Free from the ‘bondage of tyranny’
The resignation of former Cebu City councilor Nida Cabrera as head of the Cebu City Environmental and Natural Office (CCENRO), which surprised even her office staff, raises more questions than answers. She did not categorically answer reporters when asked about the reasons for her unexpected resignation. She just simply said that “it’s hard to work when you are no longer happy.”
Well, I think it’s not necessary for Cabrera to explain to the public. If she does, she might open a Pandora’s box about the differences in her advocacies and principles with that of her “appointing authority.”
She might not admit it, but she owes the “former political has-been” a lot.
Cabrera, the former barangay captain of Luz, would not have been a city councilor for one term if she wasn’t recruited by the “former political has-been” under the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan’s (BOPK) lineup. The party had seen her “potential.” Almost all of us have that “sense of gratitude.” Many expected her to perform well and to stand by her principles. But unfortunately, like other BOPK stalwarts, she became one of the minions of her political master. She became one of the blind and loyal followers of the “former political has-been.” She followed “orders” even if these were against her principles.
Cabrera’s resignation (I don’t know if it was irrevocable) raises some speculations.
One of which is that she could no longer swallow the “order” of the “former political has-been,” especially on the issue about the re-opening and rehabilitation of the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill.
Cabrera said that one of the reasons of her resignation is her “conflict” with BOPK Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., who sponsored several budgetary resolutions for the landfill’s rehabilitation.
But if that is true, then it’s not a Cabrera-Gabuya “conflict.” It’s a conflict between Cabrera and the “former political has-been.” Why? Because Gabuya was also acting on the latter’s orders.
I understand Gabuya’s predicament because, like Cabrera and the other BOPK stalwarts, he’s also a minion of BOPK. They are all rubber stamps.
If the resignation of Cabrera was a “matter of principle,” then I should congratulate her for standing her ground. At least for now, she has opened her eyes to the reality that she and the other BOKP stalwarts are just being used by their “political master” to advance his personal and political agenda. The plan to re-open and rehabilitate the Inayawan landfill is a guise for a “moneymaking venture” by some entrepreneurial minds at City Hall.
There is money in it. The plan to put up a huge material recovery and waste-to-energy facility stems from a personal and business agenda by the powers that be.
They are just fooling the public who believes that these are “noble” intentions for a sustainable environmental development.
However, there’s a more “in-depth reason” why they are pushing for these projects in the landfill, which was already ordered permanently closed by virtue of a court order.
With her resignation, Cabrera can now sleep well as she is now free from the bondage of tyranny. Kanang uban diha, kanus-a pa man mo mahigmata anang iyang diktatoryang pangagamhanan?