30 May 2010
AFTER ALL/ Facebook: Losers' last refuge
By BEHN FER. HORTALEZA, JR.
I DON'T know that the ordinary folk out there, okay, ordinary Dagupenos, let's say, would have the time or the inclination to be doing Facebook or Twitter comments for newly-elected officials, giving their unsolicited advice this early even before the honorables-elect assume their offices. I mean it would be much more believable for the hoi poloi to be calling up radio stations to air their suggestions or comments or vocally airing their views in the streets or roadside sari-sari stores than go thru these new hi-tech innovations at communication just to give a piece of their mind.
That is why those so-called Facebook comments being quoted from the internet and aired over radio can be called the overextended handiwork of losing candidates' text brigades who cannot shake off their habit and the job they know best -- sowing discord and black propaganda in the guise of constructive advice..
While one may grant that those Facebook comments addressed to incoming Dagupan mayor Benjie S. Lim could be paid some attention to, they generally (if subtly) try to embody the very issues and propaganda stuff that the losing camp had raised against him in the campaign trail. An ordinary citizen, too caught up in earning a daily living, cannot possibly have the time to do Facebook and twitter as I said upfront. Only hi-tech vested interests can and do, the kind that misreperesents the majority of Dagupenos
Take for example the issue on vendors at the Malimgas aired by one poster appealing to BSL not to touch them so they "could earn a living." Any way one looks at it, that's pre-empting the mayor's prerogative to clean the city up and in a way, goading him to adopt status quo -- which as you and I know is the very reason for the dirty and untidy markets that the outgoing administration had been largely disliked and condemned for.during its watch at City Hall. Conversely it was one of the prime reasons they voted for Lim hoping to give the city a breath of cleaner air and fresher surroundings.
* * * *
It will just be a matter of time before allegiances are exchanged for political conveniences by politicians, especially the Lakas-Kampi variety. In Pangasinan, most of the elected congressmen with the exception of Kimi Cojuangco of the fifth district and Gina de Venecia who are NPC (Nationalist People's Coalition ran and won as Lakas-Kampi boys and girls. These are Boying Celeste, firstdistrict; Pol Bataoil, second; Rachel Arenas, third; and Marlyn Agabas, sixth.
It may be good for their principles to remain with the party, but certainly it will be bad, very bad, for their projects should they choose to stick to it. Something's got to give sometime. This choice may be particularly bitter for Ms.Arenas, the favorite traveling companion of Ms Gloria A in trips abroad, who now stands to be outside of the Aquino inner circle, as people's fortune go.As for the other three, being first-timers, they can switch parties anytime and feel less guilty about the somersault, not having had many favors asked and thus not many favors received from benevolent Malacanang, the wellspring of funds.
But trust women to be more creative at finding highways and byways to the center of power anytime. The big game in town now for those who do not belong is finding the gatekeeper(s) and trying to into his (their) good graces so that doors will swing open. That should be kid's play for Baby's baby who'd done it once before, leaving a broken-hearted Joe and a scorned Gina..
I DON'T know that the ordinary folk out there, okay, ordinary Dagupenos, let's say, would have the time or the inclination to be doing Facebook or Twitter comments for newly-elected officials, giving their unsolicited advice this early even before the honorables-elect assume their offices. I mean it would be much more believable for the hoi poloi to be calling up radio stations to air their suggestions or comments or vocally airing their views in the streets or roadside sari-sari stores than go thru these new hi-tech innovations at communication just to give a piece of their mind.
That is why those so-called Facebook comments being quoted from the internet and aired over radio can be called the overextended handiwork of losing candidates' text brigades who cannot shake off their habit and the job they know best -- sowing discord and black propaganda in the guise of constructive advice..
While one may grant that those Facebook comments addressed to incoming Dagupan mayor Benjie S. Lim could be paid some attention to, they generally (if subtly) try to embody the very issues and propaganda stuff that the losing camp had raised against him in the campaign trail. An ordinary citizen, too caught up in earning a daily living, cannot possibly have the time to do Facebook and twitter as I said upfront. Only hi-tech vested interests can and do, the kind that misreperesents the majority of Dagupenos
Take for example the issue on vendors at the Malimgas aired by one poster appealing to BSL not to touch them so they "could earn a living." Any way one looks at it, that's pre-empting the mayor's prerogative to clean the city up and in a way, goading him to adopt status quo -- which as you and I know is the very reason for the dirty and untidy markets that the outgoing administration had been largely disliked and condemned for.during its watch at City Hall. Conversely it was one of the prime reasons they voted for Lim hoping to give the city a breath of cleaner air and fresher surroundings.
* * * *
It will just be a matter of time before allegiances are exchanged for political conveniences by politicians, especially the Lakas-Kampi variety. In Pangasinan, most of the elected congressmen with the exception of Kimi Cojuangco of the fifth district and Gina de Venecia who are NPC (Nationalist People's Coalition ran and won as Lakas-Kampi boys and girls. These are Boying Celeste, firstdistrict; Pol Bataoil, second; Rachel Arenas, third; and Marlyn Agabas, sixth.
It may be good for their principles to remain with the party, but certainly it will be bad, very bad, for their projects should they choose to stick to it. Something's got to give sometime. This choice may be particularly bitter for Ms.Arenas, the favorite traveling companion of Ms Gloria A in trips abroad, who now stands to be outside of the Aquino inner circle, as people's fortune go.As for the other three, being first-timers, they can switch parties anytime and feel less guilty about the somersault, not having had many favors asked and thus not many favors received from benevolent Malacanang, the wellspring of funds.
But trust women to be more creative at finding highways and byways to the center of power anytime. The big game in town now for those who do not belong is finding the gatekeeper(s) and trying to into his (their) good graces so that doors will swing open. That should be kid's play for Baby's baby who'd done it once before, leaving a broken-hearted Joe and a scorned Gina..
Labels: Benjie Lim, BSL, Facebook, Rachel Arenas
