A challenge to VP Binay

In a headline story last Wednesday, Vice President Jejomar Binay was challenged by Liberal Party leaders, namely, DBM Secretary Butch Abad and Cavite Congressman Joseph Emilio Abaya, LP Secretary General, to state his stand whether the VP was supporting the administration’s stance against Ex President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The challenge was issued after the camp of VP Binay confirmed the formation of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) coalition senatorial ticket for 2013. The Liberals found objectionable the inclusion of “GMA allies and critics of the administration” in the proposed lineup. Sensing the folly of their challenge, Malacañang thru Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda announced that DBM Sec. Abad denied making the challenge. Malacañang must have realized that VP Binay with an 80 percent satisfaction rating is an asset to the Aquino Administration and any moves to sideline him is ill advised. After all 2016 is 4 years away. President Aquino said he is open to a LP-UNA unity slate.

Political analysts say that the Abad-Abaya challenge betrays their concern about the strength of the powerhouse UNA senatorial slate. The LP has no business poking its nose into the affairs of the UNA in the same way that it would be out of order for VP Binay to comment on prospective senatorial candidates of the Liberal Party.

To maintain the democratic system of checks and balances, it is advisable to maintain an independent Senate with constructive fiscalizers, especially since the House is already controlled by Malacañang.

Meanwhile, the Nacionalista Party headed by Sen. Manny Villar is being courted by both the LP and UNA to join a coalition. Former Surigao Gov. Robert Ace Barbers announced that the NP will form a 3rd force with a senatorial slate headed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, former Cong. Cynthia Villar, Cavite Cong. Jesus “Boying” Remulla and himself.

At Muñoz City in Nueva Ecija, VP Binay introduced Joey de Venecia and Cong. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay as future senators. Also under consideration is Nancy Binay, eldest daughter of VP Binay. Also possible senatorial candidates are former Sen. Freddie Webb, former Leyte Cong. Ted Failon, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia and Cong. Rodolfo Antonino. Which ticket they will join remains to be seen.

*      *      *

PROGRESSIVE ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR . . We were invited by President Carlicita A. Saniel to address the 2-day commencement exercises of the JH Cerilles State College in Pagadian and the 2nd at Mati, San Miguel last Wednesday and Thursday. More than 700 graduated from 15 courses being offered by the JHCSC including law, nursing, education, HRM, Information Technology, AB, Agriculture, Criminology, Industrial Education, Food Technology and Forestry.

JHCSC is a big success story. It was created by law in 2001 when it had 5 campuses. After 13 years it now has 21 campuses, going up to 23 next year to cover the 26 towns of Zamboanga del Sur. What is remarkable is the fact that the 16 additional campuses are funded by the municipal mayors from municipal funds.

The standard of instruction is assured by the fact that its campuses are headed by 21 PhD holders with PhD holders from the public schools also appointed as part time instructors.

Its high quality of instruction is proven by the fact that it has attained a good passing rate in the teachers and nursing exams. JHCSC produced a 6th placer in the Teachers exam and has a 91 percent passing rate in the nursing exam, the highest in the region. Two of its law graduates passed the bar exams.

It is truly a pro poor institution in view of the low tuition fee which includes only P6,000 per semester for nursing students compared to P30,000 in private schools.

The success of the JHCSC system is due to the high priority and support extended by the provincial leadership headed by Gov. Antonio Cerilles, Congresswoman Aurora Enerio Cerilles and Cong. Victor Yu. Congratulations for a job well done.

Zamboanga del Sur has a population of 1.2 million and is considered the most peaceful in Region 9.

Among the officers of Josefina H. Cerilles State College are Dr. Carlicita Saniel, president; Dr. Mila Samin, academic program director; Dr. Mary Jocelyn Battung, research and planning director; and Dr. Gerry Superales, research director. Other officers are Adelina Ursaiz, Raymund Indangan, Dr. Lina Codilla, Dr. Regina Cuizon, Dr. Felix Donio, Dr. Noemi Gallemit, Dr. Agnes Riñon, Julieta Cebrero, Dr. Moises Tangalin, Dr. Jocelyn Tomboc and Dr. Melrose Sali-ot.

JHCSC has earned the right to become a full fledged University. Gov. Tony Cerilles plans to add medicine and pharmacy into the course offerings.

*      *      *

DEADLY HIGHWAY . . The latest accident at NLEX involving Genesis Bus and a cargo truck killing 3 bus passengers and wounding 15 others once again raises the danger of speeding buses in that expressway.

Weekly, deadly accidents occur at both NLEX, SLEX and the Batangas Tollway.

The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and LTO must take more preventive measures including regular examination of bus drivers for drug use. In certain stretches, the speed limit must be reduced. Most of the accidents happen at the San Simon-San Fernando portion.

*      *      *

TIDBITS . . . All the 4 local papers in Pagadian headlined the Mindanao power crisis.

Reliable sources report they have now floating drug laboratories off the shores of Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Norte.

The Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center is being upgraded from 200 to 350 beds purely funded by provincial funds. They have 35 doctors.

The Provincial Board of Zamboanga del Sur has passed a resolution offering to host a nuclear plant in the province.

DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo claims that all jueteng operations in Camarines Sur have been stopped.

Greetings to avid readers Atty. Anthony Padayhag, Rose Adjawin, Maimai Jungco, and former Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.