It's Lomibao who
should watch out

To borrow the title of a movie produced by some local talents and said to be about local folk: "Nasa-an si Ping?" Where, really is former General and now Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson? He used to be the most audible, most visible member of the Senate, the constant thorn in the side of the first gentleman and, naturally, his lady. But after the FG went into voluntary exile, Ping Lacson has not been heard from for some time now.

***

What is surprising is that, with all the talk about "alleged coups" (that is how the foreign press keeps referring to it), Ping, who used to be blamed for everything that happened, has been so silent, so invisible. How come they hadn't connected him to a cabal or two, also? I hope he is not ailing, it would be a pity to lose such a controversial figure as him. If I may have a guess, he's probably abroad again, digging out some more evidences against his persecutors. But sine he is also a very clever fellow, he is probably lying low because there are so many headline matters going on, any exposé or revelation he may make will surely be eclipsed. But really, where is Ping Lacson? Does Malacañang know and just not telling?

***

If I were a friend of Philippine National Police Chief Arturo Lomibao, I'd warn him to watch out. From the latest developments involving the abominable Proclamation NO. 1017, he and his men may be left holding the proverbial bag. Already some bright boys of the administration are admitting that the actions taken by Lomibao's men are not strictly within the ambit of the proclamation. They seem to imply that the atrocities committed were just initiatives of Lomibao and his men. Note that Malacañang has already warned: Don't blame GMA for the implementation of her proclamation.

***

Maybe we should allow (wrong word?) the President to issue that Proclamation again and see how the police and military will implement it this time. They may have learned a thing or two already about sticking to the letter and not make their own interpretation or read between the lines. The same goes for those cops who hauled off a congresswoman after snatching her from a group of marchers for Women's Day. Some legal minds have also said that they shouldn't have arrested her, much less in that manner. Especially because an alert photographer had taken a shot of Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros Baraquel being bodily stuffed into a police vehicle. As usual, the cops will be ones to face the music, not those who assured them they could go that far.

***

As for the PP-1017, the High Court has given the protagonists another 15 days to come up with their arguments and submit them. Then the SC will have to study them for some time, before deciding. Maybe it will require some more explanations, whatever. Next thing we know, another supercalifragilistic issue will come up and we will all have forgotten what we had been agitating about during a mere state of national emergency.

***

We had so many exciting happenings in connection with the celebration of Women's Day, with some high profile females getting into the news. But some outstanding women had their moments of glory recently, too. One of them was one of Bacolod City's authentic beauty queens, the former Hermelinda "Hermie" Ramos, now the widow of Raymundo Dizon Sr. who marked her 93rd birthday on March 2, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with even those out of the country participating in the program in her honor.

***

The grand affair held at the Business Inn was a costume party, and it was highlighted by her entrance, wearing an exotic Chinese costume fit for an emperor's partner. Tiay Hermie, as we call her, was as goodlooking as ever, as she sat blissfully watching her kin honoring her. To the Ramos clan, she is now the treasured matriarch, being the oldest member in Bacolod City. I know that was a very happy and memorable birthday, Tiay Hermie, so this time we, your relatives in the Ramos clan, all wish you more happy and fulfilled days, and more and more birthdays!*

back to top