Ka gamo sang Bacolod
– balikbayan Bert

“Ka gamo na sang Bacolod . Daw iya-iya na lang (It's troublesome in Bacolod. It's to each his own).”

That was just one comment by my younger brother, Bert, who just came back after at two-year stay in Seattle , USA actually.

It was not startling, just jarring. I had long written about the chaotic conditions obtaining in the city and the tendency of local officials to shove aside the day-to-day problems of the city as they concentrate on the big projects. More for media hype than anything.

But that perception of how Bacolod has deteriorated in the span of just two years was jarring. Bert and his wife, Edith, left barely two years ago. Now they have returned and found themselves disappointed by what they see – the deterioration of Bacolod City .

Bert cited especially the conditions around the Central Market and Bonifacio Streets. The central market environs, he pointed out, is clogged by sidewalk vendors. So with Bonifacio.

“And, I thought, all the time that sidewalks are supposed to be for pedestrians. Now, they are occupied by vendors. And nobody seems to be concerned about clearing them up,” he pointed out.

Now, I'm not going to comment about these perceptions. Just reporting them for the public to think over.

* * *

Valentine's Day takes over from the Senate ZTE hearing. Everybody seems to be looking forward to celebrating the day of lovers today. And, nothing can stop them from enjoying it.

Like most, I've had my fill of the Lozada exposé on the ZTE deal before the Senate.

But one just cannot fail to get disturbed by the report that the so-called – AVSECOM civilian agent, SPO4 Roger Valeroso, is reported to be resting in a safehouse and will appear in time.

Now, assistant manager Angel Atutubo claimed that he just took it was normal his presenting himself as the one to lead Lozada. In short, he did not verify the credentials of one of the security men who was supposed to take care of Lozada.

Now, considering the stature of Atutubo, that seems a rather strange and lame excuse. One who is trying to protect a person from alleged threat to his life would make sure that the persons around Lozada would be above-board. But no, Atutubo took Valeroso at face value. He did not even know him for what later was the explanation – that Valeroso was a civilian agent of the AVSECOM. It took PNP chief Avelino Razon several days to find the name of Valeroso among the retired PNP personnel.

So, what gives? Even Senior Supt. Paul Mascariñas, the head of the security team who took custody of Lozada, following his having been led out of the tube, admitted during the Senate hearing that he was not aware who Valeroso was. In short, he just took him at face value for who he was.

Now, I am no security officer. Still, I would not have taken at face value the person of Valeroso. I would have gone of out my way to verify his credentials to be with the team to secure Lozada.

So, what do we make out of the whole mess?

* * *

Welcome to Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas as regional police director for Western Visayas . He is reportedly the choice of the governor and other local officials of the region.

Earlier, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao had been rumored as the successor to Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay who is set to retire today. Incidentally, a salute to Dulay. Cuevas had served for 10 years as provincial PNP director for Iloilo and held various key positions in the Police regional office in Iloilo City . Thus, he is no stranger to the region and must have thorough working knowledge of the culture and customs of Ilonggos and Negrenses as sell as the Karay-a populations of Antique and the interior towns of Iloilo .

Well, salute to the one who is truly deserving of the position. And welcome to Western Visayas again, Chief Supt. Cuevas.

* * *

I cannot but feel touched by the story of the Balcells family Christian reachout through the GK Alberto Balcells Legacy Village in Barangay Cabatangan, Talisay City . This story in the topic of a well-written piece in yesterday's issue of the Visayan DAILY STAR.

I knew Don Alberto. He was a good friend. And he was always the perfect gentleman. But he was also a Christian. And, I think, it was his relations with God that enabled him to realize through his children-especially Ana, his dream of a GK community for the homeless in Talisay City .

And also he has set a trend among the moneyed class of Negros Occidental to set aside a share of their wealth to solve the problem of homelessness through GK. Tony Meloto, the GK top honcho, is expected to be able to implement this dream with gusto since he is also a Negrense.

As a matter of fact, I found myself rooting for Tony Meloto to be a possible candidate for President of the Philippines. *

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