‘Highwaymen’

While there are many theories as to why Ping Lacson has decided to go public with “His” list, what is clear to me is that by beating DOJ Secretary De Lima to the punch, he has managed to knock the wind out of any advantage De Lima has had in her political poker game. Whether the list is real or fabricated, Ping Lacson certainly put everyone on the spot, placed himself in the limelight and got even with De Lima for her pot shots against the “Fugitive Lacson.” Some will certainly conclude that Lacson is not a team player or even a dangerous maverick for the P-Noy administration. But an observer of “geo-politics” suggested to me that Lacson might actually be playing to the “Americans” or the Business sector in order to present or promote himself as a better version of P-Noy for 2016. By showing his ability to “go it alone” with no fear or favor, Lacson could be prancing about presenting himself as “The Dark Horse” that certain spooks in town have been watching out for.

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According to a small-time politician the current controversy over the Napolist or Napoles List of partakers, partygoers, associates and freeloaders, makes him appreciate the fact that while he is a small time Mayor, he has a big time God backing him. He also shared a scene in the movie The Untouchables where Kevin Costner moves for a Judge to change an entire Jury because they were on a list of people who have received bribes. Contrary to expectations, the Judge changed the entire Jury after Costner whispered something into the Judge’s ear. Shocked and surprised, the State Prosecutor asked, “How did you manage to do that?” Costner replied: “I told him his name was also on the ledger.”

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Our personal and community-based war with the Department of Public Works and Highways has just kicked into high gear after the neighborhood realized that the DPWH had been playing villagers for fools. During the second meeting with sector leaders, DPWH representatives reportedly emphasized that their visits and talks were not public consultations but simply their effort to get the pulse and record the sentiments of residents and leaders regarding the proposed construction of the Lawton – Sta. Monica bridge that would connect Fort Bonifacio with the Ortigas business district. Apparently the DPWH people don’t want to be bound, or officially recognize or put on record that the residents of Barrio Kapitolyo are opposed and publicly reject the proposal to construct the bridge to nowhere!

An interesting point that came out of the second “blah blah blah” of the DPWH is that the project would start with bidding by July 2014. Yes it’s interesting because none of the residents I know has ever heard of offers to buy from the DPWH and at what price? Its either a case of “We will cross that bridge when we get there,” or is someone pushing for the bidding to push through because someone stands to collect a nice fat commission and can leave the mess to the winning bidders to deal with? I hate to be accusatory or suspicious, but in the face of vehement almost violent opposition, why would mere government officials or representatives put up stone faced determination to pursue a course and a plan that is both highly disadvantageous to the government as well as to the residents of Barrio Kapitolyo?

What would so motivate people from the DPWH that they would risk facing legal action and public harassment just to see through a very unpopular and badly designed plan? In the same breath, Kapitolyo residents are also asking “Where art thou o beloved Mayor of Pasig?” and wherefore art thine officials? Why oh why have you abandoned us in our hour of adversity? Why so silent are our officials and why has the Barangay officials of Barrio Kapitolyo opted not to officially declare their formal opposition to the Lawton- Sta. Monica Bridge project? Are they waiting for permission to speak from the Mayor or some unseen hand?

I have personally mentioned the matter to our Congressman Roman Romulo and I would suggest that he study the history of the proposed project and do a parallel study of property sales on the proposed route or site of the bridge as it cuts to Meralco Avenue. Somehow I can’t help suspecting that someone or some big conglomerate involved in development had insider information and stand to benefit from the sale of properties at “commercial zone” rates. In the last 16 years living here, I’ve seen big chunks of the proposed site sold, then declared by barangay officials as commercial zone, and now the dormant project during PGMA’s time is revived at the end game of the P-Noy administration. Call it conspiracy theory, but when government officials are too pushy and reckless, it begins to stink!

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While on the subject of scams, foreign and local tourists arriving at various terminals at the NAIA are being victimized by “scalpers” or scammers who meet them at the exit doors of the terminals offering official airport taxis with fixed prices. What they do is overprice the fare by P100 to as much as P300, conspire with certain drivers who get the trip ticket at the official airport taxi counter. Since the payment is suppose to be made to the driver, airport authorities or passengers are clueless about the rampant scam.

Proof of this is the presence of many men and women offering taxis to tourists and travellers. Unless you’re a regular who knows that the prices are written on a board based on areas, you would have no idea you’re being scammed because it all looks so official; trip tickets, uniforms and all! I confirmed this from an elderly driver who resented the misrepresentation and potential damage to the integrity of other drivers. Unfortunately I was told that the honest cabbies could not complain because the airport police are on the take. There can be no denying this considering the presence of all the scalpers at the exits.