Many happy having a
Negrense Senator

The feedback on my column yesterday was that many were happy if we can have a Senator from Negros Occidental. One said, not necessarily Monico Puentevella. But when I said, who else would be best, I didn't get a satisfactory answer.

We need somebody to protect and be the spokesman for the sugar industry and of Negros Occidental.

From Ms Nana Yulo, I got this text, “Senator Mariano Regalado Yulo, was the father of former Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Yulo and grandfather of the late Congressman Mariano Yulo of the fifth district. Yulo's Park of Rosario Street was Senator Yulo's home.”

The text of Nana was on my writing about outstanding Senators from Negros Occidental, I like Enrique Magalona who authored the establishment of the Department of Labor, of Ramon Torres, a well known champion of labor, of Esteban Abada whose contribution in the field of education was very well known. Remember the famous Abada Law?

And many more. Problem is in nearly 60 years, Negros Occidental never had a Senator. And I sincerely believe this time we need Monico Puentevella.

* * *

But, while we were batting for Newks, there were those who told me, what is the stand of Monico? It seems he is for the coal-fired power plant. I don't know. I have not read he is for coal.

I do not believe he will go against the interests of the people of Bacolod . That will be going against Bishop Vicente Navarra and the 71 priests in the Diocese who signed a manifesto against the coal-fired power plant. I believe in listening to Monico himself before I can make any reaction.

But I got this text yesterday from one who asked not to be identified. His text, “There was no House Energy Committee hearing on Nov. 29, according to Elfren Cortez, Committee Secretary of House Energy Committee.” He added, in the “Congress Website, it also did not show a Committee of Energy hearing on Nov. 29.”

* * *

I also got this text from another source who said, he was forwarding the text of a friend. I print it word for word, “I like ang column ni esleyer today appreciating monico. So its timely if tomorrow column he will kol monico attention for manipulating facts at why he is silent. siya pala vice. I think its best na si esleyer ang bumanat sa kanya…”

No! I must hear Monico first.

He is also studying his facts and the situation. Siding with coal is not that easy.

The joke was that if Newks will support coal, being a good singer like the famous black singer, the late Nat King Cole, Monico might be called “Nat King Coal.”

Newks, better use the monicker “Not King Coal.”

The latest call I got was from one who sounded like a priest but refused to be publicly identified. He told me, he called up the PNOC office in Manila and was told there was no one by the name of Bobby Tamayo there.

* * *

I would go for Congressman Monico Puentevella given a chance to explain to Bishop Vicente Navarra and, if possible, with the 71 priests who asked the Energy Regulatory Commission not to approve the Ceneco-Kepco contract.

Monico is a politician. He also has political enemies. It's very possible his political enemies are hitting him.

* * *

I sat down with Ms Eleanor Cabanilla of Victorias and of Vresco before. I asked for a briefing from her on the coal-fired power plants.

Ms Cabanilla is very thorough who wanted to give me stacks of papers. But I begged off because I do not have the time to read all those. And I do not read documents that can be said in a few sentences.

I was very much impressed by the knowledge of Eleanor Cabanilla like that of Romana de los Reyes. It's good they have all the time to study.

* * *

It's good for all that the City Council acted on the Bredco takeover question.

Now, the matter will be brought up in the courts. Bredco Legal Counsel Jack Maalat is just waiting for that. He is capable.

I don't blame the Councilors. With the many nagging them, they had to act. Now, there will be no more nagging.

Bredco is not against it. What they asked is just very simple, “Pay us. And you take over.” I believe that is what the court will also order, “Pay Bredco first.”

Oh, this will take years. But, there will be peace from both sides because the matter is now with the courts.

* * *

I like that picture of the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement against sugar smuggling. The signatories were SRA Administrator Rafael Coscolluela, PASG Chief Antonio Villar, Jesse Aranza and V. Francisco Varua, together with Edgardo Arugay, Rafael Golez and Mike Teczon.

I got this text from my friend Neil Honeyman, “Production is 2.28 million metric tons, 0.17 million metric tons for the Americans, 2.25 million metric tons for Filipinos, 15 percent for reserve, 4 percent for world sugar. Only smuggling explains the mathematics.”

* * *

I got a copy of a position paper and later “an observation” to the answer of City Hall on the issue of “Baha and Garbaga” from “Citizens of Bacolod Danilo Javier and Family”.

I am always interested and also amused when one writes me and identifies himself Bacolod Resident. This time, it was raised higher to Bacolod Citizens. Looking at the crusade that he is launching, Mr. Danilo Javier deserves to be a Councilor.*

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