NOW that the Sandiganbayan has cleared former Vice Governor Dioning Balite and the other members of the provincial sanggunian, including the members of the Bids and Awards Committee during the administration of former Governor Erico Aumentado of corruption, maybe it’s time to ask – kinsa man gyod kaha ang nag-intriga aron makasohan silang tanan, apil na si former Governor Aumentado?
Duna diay, one might ask.
Ibutang nato nga duna.
So balik sa pangutana, kinsay nag-instigate adtong kasoha?
Lisod tubagon for sure.
Buyno, daghan tang kadudahan kay lisod ning pamolitika ra ba.
But I will share with you an “intriguing” story from a Manila-based friend.
* * *
The venue of the discussion is in Manila, somewhere in Quezon City.
The time – after the promulgation of the case on October 27.
The discussants – never mind, let us protect our source, okay?
The topic – well, the intriguing question was the question for the day, who was the instigator of the case?
* * *
The source did not really reveal the name, but only mentioned of some circumstances that paved the way for the filing of the case.
Accordingly, ang target sa kaso kuno was former governor Erico Aumentado because he was the HOPE or the head of the procuring entity, at that time.
The objective, matod pa, was not really to legally crucify him but to politically crucify him for corruption.
Basta ba lang maduhig ang iyang pangalan sa pangurakot, dako na kaayo na og epekto sa iyang pamolitika kay niadtong panahona, matod pa, maayo man kaayo og record si Aumentado, unya walay undang ang mga proyekto sa Bohol bisan kon nag-deficit spending ang national government under GMA.
So, kon makasohan lang si Aumentado og pangurakot, payts na kuno.
The next question is – who stands to be benefitted if this was the political cum legal scenario?
Aw, kon mao kana ang pangutana, mag-parade dayon ang mga pangalan nga nag-una sa lista.
Kinsa may nahibaw-an na nga nang-scam ni Aumentado pinaagi adtong gitawag og unity ticket kunohay pero gi-junked diay siya?
Kinsa man tong nahibaw-an na nga nang-bodol ni Aumentado sa pasalig nga maghiusa na lang para sa probinsiya pero gi-traydoran diay siya kay bisan gani sa mga lungsod nga kontrolado sa maong tawo, tigbak mas Aumentado sa boto?
Gets?
* * *
Lisod pod ning politika.
Way back when he first ran for senator, former PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was a text-mate.
I was contacted by a mutual friend and asked to help in his campaign in Bohol. After mentioning that Bato was an avid big biker, I suggested and this was agreed, that Bato will tour around the province with the big and small bikers in tow.
So I contacted my biker-friends, big bikers and small bikers for that matter, and right away, it was agreed that we would help Bato in his campaign.
To add flavor to the Bato campaign, I sought help from a friend and he right away allowed his brand new white Mustang to be used as Bato’s lead car. Top down nga Mustang, like Bato’s top down nga ulo.
After breakfast in Bohol Tropics, Bato insisted to ride on a BMW big bike with his full-faced helmet on.
Naturally, nobody could identify him in the convoy from Bohol Tropics to Baclayon. It also took time to remove his helmet then meet his supporters and then put them on again and start the convoy.
From Baclayon up to Ubay, I was able to convince him to sit himself at the back of the top-down while Mustang so people were able to recognize and wave their hands at him.
Former DOTR USec Art Evangelista hosted our dinner and the following day, we proceeded to the 2nd district and then back to Tagbilaran.
It was Bato’s first and only campaign in Bohol.
And he got the 3rd highest votes in Bohol among all senatoriables.
Not bad, considering that Senator Bong Go only got the 5th or 6th place.
* * *
Yes, that time, we were text-mates.
But that ended when he won.
When I texted him my congratulations, I got no response, as if I did not exist anymore.
And I tried texting him again, and still got no response.
So what is the conclusion?
We were text-mate only when he needed my services. When he won, we were text-mate no more.
So when Bato runs for re-election in 2025, for sure he will not be included.
And for sure, I will be one in campaigning against him.
Sorry folks.
* * *
By Tuesday next week, we shall have another set of barangay and SK officials who will serve until December 2025.
Whether maayo na sila or dili, they are duly elected so they must be good.
Bahala na si Batman kon mag-bad na sila sa ilang trabaho.
Gipili man mao nga midaog.
Wala na lay mahayay, the voice of the people is the voice of God.
