Joe Arreuges

Joe Arrueges of Calauag, Quezon

Our personal encounters were few and far between. The first one I recall was in the late 70s when he was a top honcho at Jolly Benitez’ Ministry of Human Settlement. I could not recall what we exactly talked about as I was there in the company of my friend Tony Kalaw of the Development Academy of the Philippines. While Tony K was busied up somewhere in the labyrinthine office along Buendia in Makati, I went up to his room to introduce myself and while coffee was being served we had that first conversation.

Of course his contemporaries are my uncles Felix and Teofilo and he didn’t know me from Amah. From across the table he said, “ah ikaw pala panganay ni Kuya Eno.” It was a long kumustahan, he was asking the latest of the cousins he had lost track for a long time.

stories in my head.... A Leap in the Dark

PhilStar October 30, 2008:
"Among the eight recipients in Southern Tagalog were Elenita Ermita-Buhain
of Batangas, daughter of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, and Aleta Suarez of
Quezon, who was succeeded in the present Congress by husband Danilo Suarez, one
of President Arroyo’s favorite companions on her foreign trips."(105 congressmen
received funds from Jocjoc)

Philstar September 23, 2008:
“SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) confirmation negative,” auditors
reported when they checked the registration papers of Commoners Foundation and
Las Marias Foundation. They could not locate the other fund recipients.Other
private organizations that received funds from DA were Unlad Quezon Foundation,
P10 million; Mula sa Puso Foundation (amount not indicated); Bantayog Kalinga
Foundation, P5 million; Kamama Foundation, P30 million; Encima Lhea Care
Foundation, P2.1 million, JR and JP Enterprises, P13.6 million; Kapuso at
Kapamilya Foundation, P13 million; and Buhay Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation, P10
million.Auditors questioned the use of the last two foundations, which they said
were located in Metro Manila

.         Questionable transfer of funds

“Since the beneficiaries are Bohol constituents, there is no acceptable
reason for the transfer of funds from RFU VII (Central Visayas) to Nabcor
(National Agribusiness Corp., a DA agency) and finally to NGOs located in Metro
Manila,” they said.Unlad Quezon Foundation was supposed to implement “Sagip
Hanapbuhay,” a project of Rep. Danilo Suarez in Tiaong town. However, auditors
reported that most of the alleged beneficiaries did not receive funds."

stories in my head, part twenty five

CALL ME NAYBI…. ERAP Y ENRILE

Gift of the Magi

“The purpose of any political organization is to get money from the gamblers…”  Wilbur LeGette

When two septuagenarians and an octogenarian meet to chart their politics in the midst of squalor, we are nothing but doomed. When one of the septuagenarians openly makes known his burning ambition to be president, how do we make out of it? It confirms why we remain third world and get stuck at the bottom rung of undeveloped countries for years to come.

stories in my head, part twenty four

THE INDEPENDENCE OF PAQUITO OCHOA

Twenty four months into the first term of the sitting President, visible cracks have formed between the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Liberal Party. It is now out and out war between the political party of the President where he sits as its Chairman Emeritus and his ES.

Its occupant, the reticent Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. has a long memory and by each passing day he takes into account the insults and the contempt he suffered at the hands of the top honchos of the LP.

With every passing day and into the midterm elections, the ES has entrenched himself within the psyche and confidence of the sitting President. He has made it known that he has his own agenda separate from his patron.

stories in my head, part twenty three

MOST Law is the new THE FIRM

The current impasse between the PCSO Board and the Office of the ES is meant to benefit Vice President Jejomar Binay who has been grooming his own senatorial slate under his United Nationalists Alliance. From all indications, the Executive Secretary has aligned himself with Binay as insurance for political longevity way beyond 2016.

The ES is a name partner of Marcos Ochoa Serapio and Tan. It is not quite hard to understand that when one occupies a sensitive position in Malacanang, history tells us that by the process of osmosis, the sycophant assumes a greater destiny than his principal.

stories in my head, part twenty two

Economies of Scale: The Family that Runs Together

Ever since the Dutertes fielded a Daughter and Father team in the local elections in the city of Davao and won hands down, local politics were never the same again.

Using the Davao filial combination as precedent, the Talagas of Lucena are pushing their luck much too far. While Davao City is an exception for being a melting pot yet the conversion of family as a political party tweaks the Constitutional ban on dynasty.

Davao City is a far cry from Lucena because the latter retains for the most part the composition of its inhabitants. The pitong lahi is still very much intact in Lucena. Blood relationship heavily counts in this city.

stories in my head, part twenty one

"this is where we live"

THE LEAKING ROOF

In no time at all, they passed the Local Government Code in 1991. That was just when the Cory Constitution was only four years old. Many noted that the Cory Constitution is a voluminous document as it looks like a Bucket List of the late President. Max Soliven whom Cory impleaded in a libel case described the Charter as “verbose”.

Nonetheless, it catalogued what appears to be our Road Map to the 21^st century. Perhaps it was a Will cum Testament capsulizing what ills the country and notwithstanding her time constraint to addressing all these myriad political-social-cultural debits, at least she had them all accounted for all of us to see what can be done when she is gone.

stories in my head, part twenty

APECO: ANOTHER DYNASTY GONE BAD

Suddenly it dawned on us that the APECO law is poised to kill hundreds of people in Aurora. By the expedient of legislating economic progress, the Angaras are driving away indigenous people and legitimate land owners from their livelihood.

While the Ampatuans actually pulled the trigger, the Angaras are into a “white collar” massacre. Bella Angara was heard saying in a radio interview, “alam namin ang aming guinagawa dahil kaming tatlo (her brother Ed and nephew Sonny) ay mga abogado.” Look how self-absorbed these dynasts are. What a way to end an argument.

stories in my head, part nineteen

Ayos!

WHO AXED GWEN GARCIA

Its Garcia-Davide all over again in Cebu comes 2013. The last time they met, the son of the former Chief Justice and name sake, Hilario Davide III, got a drubbing from the durable emerging dynasty of the Garcias in Lapu Lapu’s island province.

Gwen Garcia, a look-alike of Dr. Vicki Belo first thought of leaving her small pond and considered dabbling in national politics. She aligned herself with the nascent Jejomar Binay meteor reminiscent of the unstoppable Jeep ni Erap in 1998. Having been a habitué of a political aquarium first as a long time consultant of Mayor Eufrocino Codilla of Ormoc, Gwen hopped to Cebu when her father was elected provincial governor and one sibling, the City Mayor of Cebu. Having been instrumental in the election of President Gloria Arroyo in 2004 where Cebu delivered 1M-vote majority over FPJ, she nursed the idea that at last the nation has finally noticed the Cebuana fair lady besting Winnie Osmena. Parlaying spoils of electoral victory, GMA gifted another sibling, Winston, the Chairmanship of GSIS.

stories in my head, part eighteen

A Local Cosa Nostra

PALACE CONNECTION

In the aftermath of the Atimonan Massacre that saw 13 persons dead, attention is now focused at the Palace as to who is the well-placed protector of one of the deceased, Vic Siman. In one of the pictures taken by the NBI and the media, the Montero SUV where Siman was found dead sported a Malacanang Palace decal, proof that he has access at the Office of the President.

The Laguna Province Small Town Lottery franchise holder Ramloid Gaming Corp is owned by Don Ramon Preza of Tiaong, Quezon. That of Quezon Province STL is exclusive to Pirouette Gaming Corporation owned by Dona Rosario “Charing” Lee Magbuhos de los Santos and because of failing health is now operated by Eddie “Kabayo” Gonzalez.

stories in my head, part seventeen

Ang Magkatunggali sa 2016

BREAKING UP, PART THREE

Scheming Old Man

Willie Enverga, the grand patriarch of the Enverga dynasty tried to pass one over the Alcalas. But his gambit was seen early on by the Alcalas and the old man is fidgety right now and is bent on breaking his alliance with the former.

The ploy of the wheelchair bound former governor is to get the assurance of the Alcalas that no one shall oppose his son Mark in his quest for his last and third term. Having beaten the former Secretary of Justice, Agnes Devanadera, the father and son believe that no viable candidate has the logistics like Agnes that can pose any challenge with the reelectionist congressman of the first district.

stories in my head, part sixteen

ROORBACK 

“No Person other than a Rider may use a whip on a horse, or otherwise strike it in any way, while it is under the control of the Starter before and during the start of any race… The Starter is there to ensure that each race begins on time and as fairly as possible, with each horse and rider given the greatest possible opportunity to perform well.” British Horse Racing Authority, Rules of Racing

“No Rules Barred”

Talaga Dynasty of Lucena City, “Bawasi!”

It is election season alright, but we are still at a distance to the starting line. The Comelec has rued that, unlike horse racing, it is powerless to crack the whip on members of one family running simultaneously in the coming elections in the absence of an anti-dynasty ban law; and it could not stop the early campaigners because while there is Fair Elections Act, the Supreme Court has not found anything wrong in premature campaigns.

stories in my head, part fifteen

"Tuloy ang Hanapbuhay natin sa Port Irene, Darling!"

THE TESTOSTERONE OF JPE

At 89, JPE is still in his elements: fighting some fights of his life. We have grown familiar with the man. For 46 years and counting he graces and continues to dominate the front pages and morning and evening newscasts. His adrenal gland remains autonomous, pumping the needed epinephrine in the midst of a constant brawl. He is our own Aaron Burr.

Never mind his tiff with MDS or Sonny Trillanes. We understand with Miriam because she’s the female JPE, also in constant flux with conflict. She needs it like a burst capillary thematic of her sanguine style of public service. With Trillanes, the guy just simply doesn’t kiss ass like Gringo Honasan and Ping Lacson. He too is the soldiers’ sui generis. We have enough of independent republics in the Senate. Comes presidential election season, they each act presidential.

stories in my head, part fourteen

"Sundalong Bahao"

SUNDALONG KANIN

Kababata ko si Menandro Tanteo.

Bag-as ang pangangatawan at maguilas kung kumilos. Sa aming mga larong kinaguiliwan, katulad ng Tubigan, Bimbiw at King Can lagui siyang nagwawagui. Subalit madalas na kapag Baril-barilan ang aming nilalaro, pinipili niya ang papel na sundalo. Sa isang pagkakataon na kami’y nag-ipon-ipon sa kanto ni Tatang Gavino, agad niyang iminungkahing Baril-barilan ang aming lalaruin. Kami’y nagtaka ng bigla siyang nawala nang kami’y magkanyakanya ng kumuha ng mga kahoy o sangang huguis baril o pistolang kuarenta-y-singko.

‘Di nalaunan siya’y humaguibis na dumating at may kandong kandong na ripleng kahoy na huguis Armalite.

stories in my head, part thirteen

Kuya Wayu at si Batch

GASGAS SA TUHOD

Alas siete ng umaga ng sabihin ni Patricia na tumuloy ako sa Filinvest-Alabang. Naruon daw sila ng kanyang kapatid na si Gino kasama ang kanyang maybahay na si Sugar at ang kanilang panganay na anak na si Mayo. Pumarada raw sila malapit sa Manong, ang dating Dencio’s.

Mula sa Putatan binagtas ko ang lumang Highway. Limampung taon na ang nakalipas, naaala ko na sa kalyeng ito kami bumabagtas ng aking ama paluwas ng Maynila patungong Quiapo kapag BLTB ang aming sinasakyan. Ngayon, masikip na ang lansangang ito.

stories in my head, part twelve

TABI SA KALULUWA

Madalas sabihin ito ang aking Inang Matanda kapag may paglalarawang may katangian sa isang hayop ang taong paksa ng kanilang usapan. ‘Ika niya, “tabi naman sa kaluluwa, ay kung makatingin ay parang alimuranin….tabi sa kaluluwa, ay pasal na pasal na parang bulao na hindi nabahugan ng ilang arao…tabi sa kaluluwa’y kung lumambitin parang bulog sa baguin”

Marahil sa sina-unang pananaw, ang kaluluwa at pisikal na katawan ay magkahiwalay at kung ano man ang sala ng katawan ay walang kinalaman ang kaluluwa. O ma-aaring sumbatan man ang may katawan, ang husga sa kaluluwa ay hindi dapat paki-alaman dahil sa paniniwala’y may sariling hukuman ito.

stories in my head, partly

SUBTLY CASHING IN

Anecdotal evidence has it that there is one family in the media particularly in print and broadcast journalism that has made a career in shakedown journalism. The members of this tough guy family drive around in high-end vehicles and even publish (or announce) their property acquisitions (in their column of radio/TV programs) as if taunting the taxman herself.

Those who have dealt with them of were erstwhile prey attest that there appears to be a script followed to the letter by the siblings.

stories in my head, part eleven

STOOGE

GMA and the Man from Oragon Country

Before he plunged into politics, Edcel Lagman was an excellent litigator. His old law firm was the Romero Lagman Chato Torres and Pasamba which held fort at the old Rada Building in Legaspi Village.

Mike Romero of Lakas ng Demokratikong Pilipino and former representative of Negros was a partner. Willy Chato, the better half of Liwayway Chato; Ruben Torres of Zambales and former Labor Secretary; and Ely Pasamba of Quezon Sangguniang Panlalawigan, were his partners.

stories in my head, part ten

ang babae sa likod ng jeep

“BUENDIA” pa rin ang nakapaskil sa Bus na patungong Gil Puyat Avenue sa Makati. Matagal na ring bago ang pangalan ng mahabang lansangan. Bakit kaya ayaw nating kalimutan ang mga naka-ukit sa ating kinagawian? South Super Highway pa rin ang tawag natin sa kalyeng humahati sa Buendia bago dumating ng riles ng PNR. Gan’un din ang Lawton at Azcarraga at Forbes.

Kahapo’y naringgan ko ang MAPSAng si del Mundo na tinawag na Culi-Culi ang Evangelista. Malalim nga ‘ata ang liluk sa ating ala-ala ng mga lugar na ating nakagawian na o baka naman ayaw nating may maki-alam sa mga sulok-sulok ng mga silid ng ating ulo? Marahan ang batak ng aking sasakyan patungong Ayala.

stories in my head, part nine

A VICE GOVERNOR’S DEADEND

Vice Governor Kulit Alcala and John Tumbas Manipis Bello

Reflected glory is all the vice governor has, observed the former mayor of Sampaloc, Agnes Devanadera. She was describing the stature of Robert Racelis, belittling in fact, when he vied for the Governorship ten years ago, pitting himself against his former patron, the owner of Enverga University where Robert taught Law and Theatre.

In that electoral contest, five provincial heavyweights awash with cash squared off in the gubernatorial contest. One of them was the now Solicitor General soliciting the office of a Supreme Court Justice. She gave Willie Enverga a hell of a fight, battering the latter in his own hometown Mauban.

stories in my head, part eight

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BENCH NOMINEE

It was a quite day in the office. With only his secretary pounding on her keypad when the landline rang. He thought it was one of those clients penny-pinching on his e-load.

The guy on the other line was a former undersecretary of a government agency and having got wind of his application in the Judicial and Bar Council as regional trial court judge in the outskirts of Manila, called him up to relay some good news.

“This is good news, pare, the city mayor called me up to ask if I knew you. Apparently the other two aspirants are hotshots both and by appointing either of them is knotty. So the mayor wants to meet you and introduce you to his padrino.”

stories in my head, part seven

I AM MANOLO LOPEZ

His driver now takes the initiative of opening his door once the Volvo stops to dislodge him. From the darkened rear of his top-of-the-line car, by Manila standards, he could see the sharp silhouettes of his Pillars of Makati, the well-appointed Rockwell.

From across the Pasig River, he covets the 5-hectare detritus that was once the mighty Noah’s Ark Sugar Refinery. The family dreams of connecting Rockwell with Noah’s Ark and transform it into a theme park. A private bridge between Makati and Mandaluyong is a perfect landmark. How much is it is for Meralco to take care of. But there was that pestering calls from the bagmen of the two mayors asking for earnest money to smoothen the ground breaking of the new metropolitan landmark.

stories in my head, part twenty six

LA PAMPAGUENA

Sedated, and before he lapsed into induced coma, Ferdinand Marcos ordered the Sikorsky pilot to bring him to Paoay. His genius told him that with him in his hometown he is assured of an iron vault fortification.

The vaunted Ilocano allegiance comes into play and the dictator can buy his time. With him ensconced in the Malacanang of the North, he knew that he can bring with him his New Society government and perhaps bargain with the new Yellow leadership.

The haggle may of course take the form of immunity or swift compromise on ill-gotten wealth where a substantial piece of it is retained by his family for his peace of mind. He didn’t have to worry whether Bonget has his source of livelihood into the future.

stories in my head, part twenty seven

IT'S THE DYNASTIES, STUPID!

The consequent condemnations of the 57 deaths were furious and unforgiving. Even the government’s reaction was swift in its objective of corralling all at once the perpetrators to satisfy public outcry.

There has to be some catharsis in the massacre most foul. By declaring state of emergency over Maguindanao that ripened into full-blown martial rule in a matter of days from November 23 when the mass killing was committed, the government projected resolve in approaching the manmade tragedy. Never in recent history have we witnessed such brutal butchery of political foes at one fell swoop.

MACDUFF: [on hearing that his family and servants have all been killed]

All my pretty ones?

Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?

What, all my pretty chickens and their dam

At one fell swoop? (Macbeth, 1605)

stories in my head, part twenty eight

just deserts in her MEMOIRS

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo no doubt ranks as one of the most vilified Presidents of this country. Surveys after surveys gave her the lowest estimation measure as an unpopular leader well into the end of her term. But her negative image does not surprise her because all her predecessors, except Ramon Magsaysay, suffered the same fate. Filipinos have made the blame game as their national sport. Someone has to take the flak of our collective misery or we go crazy.

Her father Diosdado Macapagal was hounded by allegations of incompetence or lack of leadership in his failure to prosecute Harry Stonehill, an American industrialist within the mold of present day taipans except the existence of the businessman’s bluebook with a list of all government hotshots in Malacanang, Congress, the Courts and the Armed Forces all under his payroll. She knew what happened to the dying days of Elpidio Quirino’s presidency or Carlos Garcia’s or Cory’s or FVR’s and of course her immediate predecessor, Erap Estrada who suffered the ignominy of having his mug shot and flashed on CNN and BBC and spent six years in detention. Ten years in power earned her thousands of malcontents raring to get even once she is out of Malacanang. The idea of sleeping on the “crib” reserved by Erap for her in Tanay repulses her.

stories in my head, part six

You can’t remember sex. You can remember the fact of it, and recall the setting, and even the details, but the sex of the sex cannot be remembered, the substantive truth of it, it is by nature self-erasing, you can remember its anatomy and be left with a judgment as to the degree of your liking of it, but whatever it is as a splurge of being, as a loss, as a charge of the conviction of love stopping your heart like your execution, there is no memory of it in the brain, only the deduction that it happened and that time passed, leaving you with a silhouette that you want to fill in again. (E.L. Doctorow)

PUBLIC BEDROOM

What made the cosmetic surgeon’s and the budding actress’ affair nonpareil was its currency with the use of instant computer propagation.

Spreading like wildfire, the rumor was soon validated by the crisp copies of the acts that made all of us privy to the architectural configuration of the couple’s bedroom.

Familiarity with the bed, the furniture, the crumpled bedding and their color, the texture of the light, what looks like a closet’s door ajar enabling a concealed camera its concentrated dedication, and of course the familiar mute fixture, the wall air-conditioning unit on the upper right side of the partition, brought us inside the skin of the dramatis personae. Not only were we taken within the inner sanctum, they allowed us to eavesdrop to their groans and passionate carnal conversations.

stories in my head, part twenty nine "DEATH BE NOT PROUD"

Death be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,

For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow,

Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,

Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,

And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,

Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.

Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,

And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,

And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,

And better then thy stroake; why swell’st thou then?

One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,

And death shall be no more, death, thou shalt die (John Donne)

A DEATH ANNIVERSARY

On May 17, 2011, we observe the first death anniversary of the late governor, RPN. At 2:15 pm of that date, he died along with four others in a fiery chopper crash in the campus of Quezon National Provincial High School in Barangay Iyam, Lucena City. His death puts an end to an otherwise colorful and meteoric political career of an outsider in local politics in Quezon. At the same time his death was shrouded with mystery as it came from the heels of spectacular poll defeat amid concerns of unprecedented vote buying and black propaganda.