We missed other Iloilo solons in quad-committee hearings

By Alex P. Vidal

“All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.”—Calvin Coolidge

MORE neophyte lawmakers in the House of Representatives are gaining national prominence and attention because of their impressive performances in various committee investigations conducted these past weeks, including the ongoing high-strung quad-committee hearings.

Public interest on these House committee hubbubs has skyrocketed and reached the level of “viral” madness as a result of the considerable chunks of media mileage poured into them.

The House quad-committee hearings weren’t only star-studded, they were also pointblank, compact, laden with melodrama, suspense, comedy, mediocrity, scandal, and breathtaking elements of surprise.

The quad-committee hearings, with all its patina, luster and publicity, were rich sources of positive exposure, name recall and adulation for the solons from their constituents monitoring the event if they were outstanding in their participation and during the Q and A.

Among the Iloilo solons, however, only Iloilo first district Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Danniel Abellar Manuel, and, initially Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, have been seen and monitored in the mainstream and the social media chipping in the yeoman’s tasks necessary to add spark and brimstone into the proceedings.

It should have been their golden chance to be known nationwide and to show to all and sundry their mettle and prowess in public service, but where were the other Iloilo solons?

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LIKE most Filipinos, many Ilonggos have been waiting on tenterhooks for the male accused or male wanted persons to be presented next in the media after their arrest now that the all-female Pogo triumvirate composed of Alice Guo, Sheila Guo, Cassandra Li Ong has fallen after fleeing from the Philippines more than a month ago.

And people want to see next the police mugshots of Apollo Quiboloy, Arnulfo Teves, Gerard Bantag, among other testosterone fugitives.

The alleged crimes—ties in Chinese crime rings—of the three lady detainees are peanuts compared to the crimes allegedly committed by the pastor, the ousted congressman, and the ousted New Bilibid Prison boss.

At first, authorities looked like heroes when they were able to recover the three ladies with the help of their counterparts in Indonesia and other countries amid the “selfie” imbroglio.

But, as news about Alice the Wonderland and her two cohorts simmered down, it dawned upon the people that it didn’t look good for the Philippine authorities to have expedited the arrest of the three ladies while nothing has happened in their quest to nab Quiboloy, Teves (he is now in Timor-Leste and is expected to be expedited soon), and Bantag.

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I received the following email from New York Governor Kathy Hochul who also sent it to other New Yorkers:

Alex, Millions of New York kids are heading back to school this week. As the school year begins, I wanted to take a moment to talk to our young people — and their teachers and parents, too — about the year ahead.

To all the students: Make the most of this year. Work hard, make incredible memories, and know that your teachers, your loved ones, and yes, even your governor, are here to support you every step of the way.

To all the teachers: Thank you for all you do to support our young people. I was inspired to enter government thanks to my eighth-grade teacher, and I firmly believe that teachers have the power to make a difference in their students’ lives!

And to all the parents: Amidst the hustle and bustle of the start of the year, take a moment to reflect on this moment. As a mom to adult children, I know that they grow up too fast.

I know a thing or two about being a kid in New York and being a mom in New York. Watch our “Ask the Gov” lightning round to hear about some of my favorite school memories — and to hear some advice as the school year begins.

Back-to-school also means new backpacks and supplies. Those costs add up for parents. And we’re giving them relief. This summer, parents across New York started getting checks in the mail to help pay for school supplies and other expenses.

I got to join a family during their back-to-school shopping to see how our supplemental Empire Child Credit is helping them.

As governor, I want to make sure we’re taking action to give students the best year possible — and that means making sure kids are supported inside and outside the classroom. On top of historic investments to support schools and help kids learn to read, we’re supporting students’ mental health by standing up to the addictive algorithms and technologies that distract our kids and hurt their mental wellbeing.

Whether you’re sending kids off to school, you’re heading back to the classroom yourself, or you’re simply invested in making sure the next generation is supported as they navigate the world, know that we’re going to keep working hard to make sure our students have the tools they need to succeed.

Ever Upward, Gov. Kathy Hochul

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