"You cannot fight city hall but you can change the people who run it."
"You cannot fight city hall but you can change the people who run it."
Like the perennial absentee in the House, Rep. Amanda Christina Bagatsing was a no-show at the Saint Anthony Parish Church in San Andres for the debate with her fifth-district congressional opponent Ali Atienza.
It was a scheduled event organized by the parish and both parties were informed of the time and place. Ali Arienza arrived but Crystal Bagatsing was a no-show without even informing the organizers she won’t be able to come. This is inexcusable if not a lack of elementary courtesy. Was she afraid she won’t be able to handle questions and issues in the debate such as the restoration of the death penalty, the use of marijuana for medical purpose, divorce and same-sex marriage? These are core issues close to the Church and the parishioners who wanted to know where their candidates stand.
For the record, Rep. Bagatsing voted for the restoration of capital punishment, marijuana for medical use, divorce and same-sex marriage. She in fact authored and sponsored the House measure on same-sex marriage. Hmm.
Why is Crystal Bagating bullish on same-sex marriage? Pope Francis has spoken out against all four controversial concerns. Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza was the lone voice in the House who opposed these measures but was swept aside by the super majority in the lower chamber. President Rodrigo Duterte, however, had the good sense to veto these House proposals.
Political debates are a basic and fundamental component of a free and democratic process leading up to election for voters to make intelligent assessment of the candidates. Ali Atienza came prepared to exchange views with Crystal Bagatsing, but apparently she was not. Ali comes from a political family of good stock and his mentor father former Manila mayor and Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito, taught his son all about integrity and honesty in public service. In his two terms as Buhay Party congressman, Lito has never been absent. He takes active part in all debates on important House measures.
Ali Atienza is an Asian Games gold medalist in taekwondo and has the discipline to win in sports and also in the arena of politics and as a public servant. Training hard for his battle, Ali defeated his South Korean opponent. This was quite a feat because the South Korean went on to win the Olympic gold meal in the same event the following year.
Crystal Bagatsing, on the other hand, is notable as an absentee in the House and Fifth District residents want to get more for their money—P600,000 a month to be exact plus other perks. Incumbent first-termer Bagatsing could lose her seat to Ali Atienza given her dismal performance in Congress.
Why am I absorbed in fifth-district politics? I was formerly a resident of Malate, which is part of the district until I was driven out to Makati by the rising crime rate and filth from uncollected garbage.
Hopefully, the May 13 midterm elections will see a change in leadership in Manila. It’s a shame to see the deterioration of the nation’s capital because of mismanagement at city hall. It is said you cannot fight city hall but you can change the people who run it.
We can start with our own respective districts and then take it all the way up. We deserve better than the entertainers and celebrities who get elected by singing and dancing their way to public office. The CNN public debate among the senatorial candidates was an indicator for voters to tell the buffoons from those fit to hold public office.
