Polibiz

'Let's plant Pichay in the Senate'
By Nelson C. Robles
Surigao del Norte congressman Prospero "Butch" Pichay is considered among the most articulate senatorial candidates in the administration's Team Unity Party.

His live interview and appearance in the local media had created a lasting positive impression in general with the way he carries local and national issues affecting the political situation both in the city and province of Iloilo .

Pressured to react on the recent infamous January 17, 2007 capitol siege, Pichay handled the issue in a very diplomatic manner making sure he was not trying to offend both concerned parties by praising one while being hostile to the other.

He focused more on the manner of the implementation; abhorring the act in the highest degree of condemnation. Pichay himself was never happy of the incident.

At the height of the Capitol assault carried by members of the Philippine National Police as seen worldwide in television screens, left a lasting negative impression on our police force depicting them as tormentors and aggressors instead of protectors.

For awhile Pichay kept mum, and was trying to evade the issues so not to antagonize those key players believed to have a hand in the Capitol assault.

But, in his recent sortie back to Iloilo, last Sunday, Pichay eventually faced the "monster eye to eye" without a blink and he did it with flying colors.

On the issues about his colleagues being brutally attacked by some critics, Pichay was quick to defend in their behalf.

When Gov. Chavit Singson, known to be a gambling lord and was perceived a corrupt official for being such -- that running for a senatorial position was inappropriate, Pichay outright defended Chavit fair and square.

"Gambling is a moral issue and far different from graft and corruption. Let the electorate decide. Who are we to judge him," said Pichay in return.

When Cesar Montano, the actor, decided to run and joined the administration slate, Pichay was also vocal on his perception with the former.

"I am not against an actor running under our slate per se. I found Cesar decent and sincere in his motive, so I have nothing against him joining in our team," revealed Pichay. "And besides Cesar is an intellectual person and easy to get along with," added Pichay.

In Boracay, the anti-Mike Defensor campaign issue which was brought to the attention of Pichay has also affected him indirectly. He however, believes Mike could handle well the situation and was determine to bring out the matter with him.

In a live television program held last Sunday, at Salvatore Coffee Shop, Sarabia Manor Hotel, Pichay also held his ground when pressed to react after a panelist read a news write-up considering our country as the most corrupt in Asia .

Pichay replied without being defensive, that the survey was based more on a matter of perception sans actual facts and figures.

"I don't blame this private entity doing the survey. Can you imagine their senatorial candidates obsessed to seek endorsement from a former president of the Republic of the Philippines currently jailed because of graft and corruption? Of course the public in general might think that those who seek endorsement from former Pres. Joseph Estrada are themselves perceived the same. So, where is delicadeza in there," asked Pichay in defense.

On Acting Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez who has been rejected by the Committee on Appointments several times, Pichay believed Raul was a competent person.
Pichay has shown the kind of stuff he is made of once he is in the Senate. It could have been a big blunder if not a "heinous crime" would the intellectual voters (modesty aside), like you and me, would we fail to support him in pursuit of our dreams for our children and our children's children.

On several times, he was transparent in criticizing constructively some acts attributed to Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo whom he believes are counter-productive to the Filipino people in general and to our country as well, in particular.

Pichay is his own man. In the Hall of Congress he was a terror particularly for those whose only motives is to sow nothing but confusion.

If only for these reasons alone, we need something fresh for better nourishment, and a good start in the coming years for the future generations.

Let us plant "Pichay" in the Senate!

(www.thenewstoday.info)