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Ben Contreras

LUMAD or not, let us talk as one… as Kagay-anon.

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Davao Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte is one leader that successfully made Davaoeños follow and obey laws. It may be out of fear, cooperation, voluntarily or simply coming from the heart, but Davao has put its place in the world as one of the most livable cities through honest and resolute leadership.

Cagayan de Oro may not have a Duterte but we, Kagay-anon, the people, can be a Duterte. If our leader cannot do it right, we, the people can make it right. After all, we, the people, are the government. Ours is a “… government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

A Church leader once told me that if there are stories against a leader, we, the citizens, should gather evidence and not just talk. So why don’t we?

A Lumad Kagay-anon also said, “We’re good only at talking but not in deed.” Are we? If we are not, then let’s start organizing, and start from a small and noisy group. Already, one is in the offing.

The main advocacy: honest governance, transparency and accountability.

The prospects of manipulated elections next year is threatening us. Before the true voices of the people are muted and undermined, let our voices be heard today.

Today marks another month of remembering unfulfilled justice for the Maguindanao Massacre victims. Who can forget the promise of PNoy that the government will bring the guilty ones behind bars? Towards the end of his term, the President’s promise remains just that––a promise.

Methinks politics allowed promises to die a natural death.

Mayor Oscar Moreno pursues his proposed budget of P4.8 billion, if I am not mistaken. Why this much money? Councilor Elipe e-mailed me a report of the General Fund Statement of Income and Expenses ending Dec. 31, 2014, a report made and certified by city accountant Beda Joy Elot, stating savings of around P600 million.

Why ask for more? Could it be because 2016 is election year? During Dongkoy Emano’s time, the income of the city rose to P300 million over the previous year’s. But the following year, an election year, the income was a flat-liner over the previous year. There is a similarity here, don’t you think so?

Vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo pulled off a surprise by taking the side of the environmentalists, and against coal-fired power plants. That makes her an oddball in the Liberal Party but endeared her to those who value our environment.

I wonder if she could pull off a much bigger surprise by winning. Many love to see her win. She comes not as a politician but a down-to-earth public servant. She just won my vote.

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