Gabriela Criticizes Gimmick

A gimmick is a strategy wherein a player goes out of the ordinary to call attention to himself. More often than not, gimmick has been used for a diversion, hitting two birds with one stone: highlighting the good things done to conceal the bad ones as if everything's fine and dandy, making it the most popular campaign stunt, which the following article aims to criticize:


By ROBERT R. REQUNTINA

Women’s advocacy group Gabriela has dismissed as “a scripted political gimmick” the recent television appearances of a teary eyed vice-mayoralty candidate who urged the public to vote for her.

"I think it (crying game) is a strategy to elicit support, however Quezon City voters are intelligent and discerning enough not to be blinded by that. People hardly felt her presence and projects as a councilor." Gabriela party-list Emmi De Jesus said, in an interview.

The group, in a press briefing, has also denied news reports that they are supporting Aiko Melendez, vice-mayoralty candidate, and the latter's running mate, Mike Defensor.

"We fully reject Mike Defensor and denounce in the strongest terms whoever is behind this gimmick which casts doubts on the integrity of the Gabriela women's party-list," De Jesus said.

The women’s group said that their first “concern is who is the source of the false endorsement because definitely we are not endorsing Mike Defensor as mayor of Quezon City” because we are aware of his record as a politician.

Gabriela instead reiterated its support for vice mayoralty candidate Joy Belmonte who is running under the ticket of incumbent mayor Herbert "Bistek" Bautista. Gabriela’s De Jesus cited Joy's half a decade of dedication to eliminating the problem of violence against women in Quezon City.

Father of Modern QC

A CARICATURE OF MEL MATHAY.(Though I seriously wish Manila Bulletin hired a professionally skilled cartoonist so that the sketch will look more like the alleged Father of QC)

By ELINANDO B. CINCO

His progressive ideas still fueled by a sharp and creative mind – managerial ingredients of an immensely experienced administrator.

There is no mistaking that the developments that his successors implemented in and around the Capitol City are his initiatives.

So that in popular parlance, Mel Mathay is, incontrovertibly, the “Father of Modern Quezon City.”

Today he is asking Quezon City residents for their support as he is running again for mayor of the biggest metropolis in Metro Manila, as an independent candidate.

By sheer size (2.8 million residents), QC is so gigantic that only a well-rounded urban development-sharpened manager fits to be its mayor.

In an informal caucus in the house of Dodong and Terry Rosales at Valle Verde-1 recently, attended by the couple’s relatives and friends who are QC residents, Mel Mathay outlined his program of government for the city attuned to 21st century realities.

Hereunder is his agenda of administration (in concise form):

Public assistance services. Provide quick assistance in times of calamity and emergencies, with emphasis on disaster preparedness programs.

Human resources development. Institute anti-corruption measures in government practices; retrain City Hall personnel on moral and ethical standards.

Peace and order. Continue to assist the Central Police District in terms of equipment, communication and transport facilities.

Infrastructure. Build more and rehabilitate inter-neighborhood road networks; schools and health centers.

Environment. Improve waste disposal management; install waste operations facilities, including flood control.

Cultural development. Support performing arts in city schools, barangays and academic communities; establish a museum in cooperation with the University of the Philippines.

Sports and athletics. Update the Amoranto Stadium facilities for sports and athletics; expand the youth sports program.

* * *

JUST IN JEST. With four Garcias running for various elective positions, Bataanons have jestingly labeled them the “Ampatuans of Bataan.” This was related to us last week by retired Balita editor-in-chief Rod Salandanan who once served as Bataan provincial board member.

Not to be outdone are the five Belmontes in Quezon City, led by aging patriarch Sonny. Emersed in the hustings are a daughter for vice mayor, a son gunning for reelection as councilor, a nephew also eyeing a second term in the city council, another nephew angling for a congressional seat in the Second District.

For this wholesale effort, the Belmonte-Fives are known – tongue-in-cheek – as the “Pentagons”!

On the distaff side, sashaying through crowded meetings and caucuses are three inter-related Castelo girls, barely out of their teens; a Medalla girl, daughter of an incumbent councilor, all are giggling their way to the City Council.

Friends campaigning to victory. Two barangay chairmen in the Second District of Quezon City, whose terms are expiring, are casting their lot for council seats: Lito Bernardino and Rannie Ludovica. They are known for their zealous work in their respective barangay projects. Experienced LGU managers, and nice guys too.

Running After Erap's Magic

I know this is over a week late but I just figured why Quezon City Rep. Annie Suzano openly expressed support to former President Joseph Estrada even though she has yet to resign as Lakas Kampi CMD's chairman in QC!

And I really think it's not because her constituents in district II have been clamoring for her to endorse Erap all this time. That's just an obvious publicity and or political stunt.

She jumped ships (or return to her old party. Whatever) because she knows that former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, the bet of administration party in the presidential race, cannot make her win in QC!

I know, right?!? It's that simple. Come to think of it, Gibo has been very busy lately for the final crunch of the campaign after being virtually held hostage by Lakas officials, who do not want him as president. He's definitely got no time for her!

Gibo talaga is very bright, knowing that Suzano is a huge waste of time to even feign the smallest effort as help to make her be the next QC mayor.

So Suzano, my latest laughing stock, went back to the arms of Erap because he was the one who made her win as councilor when she was just starting out a career in politics as QC councilor. She knows she cannot do it alone.

But baby, even with the Erap magic, I dont think you can hocus pocus the minds of the people that youve no match against Mathay, and Bistek. Never mind Defensor, he's like Voldemort. Hehehe

Today's Issues

Legit or not, these issues force voters to become vigilant concerning public issues:

Captain Barbell

Anong mangyayari pag nanalo si Bistek as QC mayor?



... papasok sya everyday ng naka-ganito:

Everybody's Speaking Gibberish

I look at her and I can't help but to stare... because Quezon City Rep. Annie Suzano is a trainwreck. Good for her she's filthy rich. It kinda offsets the defect. Hehe.

My family and I had a chance meeting with Suzano early today when we had our lunch in Gloria Maris Greenhills. And there were a lot of media people. I joined in to eavesdrop. That's the only thing I'm good at, I think.;p

So anyway, she was having lunch with the staff of former President Joseph Estrada. He wasn't there, though. (Sayang, I would have liked to have a picture with man on the wrong side of history). Okay, so she was actually nice... and unusually approachable.

Then these two reporters asked her if she resigned from Lakas as chairman of campaigns in QC before she endorsed Erap. The honorable congresswoman answered with: "Ilang dekada na ako sa ating President Erap, nandito na ako. Yun lang ang masasabi ko."

Boy did she know how to answer. I think she just spoke Chinese. I did not get the idea. And after a good eavesdropping operation, I found out that she meant that she is just returning to her old political party - Estrada's party.

And this brings us back to the question: did she resign from Lakas to be able to return to Erap's party? Pwede naman nya kasing sabihin na lang na yes diba. Ganun din yun.

And then a very funny part happens. These two reporters made comments after the interview:

Reporter 1: Pare, tanong mo kung her support for Erap means an admission that she cant make Gibo win in QC?

Reporter 2: Ayoko nga baka kung ano na naman sabihin nyan. Iba na lang, yung madali at obvious.

Reporter 1: Hmmm.

(After what seemed to be like 4 seconds)

Reporter 2: Eh kung: "Mam, is this you announcing your real support for Erap or is this just you watching for your own back?"

They also spoke Chinese. Ay Mandarin.:))

Laugh!

Gotta admit, this is a good one! And this is sooo Erap! Hehehe!