Local media
more professional

I have noted a marked improvement in the news presentation of our local media, particularly radio. I believe all have to improve too.

And the secret here is our radio listeners, the public. You cannot fool them. They can feel the bias.

If it is in print, they can read between the lines.

The issues between Congressman Monico Puentevella and Mayor Evelio Leonardia are terrific. But when I listen to the radio, they are handling them quite well. When one side is interviewed, the other side is also presented. And the issue is left to the public to decide who is right.

Radio is the most aggressive and has a wider reach. But, like in Manila, the most effective medium is still television. That is where more sophisticated candidates go to. And that is where their budget is biggest.

Audio-visual, meaning you hear and see, is more effective in communication than just audio or just visual. Audio is in radio and visual is in print.

***

Media professionalism does not mean one does not have a bias. Only morons and fools do not have a bias. But, when one is professional, he can keep his bias to himself.

In advanced countries, to cite a few, in Britain and in the U.S., news commentators tell the public their party affiliation. But, they do not use their party affiliation to make a stand on issues. By being honest, they become credible. Starting today, there are over 70 days before election day on May 14. But there are only 66 days to campaign. Campaigning is not allowed on Holy Thursday and Good Friday and campaigning will end on May 12.

For local candidates, actual campaigning will start after the filing of the certificates of candidacy on March 29.

This will be the day we will see real fireworks.

This is a good election. The issue is graft and corruption.

***

Salute to my friend Edmund Aspero for exposing the payroll padding in one of the barangays here. But, what happens now because the officials involved will not permit themselves to be interviewed? Are we just up to making noise? Will people who feel they are cheated not file the case or cases in court?

Payroll padding is done in almost all barangays. Because all money that came from the city or from Congress is audited, let there be an honest-to-goodness auditing.

***

It was in payroll padding that I had my first brush with graft. It was then I told myself I would not work in government. And I never did. While in college I took a civil service examination and passed with high grades.

Three times I received a letter for employment. I did not accept it. I did not see a future in it.

On that payroll padding, while in high school our town was building after the war its public market. The mayor got high school students to work during summer at a wage of 30 centavos a day.

Don't laugh. This was 1947. Before the war it was even only 20 centavos a day. And the work was not hard. The work was just to help putting up nipa roofing, standing on the ground and giving nipa shingles to one working up there.

On weekends, we were made to sign the payroll. I saw opposite my name a big amount. I just kept quiet hoping they made a mistake. But when I received the money, it was only a small amount.

I complained that I signed for a big amount. I was just brushed aside. The following week I was not accepted to work and the reason was others would be given a chance too. That government stealing through payroll padding got stuck in my mind.

***

That piece I wrote about Sammy Palanca got a big number of positive responses, one of which was a column written by Rolly Espina.

I am still serious in my offer to work for a recognition of Sammy Palanca by local media. I will raise the fund to buy the plaque and to pay for a dinner to be held in one of the hotels here for the awarding.

Because Sammy is the awardee he must not be made to spend even a centavo. I will get Rolly to help me.

This will be a notice to other businessmen. If they work for the good of the province of our city, they will be recognized.

I know many do it not after the recognition but purely for a service. This one is public service, pure and simple. It is this kind of people who must be recognized.

***

Last Saturday among media people, they were telling me to run for Congress in the Third Force with Joel Dojillo for mayor.

I thought it was just a joke. Yesterday, many came to me and encouraged me to run.

You know I am not a kill-joy. I did not say I will. Neither did I say I will not.

My answer is the most popular answer people can make to a hard question. "I will study it."*

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