I get an 'arrest warrant'

We attended the launching Tuesday afternoon of a new fast craft that will make the Bacolod-Iloilo run.

"Blue Sky" is a new ferry that will run alternately with "Ocean Jet" and is operated by the New Bullet Express, a corporation headed by a friend, Luis Ong.

Ong is the "O" in the TOP Corp. that operates Bredco while "T" is for Tan and "P" is for Palanca. I like Luis Ong. He is humble and unassuming that if he walks the downtown streets which he always does, you will mistake him for one of those guys.

A number of times I bought from his Diamond Marketing store at Luzuriaga St. where he sometimes sits down as cashier, typical of Chinese stores where if not the wife, it's the husband who mans the cash register.

I believe Luis Ong comes from the bottom and through the dint of hard work he has reached the TOP.

Money never changed Luis Ong. He is still the same Luis Ong people knew him many years ago.

* * *

I have long wanted to write about the need for more ferry vessels to service the Bacolod-Iloilo run. Passengers were sometimes bumped off, especially when one of the Weesam vessels conks out. Passengers from out of town coming at 6 a.m. or before only to find out they cannot take the 6:30 a.m. trip because of many passengers.

One has to wait for 8 a.m. or if only one is operating, wait for the 9:30 trip.

Then yesterday afternoon coming home from Iloilo at the 2:30 p.m. trip, Weesam took more than two hours because, said the announcement, it was running on just one engine.

I sympathized with Jimmy Golez and Rolly Espina who were late for their appointments. If we have many fast crafts, Weesam would have not been overworked.

* * *

I received yesterday an "arrest warrant" as defendant on the complaint of retired RTC Judge Emma C. Labayen.

The arrest warrant issued by the Supreme Court of Candle County said, "the Court was presented with overwhelming evidence" that I, a defendant "knowingly falsified the birth certificate of Emma C. Labayen." That photographs disclose I "cause to possibly look Emma C. Labayen so young at the age I claimed her to be."

And that my "eye-witness testimony describes her as a person much younger than she actually is."

So, the Court ordered that I "may be immediately apprehended and arrested and brought to Dimasalang Street in Tangub, Bacolod City" so that I "may explain the reason for such description and to assure that I do not miss her birthday on January 29 at 6 p.m." The arrest warrant was signed "Supreme Court Justice Hugh R. Lookinggood."

Judge Emma is a fellow mediator, a very intelligent one, and one of the best in the bench during her time. I salute her creative ability. Beautiful!

* * *

The other persons also served the arrest warrant are, first the amicus curiae or friends of the court: Justices Roberto Chiongson and Edgar Garvilles, Judges Pete Gellada, Fernando Elumba, Rodney Bolunia, Allan Drilon, George Patriarca, Ramon Delariarte, Gorgonio Ibañez, Anastacio Rufon, Demosthenes Magallanes, Jun Beldia, Antonio Arbis, Rod Muñez, and Napoleon Diamante.

The witnesses are Judges Anita Chua, Philadelpha Agraviador, Lorna Demonteverde, Evelyn Gengos, Ludy Ignalaga, Fiscals Mely Maglasang, Catherine Dato, Frances Guanzon, lawyers Henrietta Vinco, Celia Depasucat, Luz D. Lacson, Bella Ramos Benedicto, Mila Moya, and Ms Tess Yusay.

The foreign group to cover the trial: Tommy Olson of Sweden, Sally and Dick Mollemar of Holland, Richard of Norway, Cherry and Sharon of Korea, Naruya Sugaware of Japan, Werner Assebacher of Germany, and Claes Bohlin of Sweden. To confirm her age are the Forty Niners composed of Jose "Baby" Puey, Toti Ramos, Ofe Dingcong - Tursel, Quitoy Feria, Lee Eng Kong, and Imelda Garcia.

* * *

The religious group to pray for the acquittal are Fathers Adam Purdy, Naring de la Cruz, Joevic Lemoncito, Abner Gengos, Tata Borromeo, Raymond Asoy, and the Sacred Heart devotees.

The musical group is composed of Professors Nelly Gomez and Cecile Asico.

I belong to the group to promulgate the decision composed of Ninfa Leonardia, Gerry Galicano, Audey Sa-onoy, and myself. Advance happy birthday and salute to your creativity, Judge Labayen. The problem in this world is that it's too serious. We need once in a while to relax and laugh at some creative capers.

I am not afraid to risk a contempt of court or even a conviction if I borrow the immortal words of Shakespeare in describing Cleopatra. I mean Emma: "Age cannot wither her nor custom stale her infinite variety."

Or as another poet pointed out, "How to grow old is the master work of wisdom and the most difficult chapter is in the great art of living."

* * *

Note: Local NFA Manager Gil Ibarra called up on our item yesterday. I said, I would be very happy to print their reaction.

I told my friend, Gil, I agree people must have enough food to eat, but the government must work that this food is produced by our people.*

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