I LIKE CONFLICTS. In statecraft, they make governance and democracy alive. The worst thing in government is when officials are one, protecting each other’s greed.

This way, the people are robbed, without fear of being caught and punished. Corruption flourishes.

Democracy and governance are alive and strong in Bacolod because of conflicts. The latest is between Congressman Monico Puentevella and Councilor Alex Paglumotan.

The relationship between the two is shifty, sometimes they can be called “amigo carnal” and at other times “enemigo mortal.”

They used to be carnal friends. Now they are mortal enemies. There’s no reason they cannot be carnal friends again depending on political developments.

Meanwhile, both are enjoying the publicity of their conflicts.

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Lately, Councilor Paglumotan enlisted the support of 4th district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer and 5th district Rep. Iggy Arroyo to help enact a law that gives Bacolod two Congressional seats.

Why Alex did not ask the help of Monico could be because they fought each other last election. Besides, Alex might have believed Newks is not in favor, like Rep. Raul Gonzales Jr. in Iloilo, who opposed it.

But, when Monico in a press conference was asked on his opinion on the two congressional districts, he said he would favor two cities, meaning breaking up Bacolod, and then have three congressional seats.

* * *

But, that was not the rub. Monico said he wanted to amend the law and have a provision that no one who has been convicted be allowed to run for any city or any congressional position.

It was obvious, Newks was aiming it at Alex who has been convicted once of libel.

Monico’s allusion to Alex as a convict, raised the hackles of Alex who said he was imprisoned for libel.

I was listening to the radio yesterday and Paglumotan went ballistic. He said, he was jailed for defending press freedom but Monico, faces many charges. Paglumotan’s words as a swipe at his former friend, “I am not a thief,” making allusion that Monico is.

Radio reporters said, Paglumotan who used to call Monico “kawati” now calls him “tuklo.”

I was listening to the radio yesterday and enjoyed the reports on the “P versus P” imbroglio. Local media people want Puentevella to answer Paglomutan. I understand media were very frantic in getting the side of Puentevella.

If I were Danny Fajardo of Panay News, I will say, meanwhile “Bing dies dies laughing.” This is Danny’s way of describing a very interesting thing.

* * *

Don’t underestimate Congressman Puentevella. He can give Alex a good fight. He is not one who puts his tail between his two hind legs and runs. No, Newks is a warrior.

And Alex, too. His life has been spent on fighting, starting from his days at Bombo Radio up to his political career.

Don’t worry. These are what make life in Bacolod interesting and governance and democracy alive.

Unless there is a law that prohibits one from running for public office because he has a libel conviction, Alex can run for Congress.

* * *

I was having a good sleep late Tuesday night when I received a text from Australia of a hoax on earthquake. I texted my friends to warn them too. I called up Carla at DAILY STAR who did not know about it. It’s good it was just a hoax.

But, those 20,000 victims of China’s earthquake is nothing. The worst earthquake was the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in Italy that buried the city of Pompei.

The others follow: The worst was in Shanxi, China on January 23, 1556. The death toll was 830,000, followed by one in Tangshan, also in China on July 28, 1650. A total of 655,000 died.

The third was in Aleppo, Syria on Sept. 10, 1290 where 230,000 died. The fourth was in Dunghan, Iran on Dec. 22, 856 where 200,000 died.

Other earthquakes that killed also 200,000 were all in China also. In Xining, China on May 22, 1927 and in Gangzu province on Sept. 1, 1923. In Messina, Italy on May 2, 1902 and in North Italy on Dec. 27, 1939 100,000 died in each.

The biggest number of people killed in the Philippines was an earthquake on July 16, 1900 where 2,000 died in Manila.

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