Digest Rhee-ports by RHEE Fer HORTALEZA

‘COMELEC ready for the elections’ – headline. I just hope that doesn’t mean ‘ready to cheat’, ha, Garci?

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Everyone was shocked when Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Robert ‘Eskimo’ M. Estrella, Jr. said that someone will face his supposedly unopposed brother Conrad in the 6th district congressional battle. But everyone laughed amusedly when he stated that the ‘foe will be their grandfather, the venerable Conrado ‘Lakay Condring’ F. Estrella, Sr.!

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‘Gov’t steps up promotion of RP as retirement destination for Japanese’ — newshead. Here’s hoping that it doesn’t mean ‘permanent’ retirement for those Japs!

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Since SP Member John Agerico B. Rosario is no longer eligible for another term as provincial legislator, his brother Jeremy Agerico will run for one of two 4th district slot in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. If Jeremy wins, it means na talagang patuloy ang pagro-Rosario ng religious SP, eh?

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‘Jueteng money buys votes in elections — Archbishop Cruz’ — newshead. No, those who eventually win through it are decidedly politickjueteng, eh?

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Around 40 million people worldwide are currently infected with HIV/AIDS with 2.3 million children infected through their mothers. My God! Now, who says that AIDS doesn’t matter?

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I will never forget the concurring reaction of the lvoely Baby Arenas when she noddingly blurted out with “Tama! Tama!” when I suggested, via a query, that Biskeg members who seemingly are given a raw deal by Lakas should run under the Biskeg banner if they really have faith in their local party. Coming from Baby, I felt truly honored.

But I appreciated even more the gesture of the young and pretty Rachel Arenas when she stood up from her chair at Caffina on that evening press conference, walked to where I was seated, extended her hand and said, “Tama po, Manong@”

They say that little acts can mean much at times.

I had only two previous encounters with Rachel in the past - one in Bayambang and the other at Aksyon Radyo before I was ousted by influential and onion-skinned politicians — but in both instances, these were insignificant meetins as the others were more determined to get her attention. And so, I said that the only third district congressional candidate close to me is Bayambang hizzoner Leo de Vera, at wala nang iba. Until that Caffina incident.

Anyway, I wish Rachel the best. I mean it, too!

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IT IS good to know that oldsters and other die-hard or dyed-in-the-wool supporters of traditional politicians are saying that Brian C. Lim is a ‘light’ or ‘easy-to-defeat’ opponent for the Dagupan City mayorship in May. In short, they totally underrate the son of Mayor Benjamin Saplan Lim, saying that he is too raw for the post. Ma-eta ni kuno.

But is he?

Maybe, Marc Brian is a first-timer in politics, if he indeed will run as hizzoner. Ni hindi raw siya galing sa kahit pagka-barangay kagawad o kapitan na gaya ng kanyang ama. Of course, this kind of logic or argument is pure shit. Many others never came from lower positions before they got the top post; but they had successful or remarkable stints. And there are those who held many lwo or positions before snatching the top one; but they turned out to beflops.

Lyceum Northwestern University President Gonzalo T. Duque publicly announced via the PATRIMA Kapihan last Thursday that he will vote for Brian if the young man opts to run for mayor; but that he will also go for Belen Fernandez for vice mayor. His argument may well reflect that of other people.

What is lawyer Gonz’s line of thinking? He perceived the mayoral battle as a fight between a candidate who is ‘ma-eta’ or raw or not yet ripe and a candidate who si ‘ampasager’ or not having a likable or acceptable taste.

“In the ma-eta, one can still expect that it will eventually become ripe and thus acceptable or delectable; but in the ampasager, there is no more hope that it will ever become delicious!” he said.

Brian, you have a defender in Gonzalo and all those who toe his wisdom-filled line!