“Don’t find fault, find a remedy.” –Henry Ford

It’s been over a week since Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa. Threatened to relieve regional police directors who were unable to stop illegal gambling operations in their respective jurisdictions. I immediately expressed skepticism that illegal gambling, which is deeply rooted in the Filipino psyche, could be banished within a span of seven days.
Since I haven’t heard any reports of heads rolling, were these regional directors successful? If illegal gambling “resurface” or reports of such operations are being monitored, does that mean the PNP chief is not respected by his subordinates? It means he is no different from his predecessors, all of whom gave the “stop illegal gambling operations” speech but had no will to follow through with their directives.
He is “puro laway,” or all talk (literally translated, “all saliva),” and no backbone.

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After the More Electric and Power Corporation (More Power) appeared to enjoy a “post victory celebration” following the implementation of a writ of possession, which paved the way for More Power to take over assets held by the Panay Electric Company (PECO), Iloilo City Regional Trial Court-Branch 23 Judge Emerald Requina-Contreras directed the utility firm to “remove all ads pertaining to its full operation pending the resolution of the foregoing.” In addition, “More Power already made announcements on broadcast and social media that they are now in full operation of the distribution facilities of Iloilo City.”
The order essentially placed a gag order on More Power’s claims of serving as Iloilo City’s sole power distributor.
According to the judge: “[More Power] may deploy their personnel to man and oversee the substations to exercise their possession and control the distribution facilities but the operations of the facilities should still be handled by PECO personnel, who have the technical expertise.”

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The coronavirus disease, or Covid-19, is in New York City, where I live. According to the New York City Health Department, the latest case is a Manhattan-based who is currently hospitalized and reported to be in “severe condition.” The New York Post identified the patient as 50-year-old Lawrence Garbuz, who runs the Lewis & Garbuz law firm, with offices located across the street from Grand Central Terminal.
He was initially hospitalized last week at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, located in Westchester Country; however, he was later transferred to NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital on W. 168th Street.
He is reportedly being treated in the intensive care unit.

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Alex P. Vidal, who is based in New York City, used to be the editor for two local dailies in Iloilo./WDJ