Impulses
Street blues
Acting Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez chides UP breeds insurgents and "naked joggers", or something to that effect.
This is a good example of a twisted generalization.
* * *
The "King of Iloilo" also said, on the other hand, that he is "well-behaved."
Machiavelli also thought the same way.
Marcos, Hitler and Mussolini, too!
* * *
For the nth time, I have encountered anew another auxiliary police booboo.
Last Monday, I took the front seat of a La Paz jeep near University of San Agustin at Gen. Luna Street when we were caught by a blue-clad sub cop allegedly for illegal loading of passengers. Interestingly, we were exactly in front of a street sign that says "Loading/Unloading" with Villa and Oton jeeps almost using the same place like a terminal cum parking area.
When the La Paz driver and I asked the auxiliary police about the alleged violation, he just said that the place is only good for unloading and not for loading (another ridiculous street rule if it does really exist for that particular spot). But, of course, he cannot explain why the rest of the Villa-Oton jeeps are doing the same and the pseudo cops are not even doing anything to call their attention.
The driver did not grumble anymore and just handed down a P20 bill to solve the problem.
Case closed.
* * *
When asked how frequent this thing happen, the driver said, "oras oras eh."
But one thing struck me the most.
The disgruntled driver said Villa and Oton jeeps are not that "noticed" by the auxiliary men because they give money to them. Their "toll fee" is "tag P10 ukon P20 pesos" per PUV. In exchange, the paying drivers are immune to road infractions.
I am beginning to believe that street rule enforcement, not shabu trade, is the most lucrative business of all in this part of the country. It is the safest racket for street crooks, too. And you do not need a college degree to join the rouge list.
* * *
My driver friend also told me that these "kotong cops" are also scattered in the following streets: Plazoleta Gay, Bonifacio Drive, Jalandoni, Ledesma, JM Basa, Iznart, and Quezon, among others.
And their purse is ticking by the hour.
Wonder why they stay in these places even beyond their duty hours?
* * *
I pity the drivers of Iloilo City for they are left with no choice but to either give grease money to the supposed "law enforcer" or to suffer the inconvenience of losing their driver's license whenever they are trapped with the tricks of the street trade.
I wonder why cops do nothing about this.
Are they part of it?
Or do they just allow this to happen?
"The former is a sin, by commission; the latter is still a sin, by omission," explains my friend, Sir Primo, who teaches Christian Living Education in Ateneo.
* * *
GMA says Guimaras is still a great tourist refuge.
True, at least for half of the province right now. Never mind the other half?
* * *
Nursing Board Exam retake is in the works, reports say.
Bring it on!
Surely, our Ilonggo takers will make waves should this re-test take place.
* * *
Question: What's the richest rural bank in town?
Answer: Bank of Makati at Iznart Street, Iloilo City
Question: Interest rates for deposits?
Answer: One of the highest in the league.
So where to invest?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Inquire now. Call the Manager, Mrs. Julie Ann Jaranilla at 0919-5808675.
* * *
Bombers in Metro Manila are said to mark 9/11 anniversary.
Sympathetic attacks must not be discounted, most especially if you do not know what group is to strike. The usual suspects: Rajah Sulaiman Movement, Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah Islamiyah, the Reds (all forms and shades), and other al Qaida cells.
* * *
A student of mine has described the flood in the streets of Mabini and Jalandoni as a "deluge in biblical proportions."
"When you cross the street in front of Manfred's Inn towards San Agustin gate, you feel that you are like Moses crossing the Red Sea."
I wonder if the office of the city engineer is aware of this.
* * *
My student also asked me why is it that workers of the city only clean the metro sewage system if there is flood or during rainy season. He further quipped, "common sense tells us that it is more practical to do the fixing during summer time.
I can not say more but smile.
* * *
A lot of journalism seminars are now in store for the Ilonggo budding writers here in the metropolis.
I can cite two important gatherings.
One is the Golden Pen Awards on September 2-3 at the Doane Baptist Academy Covered Court at Bonifacio Drive for High School and Sun Yat Sen High School Auditorium at Mapa Street for Grade School, courtesy of the Department of Education and the Regional English Circle. Registration fee is P150. For inquiries, contact the WV campus journalism prodigy Sir Jude Iledan at 0918-2972878.
The other one is star-studded The Gusting Journalism Seminar-Workshop sponsored by the Agustinian Mirror, among others, set September 7-9 at University of San Agustin. Registration fee is P1500.
So have your pick now.
* * *
Numerous NPA guerrillas were reportedly injured in a clash with fighters of the rival RPA-ABB in the hinterlands of Negros Occidental province Tuesday morning.
Congratulations GMA! Your divide-and-rule scheme works!
(Engr. Herman Lagon may be reached through h_lagon@yahoo.com.)