Candidness

SENATOR IMEE Marcos was probably “born genius”. The way she speaks, the way she delivers her piece, the way she enunciates her point – all in an excellent way. But more than her eloquence, I really admire t he senator’s candidness in stressing her very reasons behind notable issues confronting the country now. In her press conference held in Calatrava town in northern Negros Occidental on Saturday, March 9, what struck me was Senator Imee’’s reasoning on three pressing issues: *controversial proposed Charter Change( ch a-ch a) via people’ s initiative( PI) *Republic Act( RA) 10591 or the reawakened Firearms Law in the country * raging El Niño phenomenon

BE TRANSPARENT

On the proposed Cha-Cha, Senator Imee stressed she’s not against amending any economic provisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. “I’m not against Cha- Cha, not even on PI ( People’s Initiative),” she told t he Bacolod media. But one thing she’s begging for is for the proponent(s) to be transparent. “Don’t hide anything. Simple as that!” the lady senator dared those behind the controversial proposal. But in her addendum, Senator Marcos stressed what needs to be addressed now ain’t the 1987 Constitution but inflation that causes the skyrocketing prices of basic goods in the market. Quite right. Can Cha-Cha “kill” inflation or arrest the exorbitant prices of basic goods? If not, then let’s forget such.

‘VERY, VERY DANGEROUS’

On the controversial amendment to be included in the re-awakening of RA 10591, allowing civilians to possess semi-automatic guns, Senator Imee’s simple yet “with a bang” retort: “Very, very dangerous !” She feared that Philippines will be the next “Murder Capital” of the world once this much- talked statute enacted in 2013 and revived in 2018, but shelved for five years, will fully be implemented soonest. The senator cited several cases of mass shooting in America and other parts of the world due to government laxity in regulating gun ownership among the civilian people. Echoing Senator Imee’s sentiment re: RA 10591 is Commission on Human Rights (CHR) -Negros chief, Vincent Parra.

Like Senator Imee, Paŕra also fears that the infamous killings in Negros in the 80s will be resuscitated.

DISCIPLINE IS THE KEY

But top cops both in the Province of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City are almost okay with the Firearms Law. Colonel Rainerio de Chavez, director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), said it is good that the police could now regulate all the firearms among civilians via legitimate registration. Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) chief, Colonel Noel Aliño, however, said, “everything will still boil down to discipline.”

‘OUTDATED’

Meanwhile, what seems to be funny is the El Niño phenomenon i n Negros Occidental, which already incurred more than P77-M in crop damage ( rice and corn). The drought in 11 towns and cities in the southern part of the province, described by many, is “beyond the usual”, resulting to the “hard water mess” in Himamaylan City right now. Negros rice and corn farmers, sans further ado, really need assistance from the government as El Niño continues to dry up their lands. But Senator Imee disclosed the Registry System for Basic Sector i n Agriculture ( RSBA) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas is “outdated”. And this hinders Negros farmers from availing themselves of P5,000 each of cash assistance from the DA. Thus, Senator Imee urged local officials in Negros to intervene, or Negros farmers will be left behind when it comes to the distribution of financial assistance from the government.

POLITICALLY SERIOUS

Well, Senator Imee’s contentions on varied issues show that she is more than politically serious. She is transparent without fear or favor. She speaks what is needed to be spoken and heard by the public. He candidness is worth emulating./