Ben Contreras IT didn’t turn out good. It was supposed to be a motorcade or a caravan, not a rally. We arrived before 8 am, and a few cars were already there, including the supposed organizer. We were given tarps for our car. Some arrived a little later. The Karancho group was there with more than 10 members with their big bikes. Some Plazans were also there. But the motorcade didn’t take place as scheduled. More than 50 cars were supposed to join us from other places. It was almost 9 am and a few were already asking, “When do we start?” The sun was high and the heat was making everyone uncomfortable. When the dignitaries finally arrived, they were made to deliver speeches about things the people there already knew about. Somebody commented, “You don’t sell to people already ‘captured.’” The speeches took more time, and people were getting impatient. “What’s the plan? Who is the organizer? What taking us so long?” they asked. It was almost 10 am and when we finally moved out, it was almost to each his own. We followed the vehicle peppered with tarps of Duterte and when we reached Liceo, there were only the two of us. We’re lost. We left and went to the CDO CRCD seminar at Philtown. Passing by Maharlika Bridge, ABS-CBN was there, waiting in position to take a shot at the motorcade. When we came back to join, they were all gone. Yes, the GSD report is correct. Only a few came. It was not about Duterte but a result of poor planning. Better luck next time, guys!
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Money and power make people insensitive to what is moral and just. When the underlings enjoy the perks that power can offer the way their master does, they abandon everything including decency and righteousness. Such is the case in some departments and offices of the city government. It’s even surprising that those who hold the legitimate titles/positions are relegated to mere second fiddles while those nearer to the heart of their master call the shots. Change didn’t come to Cagayan de Oro City in terms of honest governance. But some Cagayanons see change because this administration did things the former didn’t notwithstanding the lack of transparency in them and no matter how much money they made. Sometimes we could act like queer birds seeing what’s wrong in other cities but ours. Or we can be so forgiving to the sins of our own government officials but not those in the national scene because of friendship and kinship. Worse, never mind the amount that has been in question as long as our thirst is quenched by a few drops from the bucket. Okaynalang! Cagayanons will again be divided in the coming elections. The business sector has not been spared by political partiality between those who benefitted and those who didn’t, legally or otherwise. There are issues friends do not want to tackle for fear of opposing views that would create friction and unintentional wounds. Suddenly, this saying occurs to me. The oppressed today is the tyrant of tomorrow. Somebody just told me: He is worse than DongkoyEmano!
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I have nothing against dancing traffic enforcers. It’s been there for years. Sonny Vidal popularized it. He is one of those I admire. But I admire him more for taking time to make extra money the decent way by selling cold bottled water in the streets. Teach them the right moves, Sonny!