Change is coming

It was a surprise to hear from a number of ordinary persons like taxi drivers, security guards, and day-to-day workers as well as passionate social media posts about the looming tandem of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano for the 2016 presidential and vice presidential elections as the strongest to surface as a serious threat to the candidates for president and vice president.

In fact, Duterte-Cayetano supporters are sure that with Duterte and Cayetano at the helm of government, “change is coming,” i.e., the government will touch the lives of the poor and the middle class.

As I write this piece, eyes and ears are glued to media outlets as to when, what time, the partnership will file its certificates of candidacy. I can feel the quivering of hands as the candidates sign their COCs.

People we talked with say that there’s experience and youthful dynamism in the Duterte-Cayetano team as they present to the public their programs for fighting poverty, rising criminality, rampant graft and corruption and stopping China’s bullying us.

Mayor Duterte is famous – his opponents say, notorious – for bringing to the table his proven executive leadership that has caused Davao City to prosper economically and to earn praises for its law and order and discipline.

Duterte has attracted admirers for his unorthodox methods of clamping down on law violators. The masses certainly cheer when he makes pronouncements about shooting down drug dealers and smugglers and people smoking in public places. He can sack rowdy Koreans off the golf course anytime. He’s the guy people sick and tired of hearing and reading stories about retired and incumbent police enforcers going unpunished welcome with open arms. Of course his declared methods of dealing with criminals run afoul with human rights lawyers who insist that supposed violators must be given a day in court and not be kicked in the butt arbitrarily. I myself wish that known drug dealers should be executed at Luneta. Many share that wish, and ascribe to Duterte the messianic role of cleanser and peacemaker.

Cayetano, on the other hand, is reported by his media bureau as having a track record that match that of Duterte. As a fiscalizing senator, Cayetano has been in the forefront of the fight against corruption in government throughout his political life.

It is to Cayetano’s credit that he has been consistently harping on graft and corruption issues, not caring whether the government officials on the receiving end belong to the administration or the opposition.

Demographically, the tandem would also appeal to a wide swath of the population with Duterte’s experience and can-do work ethic at the grassroots level. Cayetano’s youthful dynamism can only complement the wisdom that someone like Duterte has, one that cannot be learned from books or schools but from vast experience through the years. Geographically, a Duterte-Cayetano team-up would meld Vis-Min represented by the mayor and Luzon represented by Cayetano from Taguig and who also has roots in Bulacan and Pangasinan.

While Duterte showed pulling power in Luzon with that rally in Luneta, my favorite lawyer says Cayetano can certainly give the mayor more voting traction in vote-rich urban areas in Luzon. As to voters from rural areas, Duterte would certainly be able to give Cayetano a nudge or two although Cayetano has certainly his own formidable base at the barangay levels with his very active support from transport groups, market vendors and farmers’ organizations and cooperatives who have benefited from his Presyo Trabaho Kita program.

The media will have a heyday watching the early aspirants for executive positions clog Comelec’s doorway.

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The Auxiliary for the Philippine Medical Association celebrated Physician’s Day two weeks ago at the PMA auditorium by giving out The Outstanding Physicians in Community Service awards. The awards were given to honor physicians who did exemplary services for their respective communities.

APMA president Theresa S. Bongolan, DMD and current executive vice president Com. Elsie de Veyra led the awarding ceremonies that singled out three winners: Dr. John Hernani V.Anacan Jr.  from Zamboanga Medical Society, Dr. Sylvia R. Calingo from Pasig City Medical Society and Dr. Wilfredo S. Tagle from Quezon City Medical Society. The trophy given to each of them was designed by National Artist Napoleon B. Abueva.

These dedicated doctors were cited for their active participation in the following: indigent medical care, public health and preventive medicine, health education and public information, continued utilization of a fixed venue for community service, and emergencies and calamities.

The awards presentation was sponsored by United Laboratories.

Through the efforts of PP Lydia S. Cristobal, PP Lloyd V. Marcos, “Physicians Day” was created by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos through Proclamation 1789. Com. Elsie B. de Veyra initiated the giving of the “Abueva” trophy to the awardees during her term. The awards presentation has become a part of the celebratory activities for Physician’s Day.

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Children of poor sugar industry workers have a chance to enjoy free college education. This was revealed by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, chair of the House committee on higher and technical education. In fact, the national government has earmarked a total of P98.5 million for the program.

“The amount will pay for the scholarships of qualified children and other dependents of small cane growers as well as plantation workers, including those employed in sugar mills, refineries, distilleries,” Romulo said.

“The scholars will be enrolled in chemical engineering, agriculture, agricultural engineering and mechanics, sugar technology and related higher education programs,” he said.

The P98.5-million funding is among the items in the P10.53-billion allocation for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the proposed P3-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2016.

The Sugarcane Industry Development Law, which Congress passed only last summer, established the scholarship grants to help provide a better future for the families of workers and tillers, according to Romulo.

“The scholarships will also help develop the human resources that local sugar sector needs to compete forcefully against foreign suppliers,” he said.

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