Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio has recently issued a scathing denunciation of the decision of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil relieving her entire police security escorts.
But of course, who would not feel aggrieved when the relief was apparently without consultation with the Vice President. In fact, as stated by the VP in her letter to the PNP Director General the unit assigned to the Vice President is supposed to be fully under her disposal and any decision to intervene with her function should be done with prior consultation with the VP and that the latter has agreed with the relief. Besides if a new set of security personnel is to be given to the Vice President, again it is imperative that she be given the opportunity to vet the replacement security men.
It also appears in the VP’s letter to the PNP Chief that she is not concerned of disposing her responsibility as VP even without any security escorts with her. But she claims to have issues with the “lies” that are peddled by the top police official on the circumstances of the relief of her security men.
Knowing VP Sara for a long time since she was Vice Mayor of Davao City up to the time she became mayor, we personally know that she is one woman who “walks her talk.” It is however, our take that she has become collateral object sandwiched in the now grueling political enmity between her father and her erstwhile tandem in the defunct UniTeam.
It will be a totally different story though once the VP will become a full member of the group at odds with the Malacanang tenant and later will be active in the forefront of the battle line.
If we have to recall a movie of the late FPJ VP Sara can be a “Mabuting kaibigan.” But she can also be a ”Masamang Kaaway.” So, it would be better for those forcing the VP into the fray to be more calculating in their juggernaut against her. They’ll surely be into one big mess in their political lives. Better for them to beware.
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Meanwhile, for now we have observed that in the social media battle front the vlogger-supporters (or hired) of the administration seem to be gaining the upper hand in terms of number. And it also appears that they have so far ably parried the slings from the Duterte camp. But of course their being apparently on top can only be attributed to the resources that are at the vloggers’ and their handlers’ disposal – their denials notwithstanding.
But they should also be made aware, if they are not yet, that during a brewing storm there are times that lulls are felt. It is the next stage after the lull that has to be closely guarded and prepared for. After all, experience has shown that the succeeding wind blows are usually much stronger and devastating.
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At the local scene we have noted lately, that in the second district turn-overs or inaugurations of social and infrastructure development projects – big or small – emanating from the national government are published in the papers or posted in the social media platforms highlighting only the presence of Congressman Vincent Garcia and his nephew Councilor Javi G. Campos. While there is nothing wrong with that, we do not believe that during any of those occasions there were no other city officials, specifically other councilors in the second district, present.
Somehow, we feel that the other councilors are wanting in connection with the local media, or do not have the necessary skills to take advantage of the free spaces afforded by the various social media platforms.
The other possibility is that they do not have persons or unit in their office to handle dissemination of relevant information to the public that could help bolster their person as public officials. We suggest they utilize the project employees assigned in their office to handle their media pitch, if they have one with the appropriate talent.
We also thought all the while that there is such a committee in the Davao City Council that is handling releases of information that are of general interest to the people, including the performance of every council member.
The said committee, as we interpret its existence, has in its province the critical function of ensuring that the constituents are “informed, educated, and are communicated” with all that they need to know about the local government and what are the officials they voted to office are doing.
Is the Committee’s ineptitude the reason why only a very insignificant few are doing it on their own? Good for them who initiate.
