Advocacy

We motored Sunday to Pontevedra to greet Mrs. Gretchen O. Cojuangco on her birthday. Looking at politicians and hundreds of public school teachers and listening to the speeches of the Mayors in the fourth district pledging their support, Gretchen is virtually now the Representative in Congress of the district.

I think she'll make a good Congresswoman.

It's impressive to see Danding doting on Charlie's and the late Rio's son Jaime sitting on his lap during the Mass.

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Our new NBI supervising agent Mamerto D. Cortez was very well welcomed last Saturday by a small group invited by outgoing NBI supervising agent Philip Pecache, presided over by Regional Director Mario Sison.

I knew Mario Sison with the NBI here as early as 1980. He is very professional.

Lawyer Cortez speaks Ilonggo, his parents both coming from Capiz. It's a big advantage to be able to communicate with the masses.

Tootsie Jimenez of the Rotary Club of Metro Bacolod invited him to be in Rotary to replace Philip Pecache. I encourage him to join Tootsie there.

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Though not in media, I like the advocacy of Ms Gilda Puey Locsin. She texted me and I quote her, "What's happening to our country today? Politicians fighting like cats and dogs for power, tenants against landlords for a piece of property, businessmen against employees, employees against employers, jaywalkers and drivers defying road signs, pickets and rallies everywhere, church meddling in politics, maids stealing from their employers, all these nauseate us when we wake up to read the newspapers in the morning …"

Gilda continues in her text, "Now press people themselves who are supposed to be the vanguard of morals stealing a priceless painting from their own building … Is this what we are as Filipinos and our dignity as a people? Can this be changed? Not in our lifetime, yours and mine. Que lastima! Such a beautiful country. I mentioned stealing because selling what is owned by the National Press Club is tantamount to stealing."

One question, she continued, "If you publish what I texted you will I be liable for libel?" No worry, Gilda. I will join you in jail. Just continue the advocacy.

One thing I can't agree with Gilda. She does not like my writing about literature, songs, and history. That's being literate. I always kid Gilda and I tell her also, "Que lastima!" She must be enjoying "komiks" only.

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I also like the advocacy of Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez. He is having his both fists swinging against celebrities running for elective posts.

They have the poorest performance in office, he charged. We can not disagree. And now, many celebrities are positioning again to run for public office like the Senate.

I like Bishops with advocacy. Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Dagupan is consistent in his fight against gambling. And he does not give it a let-up.

Our own Bishop Vicente Navarra has that commitment too.

Does the Catholic Church still wield a strong influence on morals? We will see this in the proposed entry of small town lottery in Bacolod.

The people being protected are the poor from whom their hard-earned money is placed in bet, in the vain hope of striking it rich.

If the Diocese cannot stop the entry of STL in Bacolod, it will reduce much the influence of the Church on the issue of morals.

I dread that day when our priests will be left just to officiating in the Mass, delivering sermons, baptizing, performing wedding rites, and holding Masses for the dead. And cannot protect the poor.

The politicians, because of, and their big demand for, money do many things that distort moral values.

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The administration and its candidates in this election, will feel the backlash on what was done to Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas and other public officials dismissed or suspended.

Three people involved there were my contemporaries in college in the University of San Agustin: Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Gov. Niel Tupas, and Graftwatch chairman and retired Judge Virgilio Sindico who filed those cases against Tupas.

Sindico was president of the Student Council against whom retired San Carlos RTC Judge Rudy Gustilo fought. Rudy is still around too and he calls up once in a while to comment on what I take up here.

It was that fight between Viling Sindico and Rudy Gustilo that created the first stirrings of student unrest in the country in the early 50s. There were motorcades and rallies that were published in The Manila Times for days.

It led to the expulsion of Rudy Gustilo who transferred here in Bacolod and placed, I think, tenth in the bar.

Ask Raul, Niel, Viling, and Rudy. They remember these.

I sympathize with Rudy, an honest public official who lost his eyesight. When I was Ceneco president he would call up and ask for a few days extension to pay his bills. He lives in Burgos Street.*

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