AS if this presidential spokesperson named Edwin Lacierda is not new to politics or simply he couldn’t accept the bitter fact that it’s already the ‘balimbing’ season for clever politicians who conveniently jump to other parties just to ensure their vested political interest, truly, the all-time turncoats!
Besides, there’s no denying though Mr. Lacierda wouldn’t agree for he would get the ax from his boss that PNoy is starting to lose his influence as he’s nearing his term and he’ll soon become a lame duck President.
So what’s this he’s saying that Liberal Party members who start jumping ship should first consider the President’s ‘high satisfaction rating’ which he says could affect their candidacy? Really, whoa!
Mr. Lacierda must be aware, though again he’ll refute it, that PNoy was just an accidental president who rose to power because most of Filipino voters are sentimental, who quickly turned on then non-performing Sen. Benigno Aquino III as the ‘answer’ following the death of his mother, ex-president Corazon Aquino.
Now it’s time to admit that their days are numbered at the Palace.
Life’s like that even in politics.
ALL AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS IN VALENZUELA
A coalition of various stakeholders led by the Valenzuela City government has been recently formed to curb the spread of illegal drugs.
More than 1,700 representatives from homeowners’ associations, schools, churches, and socio-civic groups and barangays and local government officials had launched the City Coalition of Anti-Drugs Advocates.
According to Mayor Rex Gatchalian, drug abuse is a problem not only of the city government and the police but of every city resident.
“The city government makes up but a small number of people. There are even more average Valenzuela City residents who clamor for a solution to what has been considered a social ill, that is, drug abuse,” he says.
The coalition has then adapted at least seven strategies to accomplish its goal:
1. Increase people’s awareness on the harmful effects of illegal drugs by holding seminars and distributing relevant literature among communities.
2. Deter people from turning to drug trade by teaching them livelihood skills.
3. Promote engagement in community activities as a way to deter drug abuse.
4. Improve people’s access to quality healthcare, transportation, housing, and justice by streamlining government procedures.
5. Encourage vigilance among the people by rewarding tips on drug-related activities in the community.
6. Create safer communities by erecting more streetlights, among other means.
7. Draft policies that will allow efficient anti-drug initiatives.
T
he city has come a long way when it comes to infrastructure, education, commerce, healthcare, peace and order, and people’s quality of life so it’s high time for the city residents to unite in the fight against this social cancer-illegal drugs, Mayor Gatchalian dares his constituents.
Reports by the local Station Anti-Illegal Drugs-Special Operation Task Group show the police dealt with 394 drug-related cases in 2014 and 207 in the first two quarters of 2015. GOOD RIDDANCE/ARLIE CALALO
