Only in Divisoria

Ben Contreras

 TECHNOLOGY is making the world smaller and smaller. That’s why when one breaks wind, even Uncle Sam hears it.

It’s not a new story. It’s been going around in the city. But when a relative talks about it elsewhere, like the US, the story will reverberate back to our city.

And so this story about a couple building a P20-million house is making a comeback. “Where is the money coming from?” they asked. Well, if they can do that, their boss can, too.

Once, I thought there is such lifestyle check on government officials and employees. Alas, we’re only good at slogans while they laugh walking all the way to the bank with the people’s money.

There are good and bad karma. Either way, it will surely catch up.

• •

Horse trading is going on or is it a done deal already that the Liberals will give way to a plunderer with the assurance that the latter won’t run after any of the LP’s key people in the future. In return, the administration will do everything to disqualify a Mindanaoan candidate for president.

Well, anyone can play it dirty. Anyone can cooperate in this game as long as there is something in return. Who loves this country anyway?

Poor, Mar Roxas. First, there was this talk of PNoy said to openly support Mar but in truth, the heart is for Grace Poe. Now this!

I am beginning to believe that this administration has a lot to hide, and fear for.

• •

One afternoon in Divisoria, I saw this RTA enforcer carrying a clamp. I checked what’s ahead of me. Several cars were parking with their emergency lights on, except for one. It must be this SUV. Then it occurred to me what a nephew (a motorela driver) said, “Ang balaod para lang sa mga pobre, kay ang mga dato (referring to expensive cars) dili man gadakpon.”

Why he came to this conclusion was because he witnessed how expensive car owners get away, and don’t get tickets from the RTA. The reasons could be because the driver is an acquaintance, a convincing talker, a person in authority or simply intimidating. But to them, the poor, there’s no consideration at all. It may be true, but it’s not the case all the time.

But I would like to raise this point. Is clamping good only in Divisoria? The reason for clamping is not happening in Divisoria alone but seems to be limited in that place only. Every rule in the book is being used in Divisoria but not elsewhere as if Divisoria has become a secluded garrison in itself.

Maybe, it’s about time to move and expand. But again, this is long overdue, and may have been overtaken by time already.

If there would be a new administration in the city, I hope the one in power would do better.