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Congratulations to all the Catholic faithfuls globally as the new Pope has now been chosen by the College of Cardinals.
Born Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago, USA, is the 69 year old Cardinal Robert who will eventually be called Pope Leo XIV. Cardinal Prevost is a member of the Augustinian order, and will now serve as the 267th pontiff.
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Whether the move of the Local Water Utilities Administration to dig deeper on the issues surrounding the Villar owned PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. is politically motivated or they have finally found the courage to act decisively on the issue, I share the observation of Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, also House Assistant Majority Leader, that the investigation is long overdue.
Water is a primary commodity critical to the people’s daily survival especially this summer season that humidity is unbearable.
And noting that there are 73 joint ventures agreements that PrimeWater has entered into, yet, the people, the community and the local governments are already seeking justice to their lack of essential supply should be treated with prompt action. Because the service being demanded on PrimeWater is essential to everyone’s daily life.
Among the areas seeking justice to the very poor service or no service action at all of PrimeWater includes the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Bohol and Pangasinan. Last month I chance upon Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando and Vice Gov. Alex Castro aired their frustration over an online press conference asking if the Senate could help the people of Bulacan address their water issues against PrimeWater saying their complaints were left in deaf ears.
While on April 21, Cong. Khonghun used the social media Facebook to call on PrimeWater to improve their service as more and more barangays in Subic, Zambales suffer from water interruptions which has been going on as early as March. Khonghun said the Villar-owned water utilities were given sufficient time to improve their service as they suggested therefore it is also proper to seek the service they owe to the public.
So I wonder why the Vice President of the Philippines has the courage to speak for the Villars on the issue of PrimeWater, or maybe because she is not privy to the poor quality of their service since Davao City's water is provided by Davao City Water District.
For my 2Cents, as a water consumer myself (thanks to Manila Water), I find the idea of LWUA investigation too lame. The problem has been there way too long, why investigate only now? Are there not supposed to be sanctions? heads to roll? Because PrimeWater is under your jurisdiction? You see the idea of investigating one of the business ventures of the Villars has become an issue too big to handle (for the family of a Filipino billionaire who was on the top Forbes Magazine on the Forbes op 15 list of Pinoy Billionaires,) that’s why the strategist of the Villar-Duterte camp is to connect and drag the administration on the issue as part of its “supposed” political gimmick. That the Marcos government was using the issue to attack the friends of the Dutertes? I hate to defend the Marcos, but the issue of PrimeWater is not political, rather a reality that every Filipino especially those in power should have to secure and address for the benefit of the people whether they are voters or not. I hope I am making sense here as each of us deserves a right to potable water anytime of the day.
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I remembered looking forward to watching Shiela Marie Pineda or popularly known as Bang Pineda, formerly of Adamson Lady Falcons during her collegiate days, and Shakey’s V-League games.
As a former athlete myself, Bang Pineda was a lady crush back then, from a fan view, I see her timidity. She speaks less in court but looks charming and sweet. Perhaps the dimples were a factor, not to mention when she moves and flies in court you would not think she is just 160 cm or 5 foot 3 in height. Bang has been Adamson's go-to player back in those days. When she graduated I followed her still at the Shakey’s V-League, the oldest ball club in the country. It was also at the V-League that Bang started to transition from spiker to libero. While I felt it was to Bang’s disadvantage that she agreed to be a libero, as a player who stands 165 cm or 5 ft 5, I also understand that playing as a libero was one way of keeping her playing years back then.
And as the volleyball game became popular in those era where the Ateneo “FAB 5” of Fille Saint Merced Cainglet, Angeline Gervacio, Gretchen Ho, Gemenea Ferrer, and Aillyse Nachachi who when challenging their rival team DLSU Lady Spikers in the semis and finals match played by Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes, Ara Galang, Aby Marano, Cha Cruz, and Cyd Demecillo, among others, can fill the Araneta Coliseum ( this ers also include that of Amy Ahomiro (ADMU), Bang Pineda (ADU), and Aiza Maizo (UST)), were all before Alyssa Valdez came into the picture.
Anyway back to Pineda, I hope Bang has a manager that could help her manage her career and make better choices because as I see it, the former lady falcon is now 34, and with her age she could probably play two to three more years. And as for my 2cents, the next contract of Bang is crucial for it could signal her retirement in either Philippine Super Liga and Premier Volleyball League and start transitioning from being a player to assistant coach.
Some of you may agree with me or not, the younger collegiate players' legs these days are more powerful and faster, and they have better stamina than the veterans. And so far, the edge of the veteran players are their experiences and mental toughness that can be worked out by better coaching and excellent training programs.
So my prayers and hope for Bang Pineda that she may find her home in a team and management. True, Bang is indeed a quality player but sometimes jumping from one team to another is not also healthy considering she has been on the move from 2010 to present, from Cagayan Valley, Kia Forte, Petron, Generika, United VC, Choco Mucho, Akari, and her last club Nxled Chameleon.
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Today, I greet all those in the working class—a fruitful Labor Day. While everyday is a challenge to make both ends meet, I pray that all workers continue to persevere for the right reason, hope and dreams you have in life for you and your loved ones.
Also, I would like to take this as an opportune time to remind all VOTERS not to let go of your rightful chance to cast your vote on May 12. We will be voting because we are electing a leader that can help us realize and have better national and local government, social services, medical attention, economic upliftment, labor opportunity, transportation relief, safety, security, and a lot more other things that can help in our day-to-day life. So please, on May 12, go out and vote.
But please DO NOT VOTE according to the so-called survey’s top SENATORIAL, CONGRESSIONAL or MAYOR contenders. Surveys are made to influence public opinion. Those who responded to the surveys are only a portion of individuals, either randomly selected or chosen to reply to a set of questions according to desired response. And most of the time those included in the poll are given names that are meant only to be included in the desired “ winnable” candidates. So technically, surveys are commissioned to suit the survey commissioner’s bias, not to mention the areas whose bailiwick can be for or against the target or opposing candidates.
Remember, if we—Filipino voters will continue to allow these unworthy elected officials to represent us whether in senate, congress, local government offices, party-lists, provincial board, and city councils no Labor Day will be enough and sufficient to give our Filipino labor force pride and justice to their works and sacrifices.