“I can assure you, public service is a stimulating, proud and lively enterprise. It is not just a way of life, it is a way to live fully.” –Lee H. Hamilton

With no offspring of former Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez, Sr. being considered by leading political parties to run in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections, it does not leave a good memory for the late cabinet official. Despite certificate of candidacy filing still yet to commence, Ilonggos have not heard major political groups, or those representing political impresarios, endorsing a Gonzalez son or daughter, or his wife Pacita.

Gonzalez, a true-blue Nacionalista, absorbed a tragic loss to neophyte Jed Patrick Mabilog in the 2010 race for Iloilo City mayor. Meanwhile, his son, Raul, Jr., relinquished his post as Iloilo City lone district congressman to Jerry Treñas in the same year. Since then, the effervescent Gonzalez clan has not won a major election in Iloilo City.

Pacita and their daughter Marigold, both doctors, made attempts in succeeding elections and were pulverized. They knew how much the local populace loved the late justice secretary, which is why there is always talk of resurrecting the Gonzalez name. Members of a political clan typically “preserve” memories and continue to create legacies by securing higher elective post after their respective patriarchs retire or die. If Ilonggos believe the Gonzalez legacy deserves some recognition – “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude) for his public service – they must support and elect a member of his family next year.

***

I have covered several reports on “bomb threats” in the Western Visayas and other parts of the country and, so far, none of them have turned out to be authentic. Threats, often delivered via phone call, are typically committed by pranksters and are not serious intimidation tactics from the likes of jihadists or extremist groups.

If a disobedient student is in trouble or under investigation, they may resort to phony bomb threats to divert their issues and delay disciplinary actions. In the case of threats made on the Hall of Justice, prank calls are typically masterminded by relatives or supporters of an accused criminal.

Over the years, bogus bomb threats have made school authorities and judges postpone the day’s important activities and suspend classes and trials./WDJ