MikeLigalig.com

By Loy Palapos
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post
www.boholsundaypost.net

"WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE" was a disturbing movie years ago, a blood-and-thunder-fire-and-brimstone flick depicting the end of planet Earth. A galactic terror in cinemascope and sensorround, a spectacle to the eyes, a blatant assault to man's lack of foresight. But that was only scifi (science fiction) designed to astound.

The globe has been scarred by two World Wars as offshoots to man's pride and greed, and a third may be in the offing for the same reasons, oftentimes disguised as patriotism. It is hard to annihilate a bad trait.

February being a love-month, let's not deal on holocausts of the afore-mentioned type. Let's talk about words colliding… about Word Wars, which seems to be a recurrent panacea perpetrated at the top of governance and savored at the bottom.

We are referring to the Senate, populated by eager-beavers obviously moving heaven and earth to earn pogi points for an endorsement in the forthcoming presidential derby in 2010. Of loquacious Senators who have seemingly forgotten that their main responsibility is to make laws and to make this poor country a better place to live in, not to consume their time (and whatever talents they have) and the people's money in endless witch-hunting.

In the local scene, there are many who make it a habit to listen to the booming salvos of Atty. Governor Victor de la Serna, and the repartees delivered by Mayor Dan Lim. It is fast becoming a weekly diatribe in print and broadcast media, with the readers and listeners anticipating more spectacular tirades.

Let's try to take a peep into the mind of the most veteran (although comparatively very young) Kagawad of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Hon. Leonides Lagura Borja (LLB), regarding this national and local Word War.

LMP: What is your comment about the Lozada case, as far as the way Malacañang handles the situation?
LLB: I first heard about the name Lozada in the incident of his arrival and departure last week. I think Lozada has some information about the issue being tackled, and as of Malacañang handling the issue, I think the President is trying to contain the situation as much as possible, since naay bug-at nga isulti si Lozada. But I just hope that this will not lead to the downfall of the Arroyo administration.

LMP: So you believe in Lozada?
LLB: As far as his testimony for the past 2 days is concerned, I think Mr. Lozada has something to say about the NBN deal. But as to what percentage, I still have to follow the hearings.

LMP: Lozada declared that he was abducted, but the Malacañang men said he was not. From your point of view, who is telling the truth?
LLB: When I watched Atienza on the news, he looked disgusted and emphatic about the accusation, also with Atty. Bautista. But like I said, I still have to follow the hearing.

LMP: Kadtong paglarga ni Lozada from the Philippines, do you believe that it was his own will or dunay nagpalarga niya?
LLB: I think it was his own will, because at that time, he was not yet prepared to face the Senate. Second, knowing the personalities involved, probably, he felt a lot of pressures.

LMP: So unsay matawag nato nga main reason why Lozada was afraid to face the Senate?
LLB: Maybe because duna siya'y bomba nga buhian nga makadaot sa mga dagko nga opisyal, and partly implicated siya sa kaso. I don't think Lozada was not involved in the transaction. Apil gyud siya, nahimo lang siya nga whistle blower.

LMP: So, if he will not tell the truth, ma-implicate siya. On the other hand, if he would talk, the Presidents' men will target him. Sa ato pa, both sides ang iyang gikahadlokan.
LLB: Of course. pagtawag pa lang niya sa iyang asawa, that's already a sign nga nahadlok siya sa iyang kinabuhi, also of the fact that he decided to go abroad. For me, Lozada is a very confused man. In the case of Neri, bisan mitingog siya, wala siya mahadlok because the administration backed him up. Si Lozada, both sides are against him, that's why his trying to get comfort sa mga madre ug pari kay wala naman siyay kapaingnan.

LMP: What do you think is the impact of this case on the administration?
LLB: For me, it tarnishes the image of the administration as well as the politicians. Nagdugang siya sa graft and corruption cases. Murag miuyon siya sa giingon sa usa ka international organization that the Philippines is the most corrupt country in Asia.

LMP: Between Neri and Lozada, who is more honest?
LLB: I think Lozada is just trying to save his own skin.

LMP: Let's go to the side of the Senate. It's understandable that the Senate is pro-opposition. Do you think this is a big case against GMA?
LLB: I think the President will survive. Daghan na ang gusto mupalagpot niya, but none of them succeeded.

LMP: How do you assess the so-called word-war between Mayor Dan Lim and Atty. Victor Dela Serna?
LLB: Si Atty. Dela Serna man gud, he attacked the likes of governor, all of the congressman in the past. Karon, iyang gi-atake si Mayor Dan Lim. Ang gihimo ni mayor ron, iyang gi-unhan si Victor, ming-file si Mayor sa Ombudsman aron unhan na ang himoon ni Dela Serna. Ang gika-ubsan man gud sa mayor, nangayo si Atty. Dela Serna ug papeles, iyang gihatagn. Karon, nangayo na pod ug papeles without even stating kong para asa. Ang problema, gi-copy furnish niya sa Vice-Mayor, ug sa SP nga mohatag man gihapon ang Mayor nila. Gipakaowawan lang gyod ang Mayor, when all he has to do is to give a letter to the Mayor and ask for the paper, di kay iya pang ipasa sa laing tawo.

LMP: In your perception, how will this word war end?
LLB: As long as dili personalan ang issue, I think ma-settle ra ni siya, kay makit- an man pod ni nako sila nga mag-abot sa taas sa City Hall.

LMP: I would like you to comment on what I heard from a grapevine about the politicians in the 2010 election. One thing I heard is that Gov. Aumentado will be running for Congressman and Congressman Cajes will run in the district soon to be created.
LLB: Morag sa 2nd district, the Governor is very visible man didto. There was one party nga late ang iyang arrival, I joked saying nga na-late ba siya tungod sa pag-bisita sa 2nd district, wala ra man pod siya mi tingog. With Congressman Cajes, ang iyang pagdagan will only be possible if there is a fourth district, pero morag dili pa ma realize na kay hapit na ang 2010. If the governor will run for congress, Cajes may settle as Vice-Governor.

LMP: How about Boy Jala?
LLB: Boy Jala will be back again as Congressman, and he will give his son a chance to practice law. Jala is still attending mga inaugurations sa 2nd district. He's very visible. He's more of the Congressman than the son.

LMP: How about Vice-Governor Julius Caesar Herrera?
LLB: I think he will run as Congressman sa 1st district.

LMP: Without any opposition?
LLB: There will be a lot of oppositions.

LMP: Who are the possibilities?
LLB: Anyone from the Chatto family. Pero, mora pag way klaro ang Congressman ana nga district.

LMP: Do you find the life of a politician very challenging?
LLB: Yes, it's challenging, at the same time tiring, especially when there are conflicts of ideas and interests. A lot of pressure form parties, and from other groups.

LMP: With all the decisions you made, would you say that you were right all along?
LLB: Sometimes. I may have mistakes at times, but as much as possible I try to balance everything.

It is in the balancing act that Kagawad Edi Borja has long proven his acumen in decision-making. It may be recalled that in the last election he was entrenched in the Lakas Party headed by Atty. Joe Torralba. Now that the dust of the latest political confrontation has settled down, he has made it clear that his loyalty to his party ends where his loyalty to the people begins. For him, party affiliation and political color take the sidelines when the welfare of his constituents are at stake.

In his early forties, he is still young compared to many who have been given the vote to become lawmakers. Younger in looks, he is the most experienced among the incumbent member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. He knows a word-war when there is one, and himself acknowledge that it is a part of the political game.

But this does not deter him from his main objective: to make peace prevail while he serves the people.

After all, even colliding ideas and the use of words as bullets keep observers on edge, especially if the combatants are well-known personalities in the political cauldron.

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