The case for and against Congressman Eddie Nachura - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

The article I wrote on Samar and Congressman Eddie Nachura drew varied reactions from our readers. Nachura, one of the prosecutors in the aborted impeachment trial of former President Estrada, was suddenly thrown into the limelight. Samar is an obscure province and as obscure as the province are most of the politicians who represent it. Congressman Nachura, many believe did a good job for the country. But not everybody agrees. From my pigeon hole in Philippine STAR , I got letters, some of which praise the good congressman while others whack him without mercy.

The first letter came from Rufina Garalza who signed her letter Mana Rufing. Mana Rufing is proud to have Nachura for a congressman. She seems to know the congressman very well. In her letter, she unabashedly turns into a soothsayer.

Boy, I can foresee that you’ll become a great political figure in Samar. Just hone your unlimited talents and follow in the footsteps of Sir Nachura and other great leaders of ours.

Mana Rufing, thank you for the kind words. I don’t know where the winds will lead me. I always open my heart to the infinite possibilities that the universe offers. Right now, I leave politics to my mother who is running for Councilor in my hometown, Borongan. She is a third termer and I am proud. Borongan is a small town. It would not take you a whole day to go around and visit its municipio, mercado, singbahan, among others. People know one another and everyone is a kamag-anak or a friend.

Mana Rufing also asked me if I could give the kindest and sincerest regards to my Auntie (who I last saw when I was still in primary grade in Catbalogan, Samar), Mrs. Trinidad Alpez, if ever you happen to go home to Borongan again. Give also my regards to Mana Amparing and her daughter. They’re my closest relatives on my mother’s side.

Another letter I got, in reaction to what I wrote about Denn Meneses’ letter, is from Jose Hermosura from the town of Villareal in the Northern part of Samar. He wrote.

As a Samareño, like Denn Meneses and you, I crave for the day when traveling to my hometown would be a delightful experience. Traveling to Villareal, especially during the rainy season, is such an ordeal. Do you know that we have the "longest gym" in the country? As soon as you enter the 11-kilometer Pinabacdao-Villareal junction of the provincial road, every reluctant passenger would surely oblige to do "ballroom dancing" inside the bus or jeep..... Samar, has perhaps the monopoly of bad roads in the Philippines.

I feel for you, Mr. Hermosura. Like you, I have danced the boogie and tango inside buses and jeepneys while cruising through the thick forests of Samar. The irony is that I never learned how to dance properly. But I’m happy to say that at least, the experience from my recent travel to my hometown was no longer bone-breaking. But there were still moments when I did the samba.

Anyway, you also wrote that Warays should come up with an annual Waray Festival that will showcase our culture through songs, dances, literature, products and crafts, among others. I passionately agree.

Last letter I got is from Lorenzo Diaz, who is not a fan of Congressman Nachura. He wrote that Nachura is a congressman only for the prestige of the said position. He does not care about the people of Samar. He is an elitist who is not really after the welfare of the majority of the Samar people – the mangingisda, the farmers, the low-income earners, the underprivileged.... He is a good for nothing congressman.

Samar does not need Nachura anymore. What the second district needs is an effective representative who will really work for the benefit of its people. I am sorry to Nachura and his camp but his propaganda will not really work effectively with the people. We know what he has not done and we will show our outrage on May 14. Congressman Nachura should stop fooling the people and stop using Mr. Abunda.

Mr. Diaz, let me assure you that Congressman Nachura, who I haven’t even met in person, is not using me. I notice in your letter that your outrage is so intense, you cannot be a true-blue Waray.