What is this world coming to? Two days ago a crazed unidentified man in a van ran down pedestrians in downtown Toronto killing, nine and injuring 16 others. Canadian police were able to apprehend the assailant and bring him in for questioning as to his motive. But who knows what runs in the minds of these mindless monsters?
A few years ago, a man shot at least four people to death in front of the Canadian parliament in Ottawa. One can imagine the carnage he could have committed if he had gotten inside the parliament and shot the MPs who were in session.
Just a week before in North Carolina, a young, mentally unstable man went into a waffle restaurant and started shooting customers killing four. Dogged police work resulted in the arrest of the suspect.
A month ago in Parkland, Florida a young man fired at random shooting to death nine students. The proliferation of firearms triggered a million marchers nationwide to protest against loose control of firearms sales.
Years ago, Middle Eastern terrorists who hijacked three US airliners crashed two of the planes into New York’s iconic twin Trade Centers towers bringing them down to ashes. Well planned attacks on London’s underground, a Paris sidewalk café, Brussels Zavantem airport, a van which ploughed into pedestrians in Nice, Monaco followed.
These senseless attacks on civilians have become the new normal. The perpetrators are not all terrorists. Some of them are deranged homegrown people who feel estranged from civilized society. The proliferation of these outcasts is spawning copycats who yearn for attention and making newspaper headlines.
Senate wannabes
The Pulse Asia survey held recently came out with 12 senatorial wannabes. Led by reelectionist Senator Grace Poe who topped the survey with 97 percent, the list includes some newcomers.
Poe, however, was reported as saying she was burned out and might skip the 2019 mid-term elections. Senator Tito Sotto is on his last year. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senators Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Paulo “ Bam” Aquino, JV Ejercito and Cynthia Villar are seeking reelection. Newcomers are Davao Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio, Ilocos Gov. Imee Marcos, newsman Erwin Tulfo and former Philippine National Police Director General Ronald de la Rosa. Former senators Lito Lapid, Pia Cayetano and Sergio Osmeña are running for a return to the Senate.
I will give my views only on the ones who deserve to be in the Senate and refrain from any remarks on the ones who have not done much during their term.
I will start with Senate President Pimentel. I think he should be reelected because of his composure in presiding over the upper chamber. Angara, Bam Aquino and JV Ejercito have also been active members of the Senate. It would be interesting to see Imee Marcos in the Senate in place of brother Bongbong.
It’s too bad Grace Poe Llamanzares is bowing out of the Senate. If true the 2016 presidential election took a lot out of her, then she and her family might go back to the United States where they have been long-time residents. Senators Richard Gordon, Panfilo Lacson, Risa Hontiveros and Franklin Drilon are still in the Senate to keep the opposition alive. Dutrerte arch critic Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is on his last year and it is not known what his plans are. He will probably seek a local post as governor in his home province or run as congressman. If he wins, Trillanes can continue his role of being a thorn on Duterte’s side from the House of Representatives.
As for Jinggoy Estrada, his return to the Senate is clouded by his case of plunder for the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund. He is now out on bail. There are reports his father, former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, is grooming him to be the next mayor.
I ‘d rather not comment on Ronald dela Rosa, Cynthia Villar, Nancy Binay and Erwin Tulfo. My biggest contribution on their candidacies is to keep my silence.
The SWS survey of these names coming up for the senatorial slate is good news. It means the 2019 mid-term elections will go through and will not be shelved in favor of a parliamentary/federal system being planned by the administration’s super majority in Congress.
