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| Vol. XX No. 45 |
January 17, 2001 |
Virac, Catanduanes |
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The Catanduanes Tribune Rawis, Virac Catanduanes, Philippines - 5001 Tel. No.: (052) 811-1267 or 811-2640 Fax No.: (052) 811-1267 E-mail:
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Publisher-Editor Edwin A. Gianan |
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Advertising- Circulation Manager Simeon G. Cueno |
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Web Master: Calgary, Canada |
INSIDE PAGE
by Fernan A. Gianan
Col.
Panen has much to prove
During the inauguration of Smart’s satellite-linked Public Calling Office in San Miguel town, Gov. Hector S. Sanchez couldn’t help but take a dig at bitter enemy Rep. Leandro I. Verceles, Jr. for the latter’s moribund barangay telephone project.
In thanking Smart for its investment here, the governor said the government poured millions of pesos into telecommunications projects here but that nothing good came out of it. Rumored to be wooing the NTC commissioner after Bro. Rene Velarde backed out of his Congress bid, Sanchez also lauded Joseph Santiago for his help in realizing the project.
Verceles’ project foundered due to mismanagement at the barangay level as well as the off-and-on Mobiline transmitter station in Virac. It’s operation has since been awarded to a cooperative being run by allies of the last-termer solon.
However, Verceles assured that the network will be reactivated this year, saying that two signal extenders are being installed to enable the network to expand its coverage from 90 to 130 barangays. “Tuloy pa rin `yon. The technology is not satellite-based but mas mura `yon. The rate is only P8 per minute,” the solon said in an interview with local media at the function room of Marem’s Pension House.
As far as Verceles and Santiago are concerned, nothing is final in their respective political plans.
Congress frontrunner Joseph Santiago says he has former Gov. Sev Alcantara as his gubernatorial bet while negotiations are going on with someone from a northern town as his vice governor. He stressed that his campaign for the seat to be vacated by Verceles is on regardless of the results of the impeachment trial of Pres. Estrada.
A source told the Tribune that Gov. Sanchez had been trying to contact the NTC commissioner for the past weeks but managed to capture him at his Gogon home only last January 9. He says Sanchez is courting Santiago for a possible alliance but described the prospect of its happening as “highly unlikely.” An alliance with Verceles, the reliable source revealed, is a thorny issue due to vast political differences, especially in Virac, and the solon’s bolting the Estrada camp.
Jun Verceles says that if nobody wants to be with him, he’d rather have Natsy as his candidate for Congress. “At least she wants to be with me,” quipped the solon.
He said that he is currently an independent but would likely be adopted by the local Lakas chapter headed by Vice Gov. Al Aquino. He disclosed that he is forming a provincial political party to be dubbed Catanduanes Alliance for Reform and Democracy (CARD) to be allied with national parties later. Jun also said that, so far, he has committed only to contractor Romy Tuplano as one of his bets for Sangguniang Panlalawigan in the East district.
“I never have one ghost project in my entire life. I do not agree nor do I support any ghost project,” the solon stated in reaction to the Sanchez-instigated probe of projects implemented by the DPWH.
Already, the probe has given sleepless nights to District Engineer Mariano Saret, who has reportedly gone on leave, probably for good until his retirement this year. The problem is, his replacement, Albay DE Manuel Azurin, is nowhere to be found and is probably unwilling to become another victim in the crossfire between the solon and the governor. Assistant DE Edith Sarmiento may have to stay on a little bit longer as OIC but we think she should be given a permanent appointment, with a stint here as her baptism of fire.
Supt. Freddie Panen has yet to show his colors with regards to the issues presently affecting this island.
Congressman Verceles only wishes him to stay neutral in the course of the campaign but, as gleaned from his recent statements, Col. Panen would lean a little towards Gov. Sanchez.
On the other hand, it would be better if he addresses the issue of “loteng” as early as possible lest he be considered part of the Popa National Police. Will he take action against the untouchable operator/financier and his bet collectors or will he stay deaf, mute and blind to the illegal activity, as his predecessor?
Many of his senior officers are also involved in either the protection of illegal transport of hot lumber or actively engaged in the activity. He is an experienced intelligence officer. He should and must know about the shenanigans at Camp Camacho and municipal police offices. Or would he be good only at collecting “delihensiya” as some of his officers?
