Now if I sound skeptical, it is only because the KMU, the union that allowed the Atlas Mines to be shut down, will still have a say if the copper mine would be reopened, and those union leaders couldnt care any less if because of them, the Atlas Mines cannot reopen. So the big question hanging over our heads is whether Atlas Mines would reopen as announced by the President. At this point, were on a "wait-and-see" attitude.
During her last trip to Toledo City, the President didnt even bother to look into the progress or should I say non-progress of the Naga-Uling Road. This makes me wonder when will they ever get to finish this very vital road link from Cebu City to Toledo City? The more it is needed now that Atlas Mines is set to reopen.
But while were only getting bad news about the Naga-Uling Road, the DPWH quietly announced that the four-lane Cebu South Road linking Talisay City to the municipality of Naga has been "substantially completed" as of Dec. 10, 2005. This project was delayed for six months and I know the real reason why because the contractors couldnt be paid on schedule. Supposedly, the law states that government infrastructure projects cannot proceed unless there is already money for them it just amazes me why the DPWH cannot release the money that should go to the contractor.
I dont know what the legalities are in his case, but certainly I find this request quite odd in the sense that Eraps being jailed or under house arrest is to prevent him from doing harm to others. So far, even with Erap under house arrest, he has already done a lot of political harm to the country, more than anyone else who is in a similar predicament.
Wags in Cebu are already making jokes that Erap can choose as his Cebu residence either the Archbishops Palace or the Malacañang in the South! Of course, these may just be jokes, but who knows! I know the Cardinal too well that he would never refuse anyone seeking solace especially one who is supposed to be imprisoned. As a final joke, with Erap under the custody of the Cardinal in the palace, will the Cebu prelate allow him marital access? If so, which one or who among the many will have the privilege?
Two years after he was shot by Agca, Pope John Paul II personally met him inside his cell to forgive him. He was since pardoned by Italian authorities after serving 19 years in jail and extradited to Turkey to face his other criminal charges. Turkish authorities freed Ali Agca last Thursday with no howl coming from anywhere. Agca is now a free man. This brings us to a question what if Mehmet Ali Agca was sentenced to death and the sentence carried out? There certainly would be no Ali Agca walking free last Thursday. I just brought this up for those who still believe in the death sentence to ponder and think about.
We expect our 40th anniversary celebration would bring in the biggest number of classmates many of whom weve not seen in the last 40 years! So far, our Manila classmates have responded to our call since a couple of weeks ago and will be attending the reunion. A classmate from the United States, Noel Laspinas, texted me that he cannot come home at this time. Another classmate, my best friend in high school, Tony Rizarri, also texted that he cannot make it this year because he was here twice last year because of deaths in his family.
If youve just read this announcement, you can still take a plane to Cebu and catch up with the rest of your old buddies. I cannot assure you that most of us will be seeing the 50th celebration 10 years from now.