A nonsense issue and exercise
IATTENDED the annual Christmas party for children with cancer who are under the care of the Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation (KKMKF) Cebu at the Chateau de Busay restaurant yesteday. Radyo GMA Network (RGMA Cebu) was one of the major sponsors of the event attended by more than 100 children cancer patients from the Visayas and Mindanao. These cancer patients receive financial assistance from the KKMKF for their maintenance medicines and for their monthly chemotherapy. RGMA shouldered their transportation expenses and overnight hotel accommodations. The management of Chateau de Busay restaurant owned by the Uy family provided the food for free. It’s the family’s annual commitment to cancer survivors.
I was touched by the stage presentation of the survivors whose theme was about the birth and life of Jesus Christ. If you witnessed the affair you’d get emotional because the patients were acting normally despite their “health problems.” Suffering from cancer is really an agony, especially for the children. Some say it’s an incurable disease but some have survived the ailment. Former patients who have been cured from the disease also attended the affair. They and their parents enjoyed the party with its various games and surprises.
Present during the event were KKMKF officers headed by Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmeña and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale and the foundation’s volunteers. Personnel of radio dySS and its sister FM station dyRT barangay FM (99.5) under RGMA were in full force. The mayor was also present. Indeed, it was very fulfilling to give and share with the less fortunate during this Christmas season. Our next activity is a medical mission on Sunday in Cantao-an, City of Naga.
*** I don’t know what kind of insect entered into the mind of “has-been” mayor Michael Rama when he challenged his political opponent, the “former political has-been” to a drug test? What was his intention? Was it a publicity stunt? And why only now? The allegation that Rama is a drug addict surfaced several years ago even before the May 9 elections. But in those days and even during his incumbency as mayor, he was hesitant to undergo a drug test. If indeed, he underwent a drug test, he did not make it public unlike what he is doing now.
Rama’s political archrival accepted the challenge but insisted that hair follicles should be used as specimen because traces of illegal drugs, even if these were taken several months ago, would still be detected. In urine samples, the presence of illegal drugs vanishes in a couple of days. If this is the case, we should stop drug testing using urine samples when applying for a driver’s licenses or a firearms renewal and for other purpose. It’s useless. But you know why the “former political hasbeen” insisted on hair follicles and not urine? Because he can’t urinate normally. His urine is in his urine bag tucked under his waistband after his operation due to his urinary bladder cancer. Ang iyang ihi toa na sa gitakin niya nga urine bag unya diluted na man na kay naa may gibutang nga medisina para dili mabaho. Gets nyo?
Anyway, the two submitted themselves to separate drug tests. The urine sample of Mike, which was taken at the Hi-Precision Diagnostic Clinic, showed there was no illegal substance in his system. The result of the hair sample will be out in two weeks. The “former political has-been” submitted his hair specimen at the St. Vincent Hospital owned by businessman Gus Go. He said he chose Go’s hospital because he could not Go for the result. Why was he talking about bribery? Is he insinuating that other hospitals and drug testing centers, including City Hall’s own Cosap, can be bribed? Maayo man og si Attorney Go maoy mohimo sa drug test niya. Morag insulto man ni ni Cosap chair Dr. Alice Utlang. Again, ato na nalang nang undangon ang mga drug test sa mga empliyado sa City Hall kay bisan ang mayor mismo dili man mosalig.
What they are trying to prove with this drug test challenge? That they are not into drugs? After this, what’s the next challenge? To undergo a lie detector test to figure out who between them is lying? For me, this is a nonsense exercise and a non-issue. Nothing is beneficial to the city’s constituents. Walay labot ug walay makuha ang lungsod ani. Morag mahulog nga binata ni.
If they want to play and keep politics in the city livelier, especially on the part of Rama who has been out of the limelight, they should hold a debate or quarrel on issues that can benefit the Cebuanos. Take for example the sale at the South Road Properties, or the budget for next year, the Inayawan dumpsite closure or the recent land swap deal memorandum of agreement betwen City Hall and the Capitol. Pagkawalay hinungdan nang drug test. Maayo lang pamakungon nang inyong ulo.