Bukal sa Aplaya, Bauan, aangkinin ng Aquadata?

Pahirap ang dinastiyang Dolor (na suportado ni Abu) sa bayan ng Bauan. (Hindi pa nga raw tumutugtog ang kanyang tiyuhing si Dolor, SUMASAYAW na si ABU, tuma-tumbling pa!).

Matapos ibenta nang walang malaman o mapagbatayan kung may kinita ba o wala ang munisipyo, ang serbisyo ng patubig ay monopolyado ngayon ng isang kumpanya, ang Aquadata (sino kaya ang tunay na may-ari nito?).

Mula nang mag-take over ang nsabing kumpanya sa serbisyo ng tubig sa Bauan, lumundag ng mula 100-200% ang singil nito sa tubig. Kaawa-awa ang mga retirado na datihang nakakayanan pa ang P500 buwanang bayarin na ngayon ay umaabot na sa P3,000. May mga napaulat pa na mabilis na takbo ng metro dahil maski solong consumer, lumalagpas sa minimum consumption na 10 kubiko metro kada buwan (ano yun araw-araw isang drum ang paligo at 100 litro ang iniinom?)

Marami ang nagtataka - libre ang pinagkukunan o source o bukal ng tubig sa Bauan, walang kailangang mahal na bayaran sa Estado o pribado mang supplier, dahil sagana sa tabang na tubig ang ilalim ng kalupaan ng Bauan. Ngunit tila iginigisa sa sariling mantika ang mga taga-Bauan.

May ulat pa, na ang lugar ng may akda ng lahat ng pagdurusang ito na si Hermie Dolor (dolorosa o dusa sa Latin), sa barangay Aplaya, isang bukal ng tubig na halos 200 taon na pinakikinabangan ng mga taga Aplaya at karatig lugar, malamang na sakupin na rin ng Aquadata. Ito ang Tarcina, bantog sa kanyang napakasarap at sariwang inuming tubig, himalang maski malapit sa tabing dagat, ay nananatiling tabang at masarap sa panlasa na animo'y mineral water. Bagama't maaari ngang mineralized ito at nagtataglay ng mga mineral na lubhang kailangan sa kalusugan ng tao. Maski ito HINDI PATATAWARIN ng kasakiman.

Ito ang isa sa DUSA ng bayan ng Bauan sa ilalim ng Dinastiya. Kaylan ka magigising at lalaban BAYANG TUMATANGGING MAMATAY (the Town that Refuses to Die)? Huwag mong sabihing isang dating sarhento lamang ang LULUPIG SA IYO???

Political Dynasty & Kleptocracy (edited and repost from 2013)

According to Wikipedia:

Politics in the Philippines has been under the control of a few notable families. It is normal for a politician's son, wife, brother, or other kinsman, to run for the same or other government office. The term coined by Filipinos to describe this practice is "Political dynasty", the equivalent of an oligarchy in political science.

Oligarchy (from Greek ὀλιγαρχία (oligarkhía); from ὀλίγος (olígos), meaning "few", and ἄρχω (arkho), meaning "to rule or to command")^[1][2][3] is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people. These people could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, or military control. Such states are often controlled by a few prominent families who pass their influence from one generation to the next.In his 2011 book Oligarchy, Jeffrey A. Winters defines oligarchy as "the politics of wealth defense by materially endowed actors." In Winters' definition, massive wealth is the key factor in identifying oligarchs.

Throughout history, oligarchies have been tyrannical (relying on public obedience and/or oppression to exist) or relatively benign.

Do you see where Batangas City is today?

One blogger in facebook commented that he was born, raised and had his initiation in life with the Dimacuhas as the only name ruling city hall. This is sad, because for more than  a quarter of a century (28  years!), we have allowed Eduardo Dimacuha and members of his family to rule over us.

This is also a shame, because Batangas City is supposed to be a premier city, progressive and leading the rest of Calabarzon. Our city is supposed to be a cradle of noble heroes, proud of its ancestry and history. But recent history has put us to become a laughing stock of the region. Simply because we allow to be ruled by fear and indifference.

In the same breadth,  Bauan  has been ruled  for  almost 20   years by the family  of   Hermie  Dolor. And  sadly,   they rule  by fear, that Bauan is like under martial law. Imagine this former army sergeant being able to subdue a town for 18 years!

Eh ano naman ang kleptocracy? Ito ay sinasabing isang pamahalaan ng mga taong pangunahing layon ay mataas na kalagayan sa lipunan at pansariling kasiyahan o ganansya sa pamamagitan ng pagsasamantala sa nasasakupan (a government by those who seek chiefly status and personal gain at the expense of the governed – www.merriam-webster.com.

Sa kanyang opinyon, sinabi naman ni Kalayaan College President at dati ring UP President Jose V. Abueva na “in our country ruled by an oligarchy, the political dynasties in most of our provinces enjoy a monopoly of electoral power, to the disadvantage of rival leaders and the general public. “An anarchy of families,” says American political scientist Alfred McCoy.

Political dynasts are seen to use their superior wealth, following and access to public resources to favor themselves and undermine the state. They attract their followers and keep them loyal with government patronage and personal protection. Having captured the state, some resort to massive corruption, fraud, violence, vote-buying, and intimidation (http://opinion.inquirer.net/51905/an-oligarchy-in-charge#ixzz2SelX9JSf).

ANC  24/7 Photo

Samakatwid, sari-sariling pamilya ng mga kleptocratic dynasts o magnanakaw na dinastiyang pulitikal ay lumilikha ng  kaguluhan (anarchy – o kawalan ng matinong takbo o layunin) dahil sa kanilang tila solong kapangyarihan sa mga botanteng mamamayan. Ginagamit nila ang kanilang nakahihigit na yaman, mga tagasunod (tuta?) at kapangyarihang gamitin ang kaban ng bayan sa pansariling kapakanan at paikutin ang estado o gobyerno (o dayain ang sistema ng batas ng gobyerno). Marami silang tagasunod at sila ay nanatiling tapat sa kanila (dynasts) dahil sa mga natatanggap na pabor at maging personal nilang proteksyon (kaligtasang pansarili, o kaligtasan laban sa kumpetensya kung sa negosyo).

Kung iniisip natin na magaling sa atin ang pamumuno ng iisang pamilya, at maraming nakikinabang, tandaan natin na mas nakabuti ito sa kanilang pamilya, angkan at negosyo. At ang karamput na tulong na ibinabalato sa ating mamamayan ay wala sa kalingkingan ng kanilang pinapakinabang.

Tayong mga karaniwang tao lamang ang maaring lumaban dahil nakipagsabwatan na sa dinastiyang ito ang mga pangunahing pamilya, angkan, dambuhalang negosyo at maging mga lider relihiyoso tulad ng Iglesia ni Cristo.. Wala tayong maaasahan sa kanila. This dynasty has co-opted the rich and the powerful because they gain from each other. So don't be fooled.

Tama na, kaumay  na, abuso na, sipain na!

Nani Perez withdraws from congressional race

I think this is Official. My best wishes for sir Nani  for his decision to remain in the education sector.

Giant Nani Perez vs Pawit-wit? - most interesting congressional race in Batangas City

The congressional race in the 5^th District (Batangas City) is very interesting, in a sense that a former political giant is running against neophytes and political nobodies.

Apologies as this will just be my initial observation because in fairness to other candidates, like Danilo Berberabe (DanBer), younger brother of the late Bokal Jun  Berberabe who I still have to research on; and my  declared   bias against the Dimacuha dynasty or any dynasty for that matter that I  do not wish to say more  against its son-in-law   Marvey Marino, at least   not yet; and respect for an old friendship with Philip Baroja who  is  unfortunately a  creation of the Dimacuha  dynasty  and apparently  a pawn  of a new  power play within the crumbling dynastic family;   my conversation in this blog would be   limited to drawing  a  parallelism  between  the  giant Nani  Perez  and the political  self-declared “pawit-wit”  or small  fry,  Carlito Bisa.  Sila din  laang naman   yata ang naglalaban  eh?

Pero kwidaw -   may  sakit   akong hindi mapigilang mag-ingay hehehe.

HERNANDO “NANI” PEREZ

Sir Nani (he was my law professor) has been good to me, in a sense that he mediated between me and Eduardo Dimacuha sometime in 1993 when I was still a cable TV journalist. I have always thought that he prevented EBD, his kumpare from harming me. My branch manager Ed and I were summoned by Jun Magsaysay, later Senator, who owns Batangas CATV (he actually pioneered the industry in the  country) in his Makati  headquarters, and told us to see Majority Floor  Leader Hernando Perez  at the House of Representatives.  We arrived there a little bit in the  evening and  were ushered to  a very big   office,  and listened  to  floor deliberations through piped-in monitor  (my  first time to  enter the Batasan). I think it was past 8pm when Ka Nani came to his office from the session hall and attended to us.

He  knew me because  it was not the first time  we were  seeing  each  other (a few weeks or months  earlier, his staff knocked in my apartment in Brgy. Cuta very early in the morning to  say,   the   Congressman  wanted  me  to interview  “someone  important”  for   my cable TV shows.   So early yet I obliged to come to the studio in   Brgy. Alangilan, Batangas City.

And wow, you know who was with him?  It was the beautiful, petite, daughter of a former President and DTI Undersecretary in-charge of the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) -  yes, Gloria  Macapagal-Arroyo. They rode on Ka Nani’s Pajero,  followed by another  car of security  personnel. And so I asked him, “ang aga nyo  po, saan kayo  galing?”  And he said, “sa Mabini” with  a smile  (need  I ask  for  more?)

I was quite rattled in the presence of his “guest”, but regained my composure, started setting up the interview, and grasping for words, I said, “you know what mam, I am an admirer of your dad, former President Macapagal?” Little did I realize that I was too young to know her dad being a martial law and Marcosian era baby!  Well, anyway, one has got to do what one has got to do. So I did the interview and either Mrs. Arroyo was too brilliant and I was too ignorant,   but I was not impressed with her answers to my questions. Anyway rest is history, she placed 13^th in the 1992 senatorial race for her   first 3 years in the Senate, but ranked first the next senatorial elections for a full 6-year term, became VP and President for 9 years.

Going back to my first meeting at the House, Sir Nani started   the conversation, “Utoy, galit na galit sayo  si Pareng Eddie   eh, kaya ang sabi ko ay kakausapin muna kita.” And a few other details were discussed. But when he suggested  that I go and see  EBD,   my  naiveté surfaced  when I blurted,  “Eh   galit pala ho sa akin paano ko kakausapin?” Well, the nice Ka  Nani  was very  patient to me,  took out a  piece of his stationery and scribbled some notes “Dear Pareng Eddie.” Rest is history again.

So why the introduction?  Because  I do  not want anyone  to think  that I have anything  personal  against Sir Nani.  My political views are based on what I think are pure, simple and plain truths any other person can see.

Ka Nani  has been  up  there, and we all revel in the heights he conquered  -  bokal, opposition  Member of the  Batasang Pambansa, Minister of  Transportation   & Communications, Majority Leader, Deputy Speaker, and Justice Secretary.  No one can match   him in what he has achieved, even now as President of my Alma Mater, University of Batangas   (he was also Law Dean,  Book  Author and Professor still). 

But Sir  Nani has also  been a villain  -  he has  faced, though  conquered a lot  of accusations of graft and corruption;  has had  a fair share of scandals, including  with Jolly Benitez,  erstwhile  right hand man  of  Imelda  Marcos   in  the Human Settlements Ministry;  scandals that sent him  to an  abrupt political furlough  and resigned in disgrace as DOJ Secretary of  GMA  because of  allegations  of extortion and abuse of  power.  In addition, media reports were replete of his bravado, flamboyance and feisty demeanor (typical  Batangueno,  abogado   pa!) But all these he can say, I have conquered them all.

So why the comeback to the limelight at the age of 76? Why not, why Enrile?  Oh yeah, Enrile!

So his “political resurrection” is really a big subject of speculations and suspicions.  Is he out to rehabilitate his stained national image through the best venue he has mastered -   Congress?  His media statement  - “I AM  TOO  OLD TO THINK OF MYSELF”   -   caught  my  attention.  I know I   will never win a discourse against a good lawyer, but what did he mean by that? That he thought much of himself before, but now ready to think of his City  and Country?

He could have been a Senator,   Vice President or even President before,  if…  Unfortunately,  that was  not the case.  So should Batanguenos give him this belated chance again?

CARLITO “LITO” BISA

I got to know the guy better through my slain friend, Mei Magsino. She was an avid fan of him because he stood   his ground against the Dimacuha  Dynasty when there were still very  few of us fighting it at the risk  of our lives.  And he never budged ever since.

He’s got no political position of the past  to speak of, nadaya eh paanong gagawin? Many people even think that he does   not have the pedigree befitting the title “Honorable Congressman” because he is too gutter-level minded, straight talker and too mass-oriented  (maka-masa at maka-misa).  But maybe he might just reject the Honorable title if he wins knowing how much horror  that title  has wrought us throughout history.

But take a second look, this ex-seminarian is no lightweight. He is actually  an acknowledged  unionist ,  sans the negative connotation, because  he is National  President of the Federation of Employees’  Unions of  the  biggest bank  in  the country – BPI.   Kaya masa na, maka-manggagawa pa. Kaya yung  habla ni Atty.  Teddy Deguito sa Bangko Sentral laban sa kanya para pisilin ang BPI na tanggalin sya ay  isang  suntok sa buwan dahil HINDI GANUN  KADALING  KUMILOS ANG ISANG EMPLOYER  LABAN SA PINUNO NG  ISANG  UNYON  (ano sinuswerte eh  di nagkagulo?) I know, because I am an employer panel negotiator with unions.

He   maybe a rank  and file employee of the BPI  branch in Batangas City but he is  a  primus  inter pares (first among equals),  also being President of the BPI Employees Union of the entire Southern Tagalog Region. So that explains the fierce and brave stand on anything. When he joins Congress, expect him to fight tooth and nail for the people.

And like me (allow me your indulgence as I want to compare myself with good people), he is an educator (Faculty member of several schools) and former editor/writer, and we both attended several graduate studies and law school, but didn’t finish. But tell you, finished or not,    what we learned are still there to guide and   make us the kind of fearless advocates that we are.

We are both against political dynasties, but Lito’s proven advantage  - NAGAWA NYANG IHABLA ANG MGA DIMACUHA AT KASABWAT NA TAGA CITY HALL. Sino may ganyang tapang? Maski ako, wala.

And   so we are given a distinct privilege to choose our representative to the halls of  Congress, and for the first time as a lone district. Take your pick – ang dati o ang bago?

  

Si Kristine Balmes, kapamilya pa nga ba ng Dinastiya?

Ngayong malinaw  na kung sino ang kalaban ng Dinastiya na tumatayo para manindigan  at wakasan ang 28 taon ng paghahari ng iisang pamilya, marami na ang lasong ipinakakalat sa hangin upang sirain ang isang single mom na tanging naglakas-loob na pangunahan  ang laban  ng Batangueno.

Halimbawa,  kung dati raw manugang yan,  eh di  kapamilya  din pala ng nakaupo?

Mali, dahil si Kristine ay may 12 taon nang hiwalay  kay Dondon Dimacuha, at halos 10  taon nang annulled o  napawalang-bisa  ang kanilang kasal.   Samakatwid, certified single na ang future Mayor na  ito.

Ang 12 taon ay napakahaba  ng panahon  para masabi natin na halos  wala na siyang kaugnayan  sa  pamilya ng dating biyenan, maliban  sa hindi maitatangging kadugo  nila ang apo  nila kay Kristine. Si Dondon naman ay matagal nang may sariling pamilya, at ang tanging ugnayan sa anak, sa aking pagkabalita,  ay ang  pagsuporta sa  pag-aaral ng bata, at ang maalala ito sa mga okasyon ng birthday o Pasko.

Ibig sabihin lang nito,  malayo  sa  isang family affair  o away biyenan  at manugang gaya ng gustong ipang-intriga ng ilan.

Sa totoo  lang,  malayo na  sana ang narating ng karera sa pulitika ni Kristine. Alalahanin  natin na nahalal  sya na  1^st o topnotcher Councilor noong 1998  (kaya nga yata niligawan agad eh baka makalaban pa?). Nasa  kanya  ang lahat ng pagkakataon para ituloy  ang kanyang paglilingkod  sa  bayan, pero nabalitaan ko  rin na pinigilan sya noon na muling kumandidato sa mga taong 2001, 2004, 2007 at 2010, at bilang respeto sa dating biyenan,  maski noong hiwalay na sila  noon pa mang May 2003, ay hindi sya  kumandidato.

Ang hamon, dahil nagtrabaho  si Kristine sa mga development organizations or NGOs,  mulat ang isipan nya sa kalagayang pampulitika kanyang sinilangang Lungsod. Kaya sa paghimok na rin ng marami, at sa pag-asang maski paano sya ay pakikinggan, kumandidato sya noong 2013. Pero ginawa syang isang “malungkot na tinig” at “reklamador”  sa Sangguniang Panglungsod. Hindi  pinapakinggan maski may batayan  ang mga isyu na  kanyang inihahayag sa konseho.

Yan na rin ang malaking dahilan na nahamon syang manindigan na at kumandidato bilang Mayor upang ituwid ang mga nakita nyang mali  sa  pamamahala sa Lungsod, kabilang na ang pagtapos sa paghahari ng dinastiya. Kung hindi nya ito gagawin,  malamang walang kalaban o un-opposed  na naman  ang dinastiya.

Kung hindi natin wawakasan ito ngayon, malamang abutin nga tayo ng 30 - 50  taon

Hindi lang usapin ng dinastiya  ang laban ni Kristine, kungdi usapin  ng kasalukuyang nakakalunos  na  kalagayan ng Lungsod na pinatatakbo ng mga hindi  halal at maaaring kaylanman ay hindi  mahalal (un-elected and un-electable)  bilang proxy ng matanda, mahina  na at may sakit na  punong lungsod.  Higit pa riyan  ang mga iregularidad  sa pamamahala  at lantarang pag-abuso  sa  kapangyarihan. 

Sino nga bang matinong tao  ang  nais mangunsinti  ng mali, maski  pa  yan  ay  dati  mong kapamilya?

Sa isang babaeng may kunsensya, at 12 taong nanahimik,  nakapagtataka  pa ba  na si Kristine ay  nagising at nakahandang tanggapin  ang hamon ng pagbabago, upang hindi  mapag-iwanan  ang Lungsod ng Batangas  sa kaunlaran, kaayusan, kapayapaan  at katarungan?

Pagpatay kay Mei Magsino at iba pa, hindi dapat kalimutan ngayong halalan - NBI at Police bakit ayaw magtulungan?

Katanghalian ng Abril 13, 2015, sa Balagtas, Batangas City pinaslang sa Mei Magsino

Karaniwan  nang bansag sa Batangas ang pagiging Murder Capital ng Pilipinas. Sa dami ng patayang nagaganap   sa buong Lalawigan, mangilan-ngilan lang ang masasabing naresolba ng mga awtoridad at naisampa sa hukuman upang panagutin  ang mga may sala.

Ang high profile na kaso ng pagpaslang sa amamahayag na si Mei Magsino noong Abril 13, 2015, mahigit 6 na buwan na. Mistulang blank wall pa rin ang status ng kaso. Sabi ng Batangas PNP, mayroon sanang progreso kung nabigyan lang sila ng NBI ng kopya ng CCTV footage na hawak nito para ikumpara sa hawak nila. Ang NBI naman hanggang ngayon walang sinasabi, bukod sa naunang tiningnang love triangle na wala namang kinahinatnan.

Bakit ganito ang sistema ng ating law enforcement? Noong sinabi nila na iimbestigahan nila ang mga local officials na posibleng may motibo, nagawa ba nila o TAKOT SILA?  Bakit kapag ang anggulong yan ang binabanggit, para silang IWAS PUSOY?

Malapit na ang halalan, hindi  maiiwasang maging isang POLITICAL ISSUE ang bagay na ito - UNA, upang ipaalala sa lahat  na  TALAGANG MAY MGA MAMAMATAY-TAONG PULITIKO SA BATANGAS.

IKALAWA, napakahina ng ating law enforcement agencies. Tila walang kakayahan -  BAKA DAPAT PALITAN SILANG LAHAT AT SA MALALAYO IDESTINO ANG MGA PULIS NA TAGA BATANGAS upang maiwasan ang PAGTATAKIP? Doon sila ipadala sa conflict areas ng Mindanao!

IKATLO, NASAAN NA ANG PANGAKO NG MALAKANYANG na reresolbahin nila ito at WALANG SISINUHIN?

NASAAN na ang mga kaibigan ni Mei na sina  Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, at ang umano'y pagtulong  ng asawa nitong si Sen. Raph Recto gayong may mga kapangyarihan at impluwensya sila upang i-pressure ang mga kinauukulan na gumalaw?

NASAAN na ang matalik na kaibigan ni Mei Magsino na si Kap. Bart Blanco ng Balagtas, Batangas City kung saan pinaslang si Mei? Ngayong kandidato sya  sa pagka- Bokal, ano ang kanyang masasabi sa bagay na ito? Hindi baga't malapit sya sa mga Recto, bakit di nya magawang ipaalala ang bagay na  ito  sa kanila?

My long history of infatuation with the Balmes Mother and Daughter – Why I trust Kristine Balmes

Looking at the FB  family picture of the Balmes clan today after the mass dedicating Mayor Kristine Balmes’  filing  of her Certificate of Candidacy for Mayor of Batangas City suddenly made flashbacks of my long history of infatuation with the Balmes mother and daughter (oh don’t get me wrong, nothing romantic, but read on, it’s  my side of  the story).

Kristine and I have been facebook friends since Nov 2010, but I am sure she hardly knew me. Her mother, Madam Yolie does.

In 1987 I was a student leader in Lyceum of Batangas, famously or infamously known as the irrepressible and incorrigible Nomer Macalalad. I led the first, biggest and longest running student mass actions back then. Dr. Yolinda Gonda-Balmes was Executive Vice President and Peter Laurel was Asst. Vice President (but was calling the shots as the Laurel family owns the university). Madam Yolie held office at the ground floor of the main building and Peter Laurel at the Penthouse (3^rd, just below the residence).

The  Fashionable  Mdme   Yolie  Balmes

 I was fierce and irreverent, and surely gave Madam Yolie some sleepless nights as she would come to office very early in the morning (to avoid being blocked by student barricades?) I remember meeting her with darkening eye bags, and obviously stressful days (haha).  But she was always as beautiful, a fashionista in her own right.

When the Laurels dropped my scholarship in retaliation, and Registrar Fe Medina would not allow me to re-enroll nor release my transcript,  I remember storming Peter Laurel’s office and telling him strongly to “release my record and I will be out of your school.” True enough, a few storeys and minutes below, I went straight to the Registrar’s office  and my transcript was ready,  no request or clearance required   (they were avoiding an altercation with me and Peter must have called them to simply acquiesce to this incorrigible rebel’s demand).

Later on, I became a local journalist, and one of my favorite interviewees was madam Yolie’s father, the late Bokal Ding Gonda. I sympathized with his lonely opposition stance against the Mayo administration which at times seemed to have dismissed him as just one grumpy old man in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (back then the Governor presided over SP sessions).  But before anyone misunderstands my reference to ex-Governor Enteng Mayo, I would like to say that he was a very nice person. It was in his presence when I was offered to start a career as a radio commentator by my  mentor (lucky me to have used to have coffee with Governors.  I also did as a youth leader with ex-Gov. Joey Laurel in his last days in office so I was already familiar with the Mansion as early as 1987).

I think it was in 1998 when Kristine Balmes ran for the first time as Councilor. And Madam  Yolie  came  to my  former  house  in  Tingga Labac and gave  me  a  wall  clock.  Of   course, I voted for  Kristine  not because of  that wall  clock  but because of her mom (still  infatuated  with her   after all those Lyceum   days!) The rest is history and I have written about Kristine  being swooned to her  feet  by Dondon  Dimacuha, etc. The break-up, Kristine’s transformation   after her election  in  2013  (although I  am very   sure that her  activism   is  basically brought about  by her NGO  work  prior   to that) are  all part of  my writings about her in 2013.

Now Kristine is up to the task. She is my choice for  Mayor because  I trust her. Yes she is quite  young  (a  little bit  younger than   me),  arguably naïve  in dirty  politics  and  a   dreamer. But isn’t that what we need?   One friend  asked me, why support    her   when  she  is the mother of  a Dimacuha  child  who  will later revive the dynasty   (wow, that’s   too  futuristic), but I said she  is our only chance  at the moment. And  honestly,  she  doesn’t  have the pedigree of  a dynast,  but  of  a  decent leader like   her late Lolo  Ding.

My support is voluntary. And  believe it or  not, we argue a lot  on facebook  messenger, as she  would naturally  disagree  at times   on  what I write or post  (not just about her, but about anything else). But I trust her to be our only hope  to  end the  tyrannical  dynasty.  I trust her to be the only person who can bring back the pride and glory of Batangas City because she has a vision, a complete contrast to what the Dimacuha dynasty has systematically put in place in the last 28  years.   Bacause Kristine’s conviction is for good and democratic governance. In short, SHE IS THE (WO)MAN OF THE TIME.

But I also assure you, the irreverent, irrepressible and incorrigible me will always be here to watch her govern. Privately (I hope she doesn’t cut our communication line when she gets elected), or publicly, I will still tell her what I think on matters  of public concern.

Drawing the lines between Good and Evil in Batangas: The Tale of 3 candidates: a missed leader, a self-confessed politically-naïve single mom beating the odds of a well-entrenched dynasty and former in-laws, and a persistent knight against a political monster

In the next weeks and months, we will be bombarded with all sorts of political propaganda.  Candidates  will  do  everything to  win our votes, and those with personal  axes  to  grind  will  surely come  up with  all  sorts  of issues  against candidates, while the sycophants will heap empty praises  to their  candidates with an  expectation  to get favors  once their  bets  win. Realistically that is what election seasons bring about - an artificial euphoria of sorts. Then when the elections smoke is gone, we are confronted with the reality that we voted into office idiots, incompetents, corrupt and undeserving people.

As   an independent writer/observer, it is my distinct advantage of being free from any political or personal affiliations with these candidates. I can say what I want, express what I observe and give personal judgement.  Though I have also taken it as my duty as a citizen to share my thoughts. In the first place, I am a graduate of Political Science at the University of Batangas (though I have doubts that it even recognizes me as an alumnus).

Kaya maaga pa po, ibinabahagi ko na  ang sa aking palagay  ay mga  natatanging kandidato na may dalang magandang kinabukasan sa bayan:

Batangas Province

Dodo MANDANAS

Umpisahan  natin  kay dating Gob. Hermilando  “Dodo” I. Mandanas or HIM for short. Hindi Ito Magnanakaw, Hindi Ito Mamamatay-tao, and lalong Hindi Ito Magkakandili ng droga.

Kumakandidatong mag-isa (walang partido at walang bitbit na ibang kandidato), sinabi nya na mas mabuti na ang hindi makasama ng mga may bahid dungis na partido.

Hindi malilimutan ng marami ang kanyang mga programa na pinakinabangan ng libu-libong mag-aaral sa kanyang scholarship program. Maski  sa pribadong kapasidad, matagal na nagsilbi  ang kanyang Batangas Social Development Foundation (BSDF) na nakabase noon sa Aplaya, Bauan.  Dinayo ng marami ang kanyang lumang bahay sa Aplaya, kumita maski maliliit na tindahan sa mga bisita. Sa mismong Aplaya, nagpagawa sya ng mga  silid-aralan, pinakamalaking covered court, ipinaayos ang mga kalsada, nagpagawa ng sea wall, at mga medical missions.

Bilang Gobernador, pinakikinabangan pa ng Lalawigan ang mga programang pangkaunlarang kanyang nasimulan, mga development master plans na patuloy na nagpapatatag sa economic foundation ng Lalawigan. Ang mga pagawaing-bayan na nanatiling nagbibigay ginhawa   sa mga liblib   na lugar, at ang mga hinahanap-hanap na mga serbisyong medikal at panlipunan  na bukas sa lahat ng tao. (Naaalala nyo pa ang People’s Day at the Capitol  tuwing Lunes?) Maraming ang naghahanap ng ganyang pagkalinga mula sa isang puno ng lalawigan – yung lider na personal mong nakakaharap, di man magawang pagbigyan ang lahat ng kahilingan.

Ang campaign  tagline ni Ka  Dodo ay  “Walang Kurap, walang mahirap. Pag ang puno ay kurap, mamamayan maghihirap.”

Pero  marami ang may  mga saloobin laban kay  Ka Dodo, subalit  kung  pakikinggan  mukhang nagmumula sa  mga personal na pabor na hindi  napagbigyan.  Ngunit  tanungin mo, kung  may masama  bang nagawa sa bayan, wala namang maituro. 

Kung  pansarili  ko  lang, pwede ko  na ring  sabihing may  rin sama ako ng loob sa kanya. Hindi dahil may hiningi  akong hindi naibigay,  kungdi  sama   ng loob  na sya ay nagpalaki  at tumulong  sa  mga  taong  walang  utang na loob, kagaya  ni  Rep. Raneo Abu  (wala namang mararating yan kung hindi itinaya  ni Ka Dodo ang  kanyang  pangalan sa kanya). Subalit ngayon nasaan  na si  Abu  at ilang tauhan  ni Ka Dodo? Ang balita  ko pinagpaplanuhan  pang ilaglag  sya sa sariling tinubuang barangay sa Aplaya, Bauan. Bunga  ito  ng pikit  matang  pagsuporta  ni Abu  sa Dinastiyang  Dolor ng Bauan kung saan sya ay manugang sa pamangkin.

Batangas City

Kristine  BALMES

Si Maria Kristine Josefina G. Balmes, dating manugang ng puno ng Dinastiyang Dimacuha, ina ng nag-iisang anak kay Barangay Captain Dondon Dimacuha (dating Mayor at Konsehal, ngayon ay ABC President kaya ex-officio Konsehal ulit dahil patuloy na nirere-recycle ng dinastiya), pagkatapos humiwalay sa kanyang asawa at magising sa sitwasyong panlipunan at pampulitika ng Lungsod, tumakbo at nanalong Konsehal noong 2013 (ikalawang pagbabalik, dahil konsehala din sya noong masungkit ni Dondon).

Nagsisilbing de facto leader ng oposisyon, pinatunayan ang liderato sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulong ng mga pagbabago at pagkiling sa mga usaping maliwanag na taliwas sa lahat ng gusto ng dinastiya, kagaya ng pagtutol sa mga kwestyunableng paglulubog sa utang sa pamahalaang lungsod para umano sa mga proyektong kaduda-duda, mga kontratang malinaw na “disadvantageous” o argabyado  ang mamamayan gaya ng PPP sa terminal sa Balagtas, likong pamamahala (by proxy, maling priorities, may pansariling interes gaya ng EBD cards gamit ay pondo ng gobyerno, atbp), mga karahasang nagaganap sa Lungsod kabilang na ang pagpatay sa mga kalaban at kritiko ng dinastiya (personal na nakiramay at nagsalita si Kristine sa libing ni Mei Magsino, mahigpit na kritiko ni Dimacuha), mga usapin ngn pagkiling sa mga kumpanyang sumisira sa kalikasan at hindi nagbabayad ng buwis gaya ng JG Summit Petrochem at pagtatayo nito ng plantang gagamit ng uling (coal).

Tatakbo bilang Mayor, isang babae, walang masasabing 3G’s (gold, guns and gold), subalit naniniwalang ito na ang PANAHON NG PAGBABAGO.

In the guise of Private-Public Partnership (PPP), it now now turns out to be Punyetang Pamemera sa Pamamahala

Ang plataporma ni Kristine, malinaw na pagtalikod sa nakakasuka nang landas na tinahak ng Lungsod sa loob ng 28 taon – “will center on pursuing political and development reforms through the active participation of our citizen and by establishing inclusive growth. My goal is to create more jobs and offer sustainable livelihood projects for our people, help provide education to all deserving students, establish a universal health care program, more suitable for our constituents, and conceptualize a master plan that will address issues on urban planning and development. I would also like to promote a more transparent, red tape free and God-fearing government that respects the environment, natural resources and our people. Tourism will also be greatly improved. And lastly, restore the discipline, respect for others and care for humanity among our people.”

Bauan, Batangas

Former councilor and vicemayor, opposition  leader Atty. Juan “Johnny”  Magboo will make another attempt to unseat the Dolor  dynasty.

Ang kanyang ibangon ang Bauan upang MAGBOO  ng panibagong bukas sa nalugmok  na dating 1^st class na  bayan ng Bauan ay isang malaking hamon. Hawak ng dinastiyang Dolor ang Bauan sa  mahigit 18 taon, na  inumpisahan ng ama na si ex-Mayor  Hermie Dolor (ngayon  ay ex-officio Bokal bilang Pangulo ng Association of Barangay Councils ng Lalawigan). Kasalukuyang nakaupo ang kanyang  anak na si Ryanh bilang mayor na nasa huling termino na.   Kaya  kagaya  ng gawain  ng alinmang dinastiya,  magre-recycle ulit ng basura, at ngayon muling lalaban   ang dynasty founder na  si  Hermie Dolor, bilang Mayor.

Johnny  MAGBOO

The Dolor dynasty is characterized by  a typical story of political abuse that  should have no place in a modern democracy.  Nakapagtatakang  ito ay  hindi napapansin ng  media gayong napakalapit lamang sa  kabihasnan. Maging mga mamamayan  ay natatakot magsalita, at mangilan-ngilan  lamang ang naglalakas-loob, kabilang  na si Johnny Magboo.

Ilan sa mga usaping matagal  na  nyang tinawag  ang pansin  ng publiko  ay ang mga sumusunod:

• 1.    Ang pag-utang ng Pamahalaang Bayan ng P150 million sa Comnet Management Inc.
• 2.    Ang pagsasanla sa Pamilihang Bayan sa Comnet Management Inc.
• 3.    Ang pagsira sa plaza at pagpayag na gawing commercial building (Bauan Plaza  Hotel)  ang bahagi nito ng Comnet Management Inc.
• 4.    Ang planong gibain ang Bauan East Central School para gawing terminal sa  pamamahala ng Comnet Management Inc.
• 5.    Ang pagbenta ng Bauan Waterworks System sa Aquadata na nagresulta sa mataas na singil
• 6.    Ang pagbenta sa Bauan Electric System sa First Bay Power Corp.
• 7.    Ang 5 taon nang sinirang munisipyo na bagama’t may plano na  raw pasinayaan  (timing sa halalan) ay  kakatwa  sapagkat ang Bauan  na  isang maunlad na bayan ay natatanging walang sariling munisipyo

Bukod pa dyan  ang  maraming samut-saring isyu tulad ng laganap na patayan na halos hindi nababalita, mga alegasyon ng katiwalian sa mga transakyon ng pamahalaang bayan, alegasyon ng pagpapayaman sa sarili  (pagbili  ng rest house, bahay at mamahaling sasakyan) ng pamilya ng namumuno,  at pag-abuso  sa mga  tao  (pananakot,   pagmumura at pagtutungayaw).

Ayon  sa Commission on Audit Report na isinalin  sa wikang Filipino ni G. Chito Mandanas  (dating kaalyado  ng mga Dolor):

“Ang pagkabenta Bauan Waterworks system at lahat ng mga pag-aari nito sa Aquadata Incorporated ay taliwas sa isinasaad ng Section 379 & 380 ng Republic Act 7160, at hindi ito makakabuti sa interes ng Bayan. Habang nakabinbin pa ang patakaran ng COA Head Office sa legalidad ng kontrata ng bentahan ay inerekomenda ng Audit team, na ang Mayor ng Bauan ay dapat hihingi muna ng pagsang-ayon ng COA sa bawat bentahan ng kahit anong pag-aari ng Munisipyo sa mga susunod na pagkakataon para masiguro na hindi agrabyado ang mga mamamayan, manapa'y kapakipakinabang dapat para maprotektahan ang interes at kapakanan ng mga Bauangueño.

Ang kontrata sa kasunduan sa pagitan ng Bayan ng Bauan at Comnet Management Corporation para sa pagpapaupa ng 1,734 metro kuwadrado na lupa na pag-aari ng Bauan ay lumabag sa "Section 198 of the Rules and Regulations on Supply & Property Management in the Local Government" na nakasaad sa ilalim ng "COA Circular No. 92-386" na may petsang Oktubre 20, 1992. Napag-alaman din na ang mga kundisyones na nakasaad sa kasunduan ay hindi naaayon sa interes o' kapakanan ng Bauan kung saan pwedeng may nakaambang pagkawala ng napakahalagang lupa ng Bayan na maaaring magbunga ng katampalasanan sa sambayanang Bauangueño.”

Magboo, like   Kristine, is a symbol of  CHANGE. They are both up  against  well-entrenched, powerful  and at times, violent politicians.  Ka  Dodo, meanwhile  is up against  traditional politics,  where parties  and machineries work to  place their  people  and  own   kind  and  perpetuate  a  political system that makes people powerless,  and enriches  those  in power.

AASA NA LAMANG TAYO NA ANG TAUMBAYAN,  bagama’t saklot ng takot  ay  MANININDIGAN SA BALOTA.

2016 elections in Batangas City slowly turning out to be one big family affair?

A very disturbing political development in Batangas City: the doctor is a political genius! Kristine, how could you??? Details tonight....

Ito po ang pauna kong “tickler” o pangiliti. UNA, sinadya ko upang makatawag pansin sa mga kinauukulan. Baka sakali may mag-boluntaryo ng paglilinaw.

PANGALAWA, upang mapulsuhan ko kung may mga interesado sa isyu (marami nga, sa dami ng nagpahayag ng interes, publicly or by private messages or texts).

As it turned out, some people get angry, some were worried, and others are glad someone is watching. Others turn their anger on me.

Ngayon pag-usapan na po  natin, and how I got all the information:

This is supposed to be confidential. But since I am deeply alarmed, I think that as concerned citizens and voters, we have the right to know.

According to my very reliable sources, “an alliance between Kristine and Doc Jun was forged conducted under Fr. Daks' lead.” (Looks like it has the blessing of the Archbishop).

“Di ko alam kung paano tatanggapin ng mga anti dynasty proponents considering na si Danber will run for Congress. Kasama yun sa agreement,” adds my mole.

“The "unity meeting" was between the supposedly opposition politicians & the Berberabe group. It started Aug. 19 followed by 2 other meetings the last one was held last night (Oct. 7),” says another mole.

“Kristine will run for Mayor and Doc Jun as vice… which I find undemocratic”, commented another.

“Doon masama ang loob ko. We could have had the chance to introduce "new politics" if we had stuck to the original plan which is Kristine/Lito tandem. (Now) We're back to trapo set-up,” said another.

“Si Joe T. ang insistent sa alliance using Joey, his son, as his emissary. Kasi ang offer ay tatakbong "bokal" si Joe T. at hindi palalabanan ng mga Berberabe,” texted by another.

I sought Kristine’s comment but she declined because she felt I already prejudged her.

Now my humble take:

WE WANT AN EXPLANATION, from all concerned, and please answer the following questions:

1.     Will Jun Berberabe, under this setup turn his back on his uncle, the Mayor and publicly declare that?

2.     Is his joining forces with the supposedly real opposition because he is also anti-dynasty, or so he will conveniently win the vice mayoralty (again)?

3.     Who stands to benefit from this setup – the anti-dynasty movement or the Berberabes, paving a way for another dynasty?

4.     If the intention is just to ensure the end of the Dimacuha dynasty, Kristine and Carlito Bisa can win hands down. So why the alliance? What for? Who brokered it?

5.     Did practical reasons prevail over the ideal, because idealism has no more room in this modern time? This should be for the broker clergy to explain.

I challenge you all to provide us with answers and we will not hesitate to support you. As politicians and leaders, you are not immune from public scrutiny. So please bear with me, and all of us who believe that under a democracy, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW!

Age copes up with two Batangas dynasties: WINDS OF CHANGE BLOWING

Batangas City's Eduardo Dimacuha or EBD is the most pitiful political dynast today

Seriously sick, physically and mentally frail, he had no choice but to keep holding on to power for his own and his family's sake he may leave behind anytime. My friend told me "kailangan nya protektahan ang mga maiiwan nya - sa daming kalokohang ginawa sigurado kaliwa't kanang kaso ang aabutin."

Same thing with the ageing Hermie Dolor of Bauan. His "manufactured politician" son proved to be a disaster as Mayor. With practically NO ACCOMPLISHMENT to show, but more of highly questionable contracts that have caused the people a lot of difficulties, including paying high costs of electricity and water

DUSA NG TAGA BAUAN (credits to photo owner)

bills. And the legal complexities seem to have been "cured" with the collaboration of nephew-in-law Rep. Raneo Abu by filing bills in Congress that will protect and empower the dynasty. Even more appalling, Bauan has had no municipal building for 5 years because the mayor had the old one demolished, defaced the plaza, and plans to sell the historical Bauan Central School. 

And unless the case of the dastardly assassination of journalist Mei Magsino is resolved before May 2016 elections, it will haunt these dynasties because they were thought to be her worst enemies.

WHO CAN FORGET WHAT THEY DID TO HER
ON APRIL 13, 2015 IN BROAD DAYLIGHT?

And the writings on the wall are - these dynasties are doomed. Nalalapit na ang katapusan ng paghahari nila.
But I don't want EBD to die just yet. That will upgrade his nephew, Vice Mayor Doc Jun Berberabe. And becoming a sudden Mayor will make it difficult for Kristine Balmes to defeat him. Unlike her erstwhile in-laws which will remake Kristine a giant slayer like David. Because the general sentiment now is ANYBODY BUT DIMACUHA.

Kristine CAN BE Batangas City's New Hope - she will hopefully represent what many of us have been craving for - CHANGE because the past 28 years is just horrible. We need a breath of fresh air, someone who has shown the world that she can stand on her own - even standing against her former in-laws and his family, including resisting the maneuverings of the Berberabes.

Exciting days ahead indeed, but at a bloody cost.