Ricky Carandang's double-edged job

As announced in the “Inside Track” of The Philippine STAR last Sunday, here we are all set to start our new column to replace our old one in response to numerous requests from some of our readers and friends. Hopefully the items here will be interesting and enjoyable as well as informative for everyone.

After an almost one-month hiatus, our friend Ricky Carandang has decided to take the plunge and join the communications team of President Noynoy Aquino. Ricky is a professional who has done well as a journalist and ANC anchor, occasionally throwing hard questions to his guests. Now it will be the other way around. His new job will be the difficult task of dealing with the press. But actually, Ricky will find that part easy. The real hard part would be dealing with the politics within the Noynoy group. The “Nouveau Group,” to which people like Ricky belong, will have to contend with the so-called “Yellow Group” who feel they – and only they – are entitled to be around the inner circle of PNoy since they consider themselves the Cory originals. For the moment, we’re not sure whether to offer our congratulations or sympathies to Ricky Carandang, but it’s high time people within the Noynoy group stop practicing “color racism.” Colors shouldn’t matter anymore whether you’re white, blue, green or yellow. After all, the new President will need all the help he can get from professionals like Ricky who have made the supreme sacrifice of joining government.

Fertilizer Catch-22

With the P728-million fertilizer controversy starting to heat up again, President Noy will have his hands full once the Truth Commission starts going full-blast into the investigation. The president might even find himself in a Catch-22 situation because it seems that some of his allies in the Liberal Party – a number of whom are now in Congress – were reportedly recipients of the fertilizer money. With Congress ready to open on July 26, President Aquino will need all his allies in Congress for his legislative agenda.

Merry-go-round

Talking about Congress, when it opens on July 26 legislators will be scrambling for membership in powerful and juicy commissions. Among the most coveted is the powerful Commission on Appointments, and one of those angling to be a CA member is neophyte congresswoman and former President Gloria Arroyo. It’s almost certain she will be a bane for some Cabinet Secretaries especially those who were members of the so-called “Hyatt 10.” When Noynoy Aquino was still a senator, he was very much against reappointing Cabinet appointees who were bypassed by the Commission on Appointments. Now that he is president, will he practice what he preached?

Insecure security

As the president continues to travel back and forth from Times Street to Malacañang without the benefit of “wang-wang,” our sources tell us the PSG is getting antsy and very eager for President Aquino to move to Bahay Pangarap. Having a regular route and routine is a security nightmare because targets can become easier to track - resulting in more risks both to the VIP and his security escorts. Contrary to perception, popular personalities are the top targets of terrorists to create chaos, fear and confusion. Even a well-loved humanitarian like former First Lady Aurora Quezon was assassinated by Huks - to the utter shock and horror of everyone including then-US president Harry Truman. But still, despite the risks, the President has made it clear no “wang wang” for now.

Dream house

While the Bahay Pangarap is undergoing minor renovations for the young bachelor president, it is important to note that the original house was actually built out of bamboo by Gloria’s father, former President Diosdado Macapagal. The house was supposed to be a showcase of Filipino ingenuity using Philippine material. Since then, it has undergone several renovations, the latest of which was done by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Ironically, it would seem Mrs. Arroyo knew who would be the occupant of the house since it was renovated to have only one bedroom, making it perfect for a bachelor. Malacañang Park, where the house is located, has a lot of secrets involving past Philippine Presidents. It was a favorite playground for many because it kept them free from the prying eyes of the press.

Viva España!

Manila Overseas Press Club chairman Tony Lopez (in Spanish pronounced “Lopeth”) who playfully fancies himself as a “tisoy” despite his native priestly looks, was so moved by the victory of Spain at the World Cup finals that he wants to host a special dinner for our mutual friend Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias Romero. Actually, the Spanish Ambassador was so happy to see many Filipinos rooting for mother country Spain. After all, we were under Spanish colonial rule for over 300 years - something Filipinos would never forget. Viva España!

And that’s the truth

At the time when jockeying for Cabinet positions was so intense, there was a hilarious story told us about one former Cory Cabinet secretary who desperately wanted to be appointed by PNoy that he pitched a tent outside the Aquino residence in Times street complete with pictures of the former secretary with PNoy’s mother. He was frantically hoping the new President would take a look at the photos and give him a job. But unfortunately for him, Noynoy never even noticed it. We asked the former secretary who was supposedly the subject of the story. He absolutely denies it. And that, he said, is the truth.

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