Outstanding,
but in detention

Senatorial candidate Alan (Peter) Cayetano must be breathing easier now. The Commission on Election declared yesterday that the thorn in his side by the name of Joselito Cayetano who suddenly acquired the nickname of "Peter" when he announced his candidacy for the same position, is being disqualified for being a nuisance candidate.

***

The Cayetano from Mindanao, who had been presented as an official bet for the Senate of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan had for his patron redoubtable lawyer, and also candidate Oliver Lozano. It had been Lozano who had been standing up for the new "Peter" Cayetano when his entry into the KBL was being questioned by no less than the son and heir of the KBL founder himself, the late President Marcos, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Jr.

***

Congressman Cayetano complained and complained, but it seemed the Comelec was adamant. The Cayetano from Davao had every right to seek his place in the sun, and what did it matter that his nickname had always been Jojo (or was it Junjun?) to his family and neighbors? But yesterday, the agency must have seen the light, it noted that Joselito Cayetano could in no way sustain a nationwide campaign for senator because he did not have the wherewithal, nor could he point to anyone who would bankroll him.

***

And so, said the Comelec, they discovered that this Cayetano was a checker for a stevedoring company at the Davao pier and that he was earning only about P10,000 a month. How could he compete against the likes of Prospero Pichay who could spend no less than P34 MILLION in the first few days of the campaign and still show his dimples and smile? Whoever thought of fielding Joselito Cayetano to annoy Alan Peter must have forgotten to give him funds, or was playing a joke on him. But obviously he is not going back to he pier yet, he can still have a few more moments of glory by seeking reconsideration of the ruling against him.

***

But alas, for Alan Peter, his troubles are not yet over. Somebody has come up again questioning his citizenship and insisting that he is an American because his mother was one. The poor fellow has been explaining that until he is blue in the face, but there must be some people who enjoy teasing him. Yesterday he was shown on TV waving his Philippine passport and showing his U.S. visa. Since when did the Americans start issuing visas to their own citizens? I'm afraid that all these ploys against him will only make more people sympathize with Alan Peter. He'll probably finish with more votes than he would have gotten had he been left alone.

***

Well, there are reasons and reasons for going into politics, and even this parish priest in Pampanga has found his own. Fr. Eddie Panlilio of Guagua has announced that he is running for governor of the province to give his people a choice aside from the incumbent Mark Lapid, and the challenger, incumbent board member Lilia Pineda, whose name seems to evoke the word "jueteng" when Pampanga is mentioned. Some churchmen are said to be against one of their members going into politics, but why not? Some of them go into casinos and who can say which is worse?

***

The SandiganBayan gave former President Joseph Estrada permission to leave his detention resthouse in order to attend the celebration in his hometown where he would be given the "Most Outstanding Citizen of San Juan" award. So Erap traveled to San Juan, visited his 102-year-old mother, and proceeded to the awarding rites. Now, the Guinness Book of Records should look into this one: Wherever did you see a plunder suspect and a detainee without bail, being honored as an outstanding citizen?

***

Are they ganging up on us? The United Nations, the European Union, the United States - they are all sending people over to "help" us work on our problem of extra-judicial killings. I don't know what their officials can do, if they don't have training or experience in police or sleuthing work, but since our President has announced that she is welcoming them, so be it. But let's see what they can accomplish, aside from preparing reports, that is.*

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