The Pangasinan Star ONLINE

AFTER ALL
Behn Fer. Hortaleza, Jr.


HEARD the attractive city attorney Geraldine B. on radio sometime last week apparently trying to wiggle out of a question on the controversial “diverted” diversion road in Lucao. Failing, she eventually admitted making initial legal studies on the culpability of the DPWH for the unilaterally extended road project. We just caught the tailend of her answers to the anchorman’s question, something like while the project is funded by the national government, it is still local territory (Dagupan’s) that’s involved and so the city is within its right to take action.

As everyone knows by now, City Mayor Benjie Lim has opposed the “change in plans” executed by DPWH that would now have the roadline (actually part of the “circumferential road” dream project of House Speaker Joe DV and even BSL himself), passing through the back of the CSI crown area, the City Mall, instead of out somewhere through the Nel Ars subdivision and connecting to the de Venecia highway.

Again, lawyer Geraldine finds herself thrust in a big case that would probably be a precedent in national government-local government relations. She it was, remember, who started the heat on Napocor, and later, Mirant Philippines, for the payment of discontinued real property taxes during her time as provincial legal officer, forcing the giant corporation to the negotiating table and eventually – ironically, after she had left her post in the Capitol – paying up millions in accumulated dues to the provincial government early this year.

If this battle were to proceed, as loudly vowed by Mayor BSL, despite a seeming rebuff of him – or his stand – by JDV no less when the Speaker bluntly said over the weekend he sees nothing wrong with the revision because the project is for the people, it could either make or unmake the King of Magic. On the surface, what BSL is fighting against is the penchant of government functionaries to use more, instead of less, money to do a project. But critics can’t help seeing some personal agenda behind the opposition as CSI is a known commercial rival of Magic, the Lim family’s supermarket and mall chain.

Those who scoff at Benjie’s move however should watch out; having apparently fallen from grace in Malacanang for his position during the GMA impeachment case, he has nothing more to lose. He will go for broke on this one.

That is, unless he will fall (for the second time only, we believe) for the de Venecia charm again. Remember the first time when a BSL, in near-tears, was talked out of running for congressman anew by JDV, paving the way for his candidacy for the mayoralty post instead?

Watching Atty.Geraldine B’s next moves will indicate whether BSL has decided to finally cross his Rubicon.