By Alex P. Vidal
“Why am I so soft in the middle when the rest of my life is so hard?” — Paul Simon
WE don’t believe that Uswag Party list Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr. is ready to commit a family rebellion anytime from now.
We also don’t believe that he will categorically allow the exposure to humiliation of the family business, which may have, in one way or the other, contributed in what he has achieved in life politically.
He may have said something about the controversial P680-million Iloilo flyover project in Ungka, Pavia, Iloilo that made some pundits think he was in favor that it should be subjected to a formal House inquiry in aid of legislation after it was reported to be “sinking”, but he sounded like a “toothless tiger.”
The Ilonggo congressman appeared “ready” or “in favor” of the congressional investigation proposed earlier by fellow Ilonggo lawmaker Raoul Manuel of Kabataan Party list supposedly after being asked about his opinion on the subject matter, but he certainly lacked the will to walk his talk.
Ang’s words didn’t have the fire and brimstone; or, he had no fire in the belly when he made his opinion on the disgraced project initiated by the DPWH and completed by the construction firm owned by his uncle.
He can be menacingly look like a behemoth animal, but the solon isn’t capable of swallowing whole any mammal or moving object in the wildlife owing to his deficiency in fangs. Toothless in the wilderness is useless.
In prizefighting, the congressman can deliver a solid punch, but he lacks the instinct to kayo his foe.
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Let’s listen to some of his statements as reported by the Daily Guardian on January 17:
—“I haven’t talked to [Manuel], that is welcome. Every congressman [can call for a] privilege speech or inquiry. I can, but I chose to talk directly to DPWH to resolve it.”
—“In fairness to Congressman Manuel, that is his right, and he can do that. If he wants to seek an audience by himself with the DPWH. [Manuel’s] inquiry, if we would be invited, we will join that.”
— “[DPWH] was already annoyed by us, but we’ve seen it, going home every week. I’ve seen that traffic has gotten worse, so if they have solutions, we have to fix that. […] [Bonoan] has had instructions, in fairness to them, to expedite that.”
“I heard [Bonoan] commit to talk about it, but to seek with landowners to widen the roads first, then they comply with their papers, because the DPWH will pay them, as far as this [right of way is concerned].”
“I think there aren’t many funds for right of way. There are fewer funds for ROW in the [General Appropriations Act] budget.”
Safe words from a careful solon. No lethal blows. Softie. No intention to knock the petal off the daffodil.
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Houston-based photojournalist Pinoy Legarda Gonzalez reacted to our story about the lack of proper recognition from some national media networks of the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City. Below is his in toto statements sent to me on January 17:
“I agree Migo Alex. Whose fault is it? Who ever is handling the publicity committee of the Dinagyang festivities should take responsibility for this.
“You and I know that when I was Chairman of the Dinagyang Publicity Committee for 6 years, the Dinagyang festival was in the front pages of all the National Newspapers get [sic] to be featured in the National Television Networks Free. Why? Because we invited all their Travel Writers and their TV host and Crews and give them full travel perks and accommodations in the City’s top hotel. All of these expenses from a measly P20,000 budget during the time. How did we do it? Connections in the business and media world.
“Nothing is free sa aton mga media. Bayad sila. Or gamay budget give the media people who will be invited Free Airplane tickets, Hotel Accommodation, A stand-by van to take them around tourist spots in the City, Free Food and pasalubong from all the famous food destination in the City. All this we did through X-Deals.
During that time gina taga-an ako sang mga 3 airlines about 16 open airline tickets. PAL, Cebu Pacific and Grand Airlines.
“Free Hotel Accommodations sa Hotel Del Rio and Sarabia Manor Hotel ang Amigo Terrace Hotel. Free Food sa Tatoy’s, Breakthrough, etc etc etc.”
We don’t necessarily agree to everything he mentioned, but these were his own words and opinion.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local papers in Iloilo. —Ed)