con't... (message board 74)

Name:   Samarnon
Address:   Canada
Email:
Date:   November 21, 2008

Pardon again my ignorance, Mr. Morales, but arrogance is still debatable. My supposedly arrogance is very subjective depending on how a reader will view it. Being biased in opinions and how one feels is also a factor.

Let’s be objective my friend. I am not here to show off my intelligence and I am afraid I am short of that as you have implied. Neither am I here to let the readers know the things that I have learned in and out of school. I am here to join our fellow Samarnons in choosing the right alternative prospects who will lead our place to progress. My goal is for the good of the majority and my opinions are not self-serving. I hope we all are.

I was fortunate enough that my simple mind, “overly” simplifying complex situations and with simple analysis had proven to be effective, at least for me, in and out of school. It is not my style of going around the bush before I can come up with a decision or solution. Obvious signs, conclusive information, intuition and guts are enough for me to draw a straight line. After all, the shortest line between two points is a straight line.

Frankly Tonyboy, what pissed me off is your continued silence in giving us information about Isog Han Samar. It appeared to me that you are very selective in giving us information. Selective of who you are going to expose, unmasked and praise. By being selective gives us an impression that you are somehow biased.

Let me give you another guess. I guess that you and the Antonio Morales who once served as Deputy Consul General of San Francisco under President Ramos are the same. Basis? I happened to see his pictures and based on the way you write and tickled by things you don’t like – there is a match of personalities. Right or wrong my guess maybe, I hope it will not harm you or anyone.

Going back to the main point. As much as we strongly condemn the unrighteous practices of the past and present politicians who had governed our land, this doesn’t mean that we should jump in and go for unknown alternatives. We have made a mistake in the past (in the person of Atty. Bolastig? for example) and we cannot afford to make another one this time.

Well, so much for that, all we are asking from you is a complete information about Isog Han Samar since that you are the lead endorser of Mr. Labendia. Who are it’s officers, associations to other organizations and advocacies.

I will be more than glad and proud to know if it is not another front of the reds. If there is another thing that you need to know more (just in case) is how the reds operate. Their fronts, camouflages and tactics normally appear conflicting in our naked eyes but their grand orchestration of all these is very unique, focused and brilliant.

Name:   Rhoda de Dios
Address:   1121 Magsaysay Street, Catarman 6400, Northern Samar
Email:   dediosrhoda@yahoo.com
Date:   21 November 2008

I just came across this page and I am happy about plans to develop Samar. I am a resident of Northern Samar but finished high school in Catbalogan. Here's one wish of mine that I hope will come true - Put Samar Island in Philippine Tourism and Business map, front page.

One more thing, I hope some enterprising but civic-minded Samarenos put up a modern MEDICAL CENTER in one startegic site accessible to people from the 3 provinces of Samar. In my place, most people who need IMMEDIATE medical attention wait long to reach Manila or Tacloban City for treatment. On emergencies like serious accidents, victims die unattended. Ours is a typical 3rd World provincial hospital where even first aid gadgets and medicines are most often not available. Will SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING GOOD TO HELP US IN THIS AREA?

Name:   Letenyo
Address:   Tacloban City
Email:
Date:   Nobyembre 21, 2008

A more powerful and ending process to restore the cityhood of 16 cities is by legislating in the Philippine Congress and approval by GMA. This would be the job of Congressman Doloy and other congressmem and Congresswomen in Leyte and Samar.

Name:    Midnytbleu
Address:   Manila
Email:
Date:   Nov. 21, 2008

The SC decision came rather unexpected. I would like to ask anyone if there was a warning that this thing would happen. I'm so upset seeing Borongan lost its City status.

Name:   Taga Patag
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   11-21-08

To All Blogggers,

Have to guys considered contacting Santi Dasmarinas Jr. to be a candidate for a government position in Samar? He is also a Catbaloganon and he is the current Secretary General of the Confederation of Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE).

I hope somebody here will take a look the credentials of Santi. I know that he is an honor student of SSAT and a graduate of University of the Philippines.

Name:    Allan Cabanganan
Address:   Blk 9 Lot 26, Camacho Phs 2, Nangka, Marikina City
Email:    armando09cabanganan@gmail.com
Date:   21/11/2008

Guy's merry xmas to all Catbaloganon, I’m sorry its my first time to visit this web that's why I’m late...next time I will be updated...goodluck.

Name:    Antonio Morales
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   Nov 20 2008

Cityhood Laws Declared Unconstitutional, My thoughts...

I got an instant message from a friend who is working at the Supreme Court about the recent decision of the Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional R.A. 9391, the organic act creating the city of Catbalogan, and the other so called "cityhood laws." I was saddened being a Catbaloganon. At that time, he did not know yet the voting score. The majority decision penned by Justice Carpio, an intellectual heavyweight, was available but I wanted to read the dissenting opinion of Justice Ruben Reyes because I wanted to know the bases of his contention and to see if it is still possible to rescue the situation should Catbalogan and the other cities appeal the decision. I later found out from the website of the Supreme Court that said decision was an en banc decision but at a precariously 6-5-3-1 For-Against-Abstain-On Leave configuration. My heart was jumping knowing that there is actually a chance to reverse the decision. Had Eddie Nachura joined the deliberation and voting instead of abstaining from the case, he could have tilt the balance. With respect to the judgment of Justice Nachura, I do not know yet why he abstained and it may be because he simply is from Catbalogan or because he was the Solicitor General who issued an opinion on said matter when said case was filed or any issue that would involve conflict of interest. The arguments of Justice Carpio are solid from the constitutional stand point. His main anchor was the violation of the equal protection clause and the provision in the Constitution that (Section 10, Article X) the local government code provisions should be followed when creating local government units.

To complicate the matter, the laws have already been ratified by the constituents and in fact some of these cities have started reorganizing like having their own education divisions and other offices pursuant to the laws converting them into cities. So, it is indeed a messy thing. The Supreme Court should have issued Temporary Restraining Orders before these laws were subjected to ratification. Now, the problem is how to undo what has been done. It is so messy that I could not even imagine how to start the process of reverting to the original scenario. But, there is also a constitutional dictum that a law that has been declared unconstitutional shall not confer rights and create obligations so it is really a cumbersome situation. A law that is void ab initio even if ratified by the public in a referendum is still void.

I just hope that the arguments in the dissenting opinion of Justice Reyes are as compelling as the arguments of Justice Carpio. And, may the cities affected band together to get a seasoned lawyer to advance their case. The way it looks, a margin of 1 is not a solid lead so in the final appeal one justice in the affirmative side could tilt the decision to the other side.

For public information those who granted the petition of the League of Cities, et. al. (Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento's name is prominently displayed in the decision of the case) to declare unconstitutional the so-called "cityhood laws" were Justices Carpio (the ponente), Quisumbing, Austria-Martinez, Carpio-Morales, Velasco,Jr., and Brion. Those who dissented are Justices Reyes, Corona, Azcuna, Chico-Nazario, and Leonardo-De Castro. Those who abstained are Chief Justice Puno and Justices Tinga and Nachura. Justice Ynares-Santiago was on leave.

Please visit the website of the Supreme Court to obtain a PDF copy of the 22-page decision of the Supreme Court.

Name:   Letenyo
Address:   Tacloban City
Email:
Date:   Nobyembre 20, 2008

I read about Tony Morales’ assertion regarding deadly results for politics in Samar. We Filipinos have known about this first hand that violence does not succeed ones motivation. President Marcos then who had all the manpower and money to make the assassination of then Senator Ninoy Aquino look as if he had nothing to do with it have backfired against him instead. Waraynons will not allow violence to rule our election. If the message is directed for the progress of Samar, directed for effective programs and effective management, instead of directing personal attacks, then there is no reason for each candidate to resort for violence.

As a matter of fact, I would like to see the losing candidate gracefully concede and shakes hands with the winning candidate. I also would like to see the winning candidate after the election, to speak in behalf of all Samarnons regardless of candidate affiliations, guaranteeing and affirming that he or she is the leader for all Samarnons, and therefore the office of governor is open to anyone, This type of politics will serve as an example for the next generations of Waraynons that peace is the utmost aspirations in our society.

I support anyone who has the courage to run. Anyone who has the confidence and gut feeling inside that he or she could be a successful governor should advertise and run. As Basilio Balasbas said, “time is of the essence”.

Name:   Benoy
Address:   Catbalogan City
Email:
Date:   11-20-08

We Catbaloganons are very upset regarding the decision of the Supreme Court. If these would not be resolved, we consider Calbayog as one of the enemy & hindrance of our progress.

Ngada hit amon mga anak, ngadto hit amon mga apo..magpapabilin ini nga estoryahon. An guinbuhat ni Sarmiento in usa nga pagbuno ha talodtod hit mga Catbaloganon. He is a selfish, awaanon.

Natikangan na an pag implementar han pepera nga mga opesina, nahebutang na an iba nga mga opesyales, myda nagbalhin hin opisina. Damo an magugupong hini nga panhenabo.

Mayda maraot nga epekto en ha amon nga mga Catbaloganon.

Name:   Taga Catbalogan
Address:   Catbalogan, Samar
Email:   probis08@gmail.com
Date:   November 20, 2008

Ms. Grimaldi, could it be another classic case of Filipino "crab mentality"?

Name:    Girlie Grimaldi
Address:   New York City, New York, U.S.A.
Email:
Date:   20 November 2008

With profound regret, I read the article "SC Voids 16 Cityhood Laws."

Revoking the cityhood of Catbalogan isn't fair and it makes me upset. I strongly hope the 16 city mayors affected and their respective legal divisions file a motion for reconsideration in the Supreme Court. The 6-5 SC voting was a very close one. I don't understand why Chief Justice Reynato Puno didn't inhibit himself from voting since the plaintiffs' (including Calbayog Mayor Mel Sarmiento) principal lawyers were from the Puno and Puno Law Office.

I also would like to commend Justice Ruben T. Reyes for his brilliant and respectful dissenting opinion (www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/november2008/176951-reyes.htm ).

As Justice Reyes states in his dissent, "laws should be applied propectively in the spirit of justice and fair play." I couldn't agree with him more. Furthermore, Senator Alfredo Lim once stated in the senate, "it is unfair, like any sport, to change the rules in the middle of the game."

Name:    Tonyboy Morales
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:    Nov 20, 2008

On being a leftist, rightist, and other labels...

Mr. Samarnon's assessment that Isog Han Samar is merely a leftist organization is pure and simple ignorance and arrogance. Please Mr. Samarnon, be cautious in your hasty generalization that Isog Han Samar is another leftist organization. First, you do not even know how many people you are trying to paint red when they are blue or trying to typecast a whole bunch of diverse group into one label. I understand your frustration about leftist organizations being directly related to the greater communist movement but Isog Han Samar is not and will never be.

If the NPAs in Samar are really for change, they could have meted a death sentence to Mila who is an easy target but even the NPAs in Samar are also in Mila's pocket. During campaign seasons, the NPAs collect revolutionary taxes and Mila is the number 1 taxpayer. She could easily campaign in the hinterlands with NPA pass in tow. Mila's strength is in the far-flung barangays who are sympathetic to the cause of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Now, tell me more about what you know about leftist organizations. The labels are problematic and synonymous to racial discrimination. Just because one who voices out his or her grievance against the oppressive ruler does not make one a leftist. Just because one files a case against a corrupt official does not make one a leftist. Oversimplification as you have earlier admitted is dangerous analysis.

As a matter of fact, please check the bodyguards of either Mila and Jess Redaja and you will find out that some are related to Mao Tse Tung. Why? In the hinterlands of Samar, the red flag still flies mightily than the flag of Aguinaldo. Even Gen. Jovito Palparan, the butcher of Samar, has found out that politicians in Samar have been the major source of income for the belligerent guerilla units of the NPA. Sacks of rice and goodies are delivered to the mountain hideouts in Motiong and San Jose de Buan not necessarily to feed the barangay folks but as revolutionary support. While guns are supplied by their official partylist representatives in congress, food and other provisions are supplied by politicians who do not want to be antagonistic to the cause of communism. Now, so who's on the side of communism then?

And, just because Fr. Labendia does not spend time posting messages here on Samarnews.com does not make him not qualified to run for governor. And vice versa, just because I and Basilio Balasbas have been prolific in writing here does make us better qualified to run for public office. There was an appeal that Fr. Labendia wrote about the case against Mila on the frontpage of Samarnews.com and his words would encapsulate how they have patiently fought an uphill battle against the governor and her cohorts. If he is an easy sell, he could have easily been bought by Mila's millions but he is not. Money can't buy his conscience and his reputation.

On Basil and sundry...

To tell you the truth, I am not against Basilio Balasbas to run for governor. I would support him to be the barangay captain of Guinsorongan so he could close the world's longest toilet and enforce everybody to have a toilet in every household. He is passionate about that and I believe that he has what it takes to be barangay capitan of Guinsorongan. Later on, he could run for Mayor of Catbalogan. Of course, this is if he wants to throw his hat into the political ring. But, he could also co-opt with the Department of Health, the barangay, and those people with no toilets to come up with a solution to the "unidentified floating objects" in Guinsorongan. As a matter of public health policy though, Sunshine Beach should have been close long time ago. It is abutting a cemetery and when rain falls, what goes with it are the liquified remains of the dead people from the camposanto. No one thinks that that is a health-risk problem in Catbalogan though so I guess that we want to enjoy the company of our dearly departed.

As a side, I want the Ramirez from Middle East to come home and run for mayor of Catbalogan. I like his pragmatic steps for development. I am just assuming that he is an engineer. His expertise is helpful to redevelop the sawang or poblacion of Catbalogan. I want Samarnon from Canada to be a vice mayor or member of the city council, his inquisitive and skeptical mind is helpful in crafting legislations that are effective. Maybe let's invite Mr. Retiree from the Americas to try his luck in the city council of Catbalogan so he can share what he has enjoyed in America to also be enjoyed by his kababayans. Other possible candidates for the city council would be Midnythblue, Mike Mendiola, and others who have international experience helpful to make Catbalogan a city on a hill. I just hope that those who left Catbalogan to find a greener pasture and found it must now start their exodus to their beloved land. What fun it would be to have a team with international credentials gunning for the local posts against home-grown "in-grown" candidates. That would be exciting, I guess!

Now, seriously, I hope to see a Catbalogan and Samar that are progressive. I like what Bhutan has aspired for as a nation. They did not want to increase their Gross National Development (GDP) Index only but wants to increase their Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index. As an assignment and challenge my friends here in the message board, please search on Bhutan, a tiny land-locked nation in the Himalayan Mountains to know what I mean. There is always something!

Name:   Taclobanon
Address:   United States
Email:
Date:   Nov. l9, 2008

To all participants of this Message Board

I won't be critical here about the choice of Fr. Labendia to run against Gov. Mila Tan or whoever her anointed one to run for governor of Samar. Much more as a Taclobanon I wanted to help the Region and depend with what Mr. Morales did in every message, view or opinion he wrote.

I read Mr. Morales view and I tried to pause first and didn't decide immediately. Then the next morning, I reread again his message to my satisfaction. With his straightforward explanation and eloquent reasoning, I have come to conclusion that Fr. Labendia is the right person as a candidate at this right time.

The fact that the Isog Han Samar has shown tremendous courage and strength not to be intimidated or threatened, this priest and his group has shown steadfast with their principles to bring the anomalies to justice without fear of the risk involved even though their lives and the lives of their families are in danger. Because of this, I am with Mr. Morales endorsing Fr. Labendia. I hope everyone will do the same.

Thank you.

Name:   Tonyboy Morales
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   11-19-08

Not to outwit but to uplift...

The last two pieces that I have submitted are not intended to outwit or debate with Samarnon from Canada and the Retiree from the US. My intent was pure and simple. It is to convince them that leading the fight against corruption especially in Samar is not for the faint-hearted. Leading a cause greater than personal political ambitions is worthy of our support. I believe that if the Isog Han Samar Movement was led by either Ex-Cong. Cata Figueroa or Ex-Cong. Rudy Tuazon or Ex-Cong. Eddie Nachura or BM Tommy Bolastig or Ex-Vice Gov. Erning Arcales or Rep. Ining Uy or Mayor Mel Sarmiento or Mayor Nacario, I would simply say that the movement was not genuine because politicians who lead a movement against their political opponents have self-serving interests. If the movement is merely an association of casual employees from the capitol who were dismissed by Mila for their disloyalty, I would have just simply said that their motives are too personal. If the movement is populated by businessmen who lost their contracts with the province, I say that they too are corrupt and should now pay their dues. But, the movement was led by somebody who was not a politician, who was not dismissed from service, and who was not a business man. He has everything to lose, his life, his career, his reputation, and his family's welfare. He has nothing to gain personally if Mila is removed from office. His advocacy transcends political and personal interests.

Now, who in Samar has tenacity and courage to reform the province? I only have one person in mind and that is Father Noel Labendia. If Prof. Cesar Torres, former UP Political Science professor, now based in the US decides to come home and run for governor, then I would support him but again the problem with those people outside of Samar is that they have to establish residency in Samar and they have to comply with the other rigid rules of the Omnibus Election Code. Who among the politicians in Samar have that character to lead our province for good governance? No one. I say it again, nobody! I have already dressed down all those possible gubernatorial candidates in my previous article.

It would have been great if somebody like Teddy Coquilla, congressman of Eastern Samar, can go home from the US and run for public office with the intent of changing the political landscape of the province but I could not see a Teddy among our expatriates Samarnon based in the US and Canada who would form a team to beat the home grown crop of politicians. How I wish that those who have gathered enough experience in the US, Canada, or the Middle East would now go back to Samar to share what they have learned from their sojourn to foreign lands to make meaningful changes in their homeland. I could not see that in the foreseeable future but hopefully it would happen soon. While in New York, I met a lot of Katbaloganons who are this and that in the Big Apple but they have not made an imprint in the lives of their kababayans back home. How I wish that the expert nurses and doctors in the US who have extensive knowledge about hospitals can transfer that knowledge to the provincial hospital back in Samar. How I wish that those engineers building the mighty infrastructure in Dubai can help construct simple toilets and artesian wells in Samar. How I wish that those who were blessed with material things for leaving behind their native land can now share it back by offering scholarships at Samar State University especially in the fields that would uplift the lives of Samarnons.

To me, no one has stood up for Samar like Father Labendia. I know so many people are frustrated with the current occupant of Himyangan but she will continue to mushroom if our apathy will grow faster than our hope for a better future.

Mila may run either for congress or mayor of Catbalogan. She will not run against Tekwa, Tekwa may run for higher office. But, as I said in the previous column, it is congress that would make her cling to power and fame until 2013 so she will most likely go for that. The two (Tekwa and Mila) are relatives by affinity. They are balayes. Sharee Ann will most likely gun for the post of her mom and vice versa. Tekwa and Vice Gov. Redaja still has one more term left to complete so they may remain as is until they are forced to abandon their political alliance to seek other alternative political configuration. Samar, one friend of mine said, is now Sino-dominated. I did not bother to look that way because I believe that the chinese community is part and parcel of our identity as a people. Tan is governor, Uy is congressman of the first district, Tan is congresswoman of the second district, Tekwa Uy is mayor of the capital city, and the vice mayor of Calbayog who is poised to become mayor Onald Aquino is also chinese. I don't want to make that the central argument against them lest I be tagged a racist but such is a fact.

So, between the corrupt alternatives and a clean one, I will go for the latter. I will go for the one who will lead the charge to change – Father Noel Labendia. In case he decides not to run, then its either I choose from the available choices or just simply wait for another chance to change.

Name:   Rosalie Shipton
Address:   Falconwing Ave, Las Vegas, Nv. 89131, USA
Email:   keighLtrr@yahoo.com
Date: 11-19-08

I want to extend my greetings for my brother Alex Latorre in Dubai for celebrating his birthday. Hope you are safe and enjoying your life/work there. And also to Mana Lolit Bacsal Felicen for celebrating her birthday too today. Hi to my beautiful daughter Yanie, be good always baby & don't give mommy a hardtime. And remember that I love and miss you soooooooo much! Good luck to my brother Dexter for his coming exam, just relax and for sure God will grant your wish. Hello to all Calbiganon esp. to my parents Peter & Lea Latorre.

God bless to everyone!!!

Name:   Ruel Picardo Madeja
Address:   Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic), P.O. Box 11115, Jubail, Eastern Province 31961, Saudi Arabia
Email:   Madejarp@sabic.com
Date:   November 19, 2008

Wag ninyong kalilimutan on December 4, 2008 Sangkay Saudi Arabia would have a General Assembly and Election of its 2009 Officers. OFW from Saudi Arabia specially those from Samar & Leyte, please attend.

So those interested kindly contact:--

Bien Capones - 00966508587865
Abdulkarim Cortado - 00966503868134
Ruel Madeja – 00966507102792

Name:   Tonyboy Morales
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   11-19-08

To Retired Samarnon from the Americas and other skeptics…

I understand your point Mr. Retiree that you don't want to join the bandwagon of supporting Fr. Labendia because the only thing that he did for Samar is to lead the Isog Han Samar Movement. Let me remind you that merely joining that movement was courageous enough, how much more lead it. And, it was not for merely organizing a rally at the capitol in 2003 but for filing a case at the Ombudsman and following it up to the Sandiganbayan. Sir, that alone is enough for me to support him. As I said and will say it again, no one in Samar then took the courage to denounce corruption in Samar like Father Labendia did. While most of us tried to curse the darkness in Samar, Father Labendia and those courageous members of Isog Han Samar risked their whole lives, limbs, and even reputations to fight the Queen of Evil in Samar. To tell you the truth, Mr. Retiree, Samar is no longer the same say 20 or 30 years ago. When you dare speak against the powers that be in Samar, you are risking your life to be taken away from you. No one dared to question Mila and her cohorts because the fear and possibility of retribution is greater now than those dark days of Marcos' Martial Law. At least then, you know that is between the rightists and the leftists. Now, you worry from all points because everybody seems to be easily bought by a kilo of rice and a ticket to a raffle draw of electric fan and noodles.

If you disagree about my assessment of Samar, try to publicly denounce the politicians in Samar and you will see my point – not with a pat on your shoulder but with a bullet on your head. So many have died in Samar because they supported another candidate. If Colombia has their druglords, Samar has its own cartel of politicians equally or even more dangerous. Political loyalty in Samar is not earned, it is required and exacted by hook or by crook. So, to say that one has merely lead the Isog Han Samar is belittling the movement and the risks they all have to endure. While most of us can get out of Samar to escape the exposure against corrupt politicians, these members of Isog Han Samar have to live a dangerous life day in and day out.

Again, I am not insisting that Father Labendia is the only worthy candidate for Governor but for a real change to happen, we need somebody who has the courage to change the things he can, the serenity to accept the things he cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference. Reinhold Nehbur's prayer is apt to describe Father Labendia's uphill battle against the demons of Samar's politics. Most of us were courageous under the cloak of anonymity, under the cover of our pen names or pseudonyms, hiding behind the mighty veil of the internet superhighway, and being miles away from where the action is. Some courageous few see to it that lighting a candle is better than merely cursing the darkness. Some few stood up when most merely sat down. Some few raised their fists in frustrations when others merely bowed their heads in exasperations. Some few marched under the scorching heat of the tropical sun when others merely continued to be apathetic to what's going on in Samar.
I know that most of us do not understand fully how some courageous few have risked everything to advance the cause of good governance because we thought that standing up for what is right is nothing but an ordinary thing. Yes, it is an ordinary thing to denounce evil but we are in an extra-ordinary time and situation. Everybody thought in 2003 that those who rallied in front of the capitol were merely sore losers or those whom Mila fired from the capitol or merely suppliers who were not able to renew their contracts, I was skeptical then but I realized that Father Labendia could not have been a sore loser since he did not run for public office, he could not have been fired from a capitol job because he was with the Catholic Diocese of Calbayog and St. Vincent de Paul Seminary, or he could not have lost a supplier contract with the provincial government because he was not a businessman. I knew then and now that his cause was not purely personal, his cause was for good governance far and above the cause of some politicians, businessmen, and those

Look at Samar now, its roads are "sungkaan," poverty incidence is very high, developmental activities are nil, progress is either slow or inexistent. In the 80s ships used to call on the port of Catbalogan, now it is only Calbayog that has direct connection to Cebu. A friend quipped that there are no more sea tragedies affecting Samar like Dona Paz and Dona Marilyn simply because there are no more ships plying the routes of Samar. In the 90s, Catbalogan is merely two hours away from Tacloban, the regional center of Eastern Visayas. Now, it is still 2 hours of backaching ride plus another hour of smooth ride if the sky is clear and the weather is good. When people from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao traverse through the hellish roads of Samar, all they could utter are curses that they won't as much as possible go through the same hellish road experience again. How's that for promoting tourism? If you are being cursed everyday, the curse becomes you. So, to say that Samar is okay is to say that being dead and decaying is okay.

Now, back to my point that those who risked their lives did not simply calculate their risk to be within the acceptable level or that it is within the range of the standard deviation. They risked all, they risked everything. To them, my great admiration and appreciation go!

I know that the battle for good governance is not won easily in the first round, the second round, the third round, or the fourth round just as easily Manny Pacquaio trounces his boxing opponents. But a jab for change is a jab for change, some would say it is suntok sa buwan, I say it is better to jab and lose than to merely accept defeat with open arms. The fight is on, folks, and we have to do our share to be involved and be counted on. There are skeptics, I am one of them then, but may their doubts compell us to do more so those doubts would turn to faiths and hopes. The future belongs to those who hope for better things to come. The future belongs to those whose faith enable them to see the sun rise every morning even with some nasty dark clouds before them. Do not lose hope, keep the faith, keep the fight!

Name:   Samarnon
Address:   Canada
Email:
Date:    November 19, 2008

Right now if I were made to choose between Noel Labendia and Sangkay Basilio Balasbas to run for governor, I will cast my vote for Mr. Balasbas.

The reason is simple. Though I have not met Mr. Balasbas yet, it looks like I already knew him based on his postings. Partly, I now know his personality and a portion of his mind. More or less I can now predict the direction that he is going to take should he run for the office.

In Cory's case, most of her life was spent with her husband Ninoy. She knows Ninoy body and soul so to speak. Ninoy's dreams and advocacies were hers too and the people know it.

Mr. Labendia's case is a bit different. He doesn't necessarily share the same dreams and advocacies that we have. Until now he remained to be just an image and an invisible entity. We don't know what is in his mind...Probably he will bring along with him the platform and advocacies of Isog han Samar? What are those? Are they good for the whole of Samar or just good enough for the left-leaning groups? Leftists will do anything to advance their own agenda. In fact they have always played a big role in putting these corrupt politicians into power election after election in exchange of a huge cash. We all know about protection money, don't we?

Tonyboy, you were once a public servant yourself and you still are today in a different capacity. You know about moral and social responsibilities. If you are trying to endorse Mr. Labendia to us, why not give more information about him and his associations? You are very good in research and have disected well the past and present politicians. But apparently you have not done your homework on him well. That keeps me wondering...Perhaps you are protecting his right to privacy and I would understand that. Then let's leave him in private. Why bother him? Let's find somebody else of whom we can know and trust. Transparency builds confidence and trust.

Name:   Iluminada L. Ofanda
Address:   Panducena Masantol, Pamapnga City
Email:   lhumz23@yahoo.com
Date:   nov.19,2008

Hello mga tga Samar…lalo nah ha Burak…kmztah n po kaung lhat jan...sna mkauwi ako ngaung fiesta sa atin...hi father Edwin Juaban…kmztah po kau?? Mga frends kuh dda ha Burak kmstah nah...di kuh nah hahabain ung mssge kuh kz ala na me maisip nah sa2bhin...ingat nlng po kau...specially to my lola and lolo...muuwwwaaaahhh...i love you all.