Treñas’ big risk

By Alex P. Vidal

“Living with fear stops us taking risks, and if you don’t go out on the branch, you’re never going to get the best fruit.”—Sarah Parish

ILOILO City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas has made a big political risk when he asked Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio to resign as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary for attending a rally and reportedly laughing while her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, insulted President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The city mayor was aware that if Mrs. Duterte-Carpio would run and win for president in 2028, he would again be “outside the kulambo” politically (original translation is someone who had been ordered by his wife not to sleep beside her on the bed because he has offended her on something).

But the Ilonggo city leader didn’t give a hoot. He probably believed the Marcoses would reign supreme politically beyond 2028 and his public admonishment of the vice president was a worthy political investment.

Treñas, who was joined by Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez in the call for Mrs. Duterte-Carpio’s resignation, also probably thought it was improper for the vice president to ride on two horses at the same time, so to speak, thus it’s time to cut and cut clean.

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Treñas has been known to be confrontational and frank with personalities and issues he tackled as city mayor. He minced no words when defending his stand on various controversies including offending high-ranking appointed government officials he didn’t like.

If she couldn’t defend the president who was being maligned, the vice president has no business to continue being part of the cabinet, the city mayor must be thinking.

Treñas lamented: “Full loyalty to the president is a must for a cabinet secretary. Attendance at rallies where the president is maligned is against simple decorum. Resignation is the clear recourse in such cases.”

He and Benitez were actually reechoing the wrath of First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos who had earlier released a more forceful rebuke of the 45-year-old Duterte-Carpio in an interview with Manila broadcaster Anthony Taberna.

The first lady had bewailed: “I was always kind to her. I feel betrayed. My husband has always been protective; we ran on the same ticket. Laughing at a rally where your president is disparaged is just wrong. Even Leni Robredo never behaved in such a manner.”

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HAPPINESS DRINK. A study involving more than 1,000 Japanese people age 70 or over found that those who drank at least four cups of green tea a day enjoyed better moods than those drinking a cup or less. The uplifting ingredient is theanine, the researchers believe.

ROAD TO FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH. Balance diet. Green tea. Vitamin D and fish oil. Good sleep. Laugh regularly (it is “the best medicine”). Control the temper (avoid getting mad, if necessary). Smile a lot. Daily exercise (walking is best and most natural).

THE SUN IS OUR SKIN’S NO. 1 ENEMY. We should always make sun protection a priority. Let us use a sunscreen formulated for our skin along with our moisturizer. Much of the evidence of aging; rough skin, wrinkles, age spots, etc. are really the result of too much sun.

ALARM CLOCK. Let us create precious time for ourselves by setting the alarm clock 30 minutes earlier than usual. Begin rituals for ourselves that will become as important to us as breathing. If we really don’t think that we have enough time during the day, let’s take it from the minutes wasted on phone calls, shopping, or mindless TV surfing.

ROAD TO FOUNTAIN OF MAYHEM. Eat a lot. Smoke a lot. Drink liquor excessively. Always display a frown face (better an ugly face than a caliginous face). Don’t exercise. Think negatively. Sleep at past midnight and wake up early. Interpret the Bible literally (this can lead to a serious neurosis).

ROAD TO FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH. Balance diet. Green tea. Vitamin D and fish oil. Good sleep. Laugh regularly (it is “the best medicine”). Control the temper (avoid getting mad). Smile a lot. Daily exercise (walking is the best and most natural).

MULTIPLE PARTNERS. Sixty seven percent of women don’t want a partner who has already had lots of partners. (Petra)

EXISTENCE OF GOD. What facts will prove the existence of God? Theist’s proof: It is stated in the Bible. Atheist’s reply: Not all statements in the Bible are true. Theist’s proof: It experiences God in a vision. Atheist’s reply: Mere hallucinations, doesn’t prove anything.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)