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Ben Contreras

SOMEBODY sent me a photo of the approach of a bridge in Opol with this caption: Wala pa gani nahuman, naguba na.

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Perhaps the word “naguba” is not appropriate. But even if we used “sub-standard” to describe it, it’s still required sanction by DPWH unless we can accept its excuse given to me before that “things like that happen all the time”.

Somewhere in Laguindingan, a road to Mauswagan was paved. A report reached me that a portion of that road showed traces of minor cracks or poor mixture of cement, short of saying, sub-standard. I remember talking to the new director of DPWH about it and asked, “Do you accept the completion of the project even if there are traces of imperfection or defects?  Is it also acceptable to COA?” His answer was unclear, short of an alibi.

Today, talk is rife that DPWH is still graft ridden. Tony Lustre’s documents would show that DPWH 2018 projects were already given to alleged favored contractors by former DPWH regional director Baroso. One of the five or seven of these favored ones bagged P19 billion of the Region 10 projects for 2018. How much did the rest of them got?

The current regional director, Eduarte, is reportedly having difficulties with his job because the DPWH regional office is swarmed with Baroso’s cohorts. If the report is true, there is a need to overhaul this office.

Aren’t there any smaller contractors in this region? Shouldn’t they raise a howl on why they’re being left out in the cold while only a few continue to dominate the scene?

A tipster said these favored ones are so rich and powerful that they are capable of silencing anyone that crosses their paths? Really? Are they invincible? For every action, there is always a reaction.

***

Mix a gallon of white paint with black, you don’t only make it gray but chance are, when you put in more black paint, it becomes black, too. That is what the PDP-Laban is going through. PDP-Laban continues to accept turncoats from the Liberal Party despite the despicable reputation of the recruits. There are corrupt ones and some are even suspected to be into drugs. But then, the PDP-Laban itself is neither clean nor credible. No wonder it’s been easy to take anybody like welcoming their own ilk.

The LP leadership must be enjoying the developing event, having moles within the PDP-Laban without even trying. I won’t be surprised if the LP agenda get to materialize than that of its nemesis.

If there are those who joined, there are also those who left. At least here in Cagayan de Oro, not a few have signified their displeasure and left. A highly factionalized party will always be unhealthy. Call it by any name, for as long as there is that PDP-Laban brand attached to it, people will just shy away.

There is a dark cloud looming over this party. Whether it would or happen or not, only time will tell. It could be a shocker.

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We’ve been trying to invite the new Clenro to a meeting. So far, he remains elusive. For whatever reason, it is for his good that he obliges. There are things he can learn and take lessons from.

If he doesn’t, well, we will just take it from the angle, “Why him?”

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