topic that is totally non-political. Our special guest is Engr. Marc Anthony P. Pascua, the regional director of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in Region 7. For many years, Cebu has played a key role in the maritime industry in the Philippines as we have become the headquarters of many interisland ferries and we also get our share of international shipping cargo vessels. I didn’t even know that the MARINA also handles ship manufacturing, looking into companies like Tsuneishi Heavy Industries, Inc. and the small shipyards that operate here in Mandaue or Consolacion.

So watch Regional Director Anthony P. Pascua tonight on Straight from the Sky’s momentous 100th talkshow in our 19 years in television and on SkyCable’s channel 53 at 8 p.m. with replays on Wednesday and Saturday same time and channel. We also have replays on MyTV’s channel 30 at 9 p.m. Monday and at 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.

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LONDON, England – I left the country last Saturday morning and I should be writing about what I’m seeing in London at this time, but with elections finally pushing through today, let me make a report about what is happening in Cebu City. Mind you, I was watching CNN Philippines on television last Friday and Pia Hontiveros was giving a report that Cebu City was literally on the verge of martial law with policemen roaming the streets intimidating people. The problem with CNN Philippines is that they do not have reporters from Cebu City and like their mother network, CNN, they end up reporting falsehoods. Apparently, I found out that that report came from Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

To be totally honest about it, the sight of blinking police cars is actually good because it means that the police are doing their duty. After all, in Cebu City murders still happen. So when I see checkpoints on the main roads with a group of policemen stopping motorcycles, it makes me feel a bit safer, that at least the police are around even if you do not need them. So if anyone feels that Cebu City is under martial law it is only Mayor Osmeña.

Now if Mayor Osmeña feels that Cebu City seems like under martial law we can understand that this is due to the bad blood between him and Cebu City Police Office director Royina Garma. I learned that Garma was summoned to see President Duterte last week and I’m sure she reported the so-called illegal gambling activity of the mayor. Again, in defense of the mayor, I don’t think that that poker game was an illegal gambling business unless it was an everyday thing. Poker, as you very well know, is a game between friends.

Let me remind Mayor Osmeña that despite his thinking that we are under martial law he has actually taken advantage of certain people close to the president. We all know that a few months ago it was already publicized that Mayor Osmeña was supposed to be suspended because of his abuse of power when he ordered the release of three men arrested in an illegal butane canister business from the Parian Police Station, for which the Cebu City Police office filed a case against the mayor.

Yet by some sleight of hand, the mayor’s suspension was not implemented, obviously because of his political connections being the mayor of Cebu City. Is this perhaps the reason why Mayor Osmeña is not supporting the Otso Deretso and giving special attention to senatorial candidate Bong Go? Any lesser individual even with a lesser crime would certainly be suspended if the police in Cebu City file charges against them

Mind you, last Thursday morning, I went to the Abellana Police Station to file my gun’s LTOPF and have myself checked for drugs. Let me tell you, it was the first time I went to the police headquarters and honestly did not feel comfortable inside the police office especially with what Mayor Osmeña was telling us about his issues with the police. However, my fears were totally allayed when I met policemen who were more than courteous and very assuring. No, they did not even know who I was. They even had problems getting my name correctly. So here’s to CCPO director Garma for the good attitude of the Cebu City police.