Leave the Gentlemen Alone…

Both are handsome, desirable and accomplished family men. Incumbent Icot will finish his third term while Alfred has one more term to aim for. With barely eight months to go, for God’s sake, let us leave them alone. While the two Leyte Province and HUC Tacloban godfathers excel in their admirable and unique ways, let us not shortchange ourselves – fellow taxpayers with whatever time is left for them to finish their business.

This is my impassioned plea on behalf of fixed income earners especially, whose withholding taxes are remitted even before the employee is paid. Moreover, both leaders have their own vigorous and spirited values to offer, restore and sustain – so we give them the remaining time to recoup and fast track unfinished agenda.

Can we leave them alone? Let me offer some affirming testimonies of what each has done for their respective constituents. For Icot, there is no question that the Province is in a better position than it was three years ago. Alfred too, like his predecessor father, has carved a positive niche in the investment climate in the city.

Be reminded of being patriotic. Do you love your province and city enough to try untried hands who can only deliver a drop or trickle down if at all? Both aims for an improved water system, both claims to have strong sense of family, however, one has successfully cleaned up and beautify Tacloban and one has made the province back where it should be. It would be counterproductive to draw sharp lines nor to make a statement in favor of one and influence my readers. One successfully attracted Robinsons tzar to invest in the city, and one is making progress with SM Hypermart.

Just what I cannot countenance in our Pinoy political exercise is the idea of endorsing family members. Of course the West do this too, like the Bushes and the Clintons. Can we temper this practice at least to family members who has the calling to serve, and not merely inherit the elective post which according again to practice relies solely on money language.

Talking about language, both should practice the art of diplomacy and smooth interpersonal relations, especially over the airwaves. How unbecoming for one or the other to raise issues on incompetence. By the way, both come from wealthy families, although I really don’t know which one has more than the other. By the way, did both declared their assets and liabilities up to the last centavo?

I believe that just like what US President Clinton said, ‘we’re all in this together’ is a better philosophy than ‘you’re on your own. “ Further, he said, “democracy does not have to be a blood sport, it can be an honorable enterprise.”

By: Dr. Nila L. Filamor

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