Wanted: A younger leader

Ben Contreras

NOTHING lasts forever, not even tyranny because life is finite.

There is no need to speculate about Dongkoy Emano’s health. Even if the reports aren’t true, he still cannot escape the fact that he is 74 years old, and not in the best shape to carry another campaign rigors. The better he realizes this now and the best for his so-called “kabus” to look beyond Dongkoy for a younger leader, whoever.

Dongkoy has proven enough. Good or bad, he has shown how he mastered the art of politics by dominating the province and the city for decades. His defeat was not about Oca Moreno but more on how the people clamored for change. Moreno was just the instrument.

So, for those who like Dongkoy, pray for him if you must. For those who hate him, forgive and forget. When we all go to dust and our names etched in stones become blurred by elements, we will all be forgotten like those before us.
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This time, it wasn’t the usual hopping stint from one project to another of Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. It was simply the blessing of 11 units of PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) ambulance for distribution. PCSO bigwigs from the head office were around, so were politicians from the city and province of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Marawi.

Recipients of the ambulances are the Mindanao University of Science and Technology, Central Mindanao University, Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology, Mindanao State University, Misorcares (four units), Opol, Cagayan de Oro, and Northern Mindanao Medical Center.

Aside from the ambulances, PCSO also gave P3.4 million and P213 thousand to Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental, respectively, as their lotto income shares.

Rep. Rodriguez has been criticized for crediting himself for projects that don’t belong to him. Maybe so. But if you scrutinize the billboards, some were certainly his while the others, through his initiatives. It’s been through his and his brother Rep. Maxie Rodriguez’s initiatives that many things are happening in the city. Mere words do not make results. Initiatives do.

Among the guests are Opol Mayor Max Seno, Misamis Oriental Gov. Bambi Emano (always humble in dealing with people), Dr. Ignacio Moreno, Dr. Rosalito Quirino, President of Moscat, among others.

It’s good that the new ambulances were procured at lower prices but with bigger engines, and more gadgets.
Gov. Emano, according to reports, just acquired several custom-made “Multicabs” to serve the remote barangays in the province. They’re sturdier for more rugged terrain. Getting four ambulances for Misorcares must have made the governor very, very happy.