Monday, February 19, 2007

Who will emerge in the congressional derby?

The political fever is on! As of press time, three political figures are floating to run for the congressional seat of the lone district of Kalinga. The incumbent Vice Governor Atty. Rommel W. Diasen, retired DPWH Assistant Secretary Engr. Manuel S. Agyao, and former Governor Atty. Macario A. Duguiang have publicly ascertained their congressional bid. On the question whether the situation remains, it will be answered after the last hour of filing come March 29, 2007.

What is very striking however in such troika is the case of Duguiang and his cousin Agyao. Duguiang accepted that the poltical rift between him and the Agyao camp, brought about by the sudden change of political decision of the latter, is the most disturbing in his political career. Duguiang claimed that in his previous meetings with Agyao the two agreed that the latter will give way. Running against each other on the same position is utterly a losing situation. We do not necessarily be a political pundit to say that line of argument. Even the unlettered ones will surely say it is a waste of time and money for the two – assuming they are serious in their bid. People analyzing the situation are saying, at least for now, it will be a favorable venture for Diasen.

But what about if another equally credible figure will enter in the race? Many wannabes can make history if they really do so. Take for example Atty. Sergio T. Angnganay; if he forgets his vice gubernatorial candidature and consider stepping further up can actually make either in the gubernatorial or congressional derby. What do you think?

Friday, February 16, 2007

Tabuk: A new city?

House Bill 6005 seeking to convert the municipality of Tabuk into a component city was finally approved by the Senate last Monday. Good news to all well-wishers of cityhood.


The Bill will be sent to MalacaƱang for PGMA to affix her signature, which then signals the conduct of a plebiscite for the people of Tabuk to say “Yes” or “No” to cityhood. A lot of rosy outlooks associated with cityhood! Mayor Lammawin is quoted saying that the development flows in others areas because of more revenues. Why not! Tabuk after all will get a twofold increase in its Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) – Php 100 M or so – according to reports. This will certainly help improve basic services. There will be leapfrogging activities in the construction sector and so on and so forth.


But will the purported benefits of cityhood trickle down onto the table of every family of Tabuk? Will it make better the lot of every constituency? Will it improve public order and security? And a litany of questions! The dynamics of the issue is broad. Expect therefore that in the coming weeks and months there will be collisions of public discourses - for and against.

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The primary objective of this blog is to enhance the democratic landscape of Kalinga as a province by providing a medium for a broader platform of interfacing and alternative channel of interactions among the eKalingas and even visitors.

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