A recent survey of safe cities in Asia showed Singapore to be the safest, followed by Valenzuela City, Chang Mai (Thailand), Davao City, Makati City, Baguio City, Bali (Indonesia), Cebu City, Penang (Malaysia) and Bangkok (Thailand).
The inclusion of five Philippine cities in this list is a tribute to their local officials.
As a resident of Makati, I commend Mayor Abigail Binay. She has done so much for the city and its residents.
She gave meaning to the Binay tradition of making Makati a premier city, being the financial and business center. She has not only raised the income to high levels, but also assured citizens that in the event of disaster, the city can respond effectively. She has returned the city’s sidewalks to pedestrians.
Makati is my city. I would not have it any other way.
* * *
The cesspool that the island paradise of Boracay has become has opened a can of worms on the neglect and indifference of local officials of the resorts in their areas.
Now Boracay Island will be closed for six months.
President Duterte should start kicking some butts to make local officials aware of the magnitude of the problem.
Findings of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Tourism show that many tourist destinations have violated environmental laws blatantly. Some establishments have been constructed so near the beach.
Now the closure of Boracay brings its own downside like the loss of jobs and income from tourism.
There are many beach resorts where tourists can go this season. But many of these destinations also cry out for government attention.
* * *
The Pasig River, for one thing, needs cleaning and rejuvenation. The President said Boracay had become a cesspool. He overlooked the fact that just outside his office, there is a bigger cesspool.
With so many squatter colonies along the river banks, Pasig River has become a big toilet.
The President must be made aware of the fact that ferry service along the river can become an alternative means of transportation. Then again, cleaning of the Pasig cannot be done just like that. Still, with enough willpower, it can be done.
Another thing that the DENR, DILG and DoT can do during these summer months is to set up a fact-finding commission to look at what ails Baguio City, which is choking to death.
While the city has between 250,000 and 300,000 residents, it easily swells to 1.5 million given the lowlanders who come there to escape the heat.
My gulay, going to Baguio during the summer months is no longer fun! Going to Burnham Park or even Session Road has become a chore.
And try going to the SM Mall where you will fight your way through the crowd. It seems everybody is there.
Horseback riding? It’s a drag. Mines View Park is occupied by ambulant vendors.
I can go on and on. I am sad at what Baguio has become.
The question is whether it can still be saved. I say of course it can! But as in the case of Pasig River, it will need a lot of willpower.
* * *
If Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno will be impeached and disqualified as primus inter pares—the first among equals—at the Supreme Court, she only has herself to blame.
When Sereno pointed to President Duterte as the architect of the quo warranto proceeding against her at the Supreme Court—Solicitor General Jose Calida is after all his alter ego—the President had no recourse but brand her as the enemy.
With the awesome powers of the President, members of Congress will surely fast-track the trial at the Senate.
Just which will come first, conviction at the impeachment court or ouster by quo warranto, is a matter of speculation. Either way, her goose is cooked!
It’s too late for Sereno to be a martyr crying persecution.
I think she is just pathetic when she says that something will happen if she is ousted as chief justice. And what exactly will happen? Is she hallucinating?
She has nobody to blame but herself. She has made so many enemies among her colleagues.
* * *
The Senate race next year will be dominated by women, if my sources are right.
The re-electionists will be led by Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar and Nancy Binay. There will also be Pia Cayetano, who wants to go back to the Senate, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, transgender Geraldine Roman, and even former Environmental Secretary Gina Lopez.
The most surprising development is that former President Gloria Arroyo may also run. She will win, hands down, and may even become Senate President.
Among the men, there are JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada and Francis Tolentino.
My gulay, let’s not elect minions and apologists of the President. We need independent lawmakers so badly!
