Political discussions
What is an account of Asingan without a little discussion of local Politics? 1995 is the election year for the next mayor of the town. According to some sources, there are three probable candidates: the incumbent Mayor Carlos Lopez, Mrs. Elvira Ramos Veniegas ( the daughter of one time Mayor of Asingan Jose Ramos ) and Col. Romeo Dranciang an Asinganian military man who struck heroic deeds in the strife torn Island of Mindanao. Who will win? Only time will tell.
The governor's position is also up for grabs. Current runners are: Mr. Orbos and Mr. Ranjit Shahani the nephew of President FVRamos.T his race presents something that would be a discussion fodder for local political analysts. The discussion would be worth a case of San Miguel beer or a few bottles of Cuatro Cantos. Do not to forget the pulutan or finger food.
Colonel Daranciang is a military man and he is good at his job. It was President Ramos who pinned his medals of valour. When he visited Asingan recently, Col. Daranciang was warmly given a hero's welcome.
The strongest asset of Elvie might be her blood relation to FVR. I heard that she might be the official party candidate. If she makes it, then she would be the first woman mayor of Asingan.
Now we come to Mayor Carlos Lopez. He appears to be a very humble and honest man. " I am a farmer by trade," he told me recently when I visited his office.
" I am trying to open the Mayor's Office to the common Asinganian. The poor vendor on the street, the common TAO who never had the chance to step into an air conditioned office of the Mayor." he said emphatically.
Then he proceeded to relate the story of Mimay the peanut vendor who was able to see her child go through College by just selling peanuts. Mayor Lopex said he personally escorted her to visit his office one afternoon.
The governor's race is a more difficult issue to write about since one has to go to the Capitol nosing about for some stories to print without you being sued for libel. But I talked with some Barangay leaders from Calepaan who have some axes to grind with the present Vice Governor, Ranjit Shahani.
"If he does not fulfill his promises of cementing the Calepaan road going to Urdaneta, we will vote for Orbos in the next election." One of leaders said.
An Asinganian military who is the CO of an AFP HQ in San Isidro, Binmaley asked me if I could write a press release about Ranjit. Particularly his promises of fixing the roof of the Camp sleeping quarters.
"When it rains, we seem to be sleeping under a mango tree. Water pours freely, " he said pointing to the sunlight streaming through holes in the roof of the sleeping quarters.
The CO added: " Ranjit and his Mom promised some pinaod to fix the roof. But up to now, no such materials arrived and it is almost the rainy season again..”
Only in Asingan can you have so much fun discussing this and that while waiting for some one to tell you it is already suppertime.---#
No comments:
Post a Comment