BACOLOD CITY — The world’s economic crunch is coming close to home. There is only one solution – let us produce our own food.

Gov. Isidro Zayco is leading the fight. Let’s follow him.

But the secret is let us go organic. It will be good for our health and will be less costly as we do away with the costly imported farm inputs and we will be using our own waste materials.

The war cry must be – Let us go organic!

In Manila the worry is the increasing cost of pork. Pork and meat, especially chicken meat, we have enough here. Governor Zayco and Dr. Renante Decena, salute to you.

* * *

The sugar coops are cheering but I sympathize with resigned BIR Commissioner Lilian Hefti. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said, the reason was health. Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said she failed to meet her target in tax collection. Another news said, she is facing a graft complaint. When she studied in Harvard a businessman facing a case at BIR allegedly paid for her studies.

She was here recently to talk with sugar coop leaders. She was hard-headed. And worse, she was arrogant. On the tax exemption, she was not for searching for a solution. She told the coop leaders, “Go to court.” Friends said, this Commissioner will not last. She cannot collect.

It is in our culture, the moment you quarrel with someone who owes you, his shame for your quarreling with him is now the payment. You cannot collect anymore.

* * *

In a meeting at the BIR office here, I recall, the naughty Manolet Lamata and Edgar Sarroza hatched a plan. They would have a hadsome, tall, rich planter to court the still single Hefti.

One naughty friend told Manolet, himself a mestizo, “Ikaw na lang. (“You only.”) Manolet refused, “My wife will kill me.”

I believe Lamata and Sarroza did not push through with the plan.

I sympathize with Director Galanto. The instructions given her by her boss Hefti were verbal.

* * *

I received two reactions to my item on insurance which actually was on the commentary of Vic Mercado on the miseries brought by pre-need companies to thousands of poor parents who saved money to pay pre-need companies for the future education of their children… only to be told later the companies became bankrupt.

One was from a British, Neil Honeyman, the other one from an American, Robert Strause. Texted Neil, “Insurance was first started in England some 300 years ago on the Latin principle of ‘Uberrisimi fides’ or utmost good faith.” He said my advice to readers is well taken. Strause said, he enjoyed my piece. He added, “Like you we do not have insurance.”

I was talking about life insurance. Non-life insurance is not different. Problem is you cannot register your vehicle without insurance. The secret is get the best, financially sound and reliable.

* * *

I talked with my lawyer Rene Depasucat who defended and had former E.B. Magalona police chief Melvin Matulac acquitted of a charge of illegal possession of firearms.

He was accused by what Depasucat called the “much maligned, hated, and discredited” Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF). His ahijado in California Bing Ramos congratulates him.

PAOCTF was accused of having kidnapped and murdered PR man Bubby Dacer. I recall when Bubby’s lawyer Amado Bagatsing came to Bacolod, he looked for me, knowing I was Bubby’s friend.

Bagatsing was told it was PAOCTF that had Bubby killed. Bagatsing is now a congressman.

* * *

A friend told me, “if Monico is your friend as what you said, he is… don’t press him to name the erring local media people.”

“Why not?” I said. You underestimate my capability of scolding them? Of course, I will ask them first if the accusation is true. If not, I will tell them to tell Monico. If true, yes, I will scold them.

Stop that, he said. You will not be helping Monico. He added, they will not be mad with you. They will tear Monico to pieces.

I am not opposing the bill. I just believe if passed as is, signed by the President, and allowed by the Court, it cannot be implemented. It is also impractical.

It will be just a “poisoned chalice.” I would rather that Monico fights openly his perceived enemies in media here. And it will make media work here very interesting.

O.K. I will not ask for the naming of the “unethical, unfair” media here. Unless Monico wants to do it.

* * *

Hazel Stuart told me it was Anne Balcells birthday yesterday. Happy birthday, Anne!

My other friend, Gilda Puey Locsin texted me she was not in the rally of her brother against Bing Leonardia.

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