by Joey Mirasol - Dec 22, 2015
PALECO romantics want to call the
Board upheaval earlier this week a coup d’état, but it actually was nothing but
an illegitimate power-grab by a pretender to the throne, perhaps at the behest
of that unscrupulous IPP, DMCI Power. That recent snap election
instigated by Jeffrey Tan-Endriga, which resulted in his emergence as the
Chairman by sheer luck of a tossed coin, reeks of foul motives and duplicity.
The justification for that motion to
declare the position of Chairman as vacant instigated by Tan-Endriga was the
unauthorized signing of a MOA by former Chairman Acosta with the Pagibig Fund,
something that would benefit the employees of Paleco, which by itself was no
big deal and above-board, except for that missing Board authority. But
the real reason may have been Acosta’s signing of Delta P’s PSA, which earned
the ire of DMCI Power, whose pending “Supplemental” PSA was not signed by
Acosta because it contained a provision that condoned and forgave DMCI’s
contract violations and attendant penalties. It is well-known that
Tan-Endriga champions DMCI’s cause at the Paleco Board, particularly that
controversial “Supplemental” PSA. And lo and behold, the day after the
mutiny, the DMCI proposal was approved, without the condonation, we hope.
Let’s first get to know Tan-Endriga,
who I earlier absolved of fault after GM Zambales’ defense of his candidacy for
Director of the Rizal-Quezon district. It has come to light that Tony
Cabrestante has filed a verified complaint questioning the legitimacy of
Tan-Endriga’s election to the Board because of his academic
qualifications. It appears from the evidence submitted by Cabrestante
that Endriga-Tan is not a graduate of a 4-year BS degree as required by Paleco
and NEA regulations. He is a graduate, although not yet as of the time he
filed his candidacy and was elected, of an executive degree program from the
University of Makati, some type of program designed for those who failed to
study during their younger years, particularly for elected lgu officials who
want a degree to enhance their curriculum vitae. This is not the same as
four years of drudgery spent in college, where even seminars are credited as
classroom time. But even granting that this type of degree qualifies as a
four-year BS course, was Tan-Endriga already a graduate when he filed his
candidacy and won? It now appears that he lied on his application, which
are grounds for his dismissal as a Director of Paleco.
The next issue is the legitimacy of
his assumption of the Chairman’s position. The by-laws of Paleco state
that the officers and directors of the Board shall serve in their positions for
one year, unless decreed otherwise by a MAJORITY of the Board. The
results of the secret balloting among the nine directors was 4 for Acosta, 4
for Tan-Endriga and 1 for Arzaga. The tie-vote’s winner was decided by a
tossed coin! Is this what one can consider to be a majority decision of
the Board? A tie is not a majority, and the coin is not a member of the
Board that can cast a vote. C’mon… how did this get past that august
body, if they are to be considered as such?
Because of the above, it now becomes
academic that the result of the snap election is illegal, and any acts of that
Chairman can be deemed illegal and without credence or value. What a sad
state of affairs for our Cooperative. Maybe it is time to privatize that
God-forsaken entity to get rid of all the frustrations and disappointments
suffered by its owner-member-consumers. After all, a private entity with
a profit motive may provide quality service better than a cooperative with an
entrenched, callous, and self-serving board of directors.
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And we learned that our suggestion
to open the board meetings to observers from media and the member-owners was
shot down unceremoniously by the Board. And why is that? Do these
directors have hidden agendas that they don’t want the public to know of?
Or are they ashamed that their actuations and demeanor during these meetings
could subject them to public ridicule because of their inanity and
self-interests? Children, may I advise you that keeping your meetings
secret does not give you an aura of superiority and importance; on the
contrary, it only projects yourselves as timid and afraid to be found out as
idiots. So there, better reconsider that decision, if you want to gain
the respect of your constituents and the public. I for one can only
surmise that there is evil lurking behind those closed doors, not that you care
or are sensitive to public opinion…
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As expected, Mayor Bayron failed to
respond to the DILG’s letter asking for his comment to my complaint regarding
his misuse of City Government employees to act as his watchers and gofers
during the recount of ballots relative to the election protest case filed by
Edward Hagedorn. This anomaly not only involves these personnel; we are
almost sure that City funds were also used, not only for their salaries, but
also for their travel expenses while on assignment to Manila from the day the
ballot boxes were transported thereat, to the culmination of the recount
proceedings. If such was the case, then I am once again convinced that
Bayron is nothing but a corrupt cheapskate, using peoples’ money for his gain.
Why did I expect his silence?
Well, for one, what can he say to my accusation except “Duh…?” If he
pleads ignorance, that won’t cut it, the tenet being that ignorance of the law
excuses no one, even the morons. But Bayron knew what he did, and
continues doing so when it comes to politicking, was wrong, morally and
legally. Yet his true nature dictates that he be immune and be
autocratically exempt from such menial trivialities, thinking that they do not
apply to persons of import such as he. Such arrogance, from someone who
graduated from being a paid lackey of his brother-in-law, to one who bites the
hand that fed him.
Hauteur pa more, from a thug
aspiring to become a titan. Soon, after I get around to filing the case,
I will relate the kanto-boy actuations of our illustrious mayor against me
during recall election day at the San Pedro voting center, actions that speak
loud of a crook with a criminal mind.
But I digress… As I understand it,
DILG City Director Maranan is prepared to give Bayron another fifteen days to
respond to his directive. But I wonder if that determination will sit
well with SILG Mel Sarmiento, who has shown his no-nonsense attitude when it
comes to good governance. The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of
Public Officials does not consider second chances, so let’s see what DILG’s
Office of the Secretary will do. At the least, Bayron should be
reprimanded, and if possible, suspended or dismissed…
Then he can conduct his campaign
with his own money and resources, instead of City Hall’s.
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Next week is Christmas week, so
let’s be kind to the unfortunate, particularly those lacking the grace of our
Lord. Happy Christmas, dear brethren; may the Lord favor us with
blessings, even though undeserved…
