Ducky Paredes

“A collaborationist government restored to power wanted us out. Indignant at being tried for treason, everyone of them became anti-American.”

by Ducky Paredes

The first one is from someone who sounds like an American old-timer who wants to remain anonymous: “Hi Mr. Paredes: Read your column with considerable interest. Tend to agree with you about Gov. Panlilio. He’d likely be a disappointment should he ascend to that high office. We, ourselves, had presidents who were decent men caught out of their depths.  Much of the seeds of progress originated with the Marcoses.
“I note the comment about abandonment by The US at The Philippines most vulnerable period. Independence was preordained by the Tydings-McDuffie act. A collaborationist government restored to power wanted us out. Indignant at being tried for treason, every one of them became anti-American.
“A young idealist, Lorenzo Tanada was also disillusioned with American cynicism. After appointing him Special Prosecutor, he found himself obstructed at every turn. Secretary of Interior Harold Ickes pointed out to then President Truman that if “democratic” leaders were to be convicted, there would be no one left to administer government. The only alternative would have been the Huks, and southern guerrilla leaders with great potential to become warlords.
“The Rescission Act stemmed from this resentment. I seem to recall reading in The Liberty News one legislator declaring, “Why should we be mendicants? We can take care of our own heroes.”  I was just starting high school, and I preferred The Liberty News to more sedate publications like The Times, Bulletin, Chronicle, Herald, and Evening News because the late Arsenio Lacson had a column, which encompassed politics, and even sports. I enjoyed his articulate, malicious style.
“Ickes also asserted that by pledging allegiance to The US, Filipinos were entitled to protection against mutual enemies — protection, the US could not provide, leaving the entire collaborationist trials on shaky legal grounds. Please withhold my name. I don’t want to be ‘meddling’ in Philippine politics.  Best.”
* * *
Honestly, I think you have been around long enough to have earned the right to meddle. Thanks for your insights.
* * *
From Aristophanes X. Gozun:“I am a fan of your column. I always read your column because I know before you write some article you have an in-depth knowledge about the topic but it all change when you write about Among Ed Presidency. I think you only write what someone tells you and you don’t examine things before making an article.
“Let me tell you a story regarding Gov. Panlilio. When he run on Gubernatorial race, he has no money (which we all know), he has no machinery in election but still manage to won the election, why? Because of the people’s belief that he can change the Pampanga, so many rich kapampangan donate even millions of peso to support Gov. Ed. What was happen now is that many people got angry to Among Ed especially the rich one, they are trying to recall his post if you remember, because he did not support the favor of the rich men. The rich men want something in return for their gratitude but Among’s rigid decision to have good governance in the province of Pampanga that makes these rich men annoyed. As you can see also many roads in Pampanga are now made concrete even the small one (streets in barrio) because of him but not the former Governor.
“Hoping that this message will read by yours.”
* * *
The rich, Mr. Gozun, are no different from you and me. Give them good governance and they will react the same as other citizens. Look at how all of Marikina reacted to the good governance of Bayani and Marides Fernando. They win elections without even campaigning and yet they are also disciplinarians. When most of the electorate turn against their leader, something is wrong with the leadership and not the other way around. If Among Ed can win re-election, this might make me a believer. For now, I do not think that Pampanga wants a second term with him.
* * *
“It’s too bad you don’t live in the south of Metro Manila. You seem to be talking out of your hat since you are not a resident of our area.
“You have no idea of the effect of the SLEX traffic on the feeder roads of Sucat, Bicutan, and Alabang exits. The congestion on the toll way has caused a domino effect on all roads leading to it as well as adjacent roads to the arteries feeding on to the SLEX. Even the Old Domestic/MIA route is experiencing an increase of congestion due to more people avoiding the SLEX to go home to the south. Our wasted gasoline and time coming from this nightmare is more than can ever be gained from a toll reduction.
“Add the frustration of being muscled over to the side by a wailing siren used by the arrogant bodyguards of certain gov’t officials and you can see that the situation is about to blow up.
“Just check-in to a hotel in Alabang area for a week and commute to Makati daily before you write about our SLEX woes, get your facts straight, don’t go shooting your mouth off first.” — Ikoy Leviste
* * *
You are wrong, Ikoy. The reason I do not live South of Metro Manila is because I do not want to spend my life on the road stuck in traffic. To me, the ideal places to live in are San Juan and Mandaluyong –  quiet neighborhoods and near enough to everywhere. Putting down millions for a place in Alabang only to be stuck in traffic almost daily is not my idea of living well.
I sympathize with you but losing your cool over temporary road repairs that will give you a better life after two years or so is a waste of your time. Grin and bear it for now. You might begin to enjoy living south of Metro Manila by 2012. Good luck.

# # # #
hvp (07.21.09)