The marriage of Carapali

True, the marriage of Joseph Stephen Paduano, alias Carapali Lualhati, is a private affair. But it has become a public issue because of the allegations by his first wife, Jenelyn, declaring that his first marriage to Ma. Lalaine Lam, took place before the declaration of the finality of annulment of his first by the court.

In short, that really had no bearing on the private decision by an individual to junk overboard his first wife and take in another partner. But the charges must first be looked into as well as the demand by Jenelyn for support for the Carapali children. There should be an explanation from Lualhati on these issues. He cannot hide behind the claim that it is a private affair. He has now become a public figure and whatever he does, be it good or wrong, will have an impact on the public, including his followers.

***

The death in a motorcycle accident Saturday of Richard Rodrigazo and his, wife, Jocelyn may just be another one of those unavoidable events that we see almost daily in Bacolod and suburban towns.

Now, that report from the Talisay City police did not state whether Rodrigazo or his wife had their helmets on. But I suspect that neither had their protective headgear.

The point I'm raising is that the police or traffic aides hardly arrest motorcyclists who do not wear their protective headgear despite the ordinance making it mandatory. I have often seen couples riding tandem or up to three along Montelibano Avenue and the North Drive without their protective helmets. And, ironically, I have yet to see anyone accosted by traffic aides, traffic cops or event the Land Transportation Office. Many times, I have seen the LTO roving unit engaged in a palaver at street corners or alongside the main throughfares. But never have I seen them flagging down violators of the helmet ordinance or law.

You know, I think, starting this week, I will take the count of motorcyclists allowed to go scot free with this violations, the time I saw them, and the names of traffic aides along the area where I had spotted them. Perhaps, that will spur our traffic officers to do their duty instead of just, as I had often seen them, engaging one another in idle talk while traffic violators do their own thing.

***

Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella is correct. The penalty for violating the law against driving while having taken intoxicating liquor is rather very low that it does not discourage people from driving after a heavy drink or two.

The laws in the United States and other developed societies are too stringent to make it discouraging for an intoxicated driver to endanger his life, that of his passengers and those of riders of other vehicles. As well as pedestrians, of course.

We, drinkers, always justify ourselves on the grounds that we can still drive unerringly even if we have imbibed several bottles of beer or have swallowed several shots of whisky. I remember once in Metro Manila when the late Tommy Bagatsing scared the hell of me when he kept swerving left and right along Roxas Boulevard while driving me home, with my wife and several of our children.

And what riled me was his boast that "You see, I drive okay.. nothing to worry about."

Then there are the tapes of the Dumaguete scandal and the Bacolod scandal which were peddled like hot cakes during their time. Briefly, of course, stolen tapes never relishes people. But they do damage the reputation of the girls, especially, those who are caught in the act without their knowledge.

Only voyeurs and the aberrant personalities really enjoy these sights. But there are a lot of these people around. Now, by increasing the penalties for stolen videos are private acts and for peddling them for material gain may discourage the practice.

Well, most well-meaning Christians should back up Newks on these two bills. Especially that one on stolen videos.*

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