Buying time?

Ben Contreras

OLD soldiers never die, they just fade away. But this does not apply to the Gold Star Daily amid the competition. GSD survives, just moves on, and continues to grow.

Today marks the paper’s 27th anniversary, and it keeps on becoming stronger.

Congratulations to the GSD family!

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My column was overtaken by events. On Monday morning, former Taglimao barangay chairman William Guialani called up to inform me of a possible commotion at city hall. The reason: the Ombudsman has upheld its previous decision to dismiss Mayor Oscar Moreno and perpetually bar him from holding any government position. The Ombudsman denied Moreno’s motion for reconsideration.

Another legal battle looms, and we hear all sorts of legal interpretations via media. Crucial is the implementation of the dismissal order.

During the first takeover attempt, the DILG office, supposedly under Mar Roxas, was perceived to have been trying to delay the serving of the order, giving Moreno enough time to seek redress from a court. Their excuse, as reported on radio was that, they’re afraid of being ganged up by Moreno’s supporters. But we all know that when the DILG is tasked to serve an order, they do not just go there by themselves but are escorted by members of the police force.

This time, as I write this, a similar scenario is possible since there has not been any change in the people at the DILG office. The people there could still be loyal to Mar Roxas or the LP, giving Moreno enough time to seek help from big politicians like the Pimentels.

One way to make a delaying tactic effective is not to receive the order or make one disappear or unavailable.

I remember that event when an order for the then governor Dongkoy Emano to vacate the capitol was being served. One of his supporters, who is now with Moreno, whacked the order from the hands of the person serving it. The order was nevertheless posted on the wall of Dongkoy’s office.

When Atty. Dale Mordeno said in an interview that the mayor has not received the copy of the order, was he telling the truth? Or was it just another ploy to buy time?

There was this post, however, by city information officer Maricel Casiño Rivera that caught my attention and curiosity. I commented: “Something is very wrong with this post. Have you not noticed it?” Somebody may have noticed it. I couldn’t find it anymore. Erased?

Anyway, people, including media, will be divided again. Those whose interest would be threatened will come to Moreno’s defense. But this is something neither the people nor the media can dispose with and decide on. It’s always the court.

Lawyers are said to be always correct in their own interpretation but the best interpretation always wins.

Are there more cases to be decided soon? Plunder cases, I heard. There is another to be filed if promises are broken. Tadah!

Vultures are said to be the cruelest of all birds. They not only feast on carcasses; they are also capable of waiting and watching their prey breathe its last.

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By the time this sees print, Rodrigo Duterte has already taken his seat as the 16th President of the Republic. Filipinos are eager to see him fulfill his promises. He just can’t afford to fail them.

To President Rodrigo R. Duterte, be safe and be wise.