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Approaching the new Ban-Tal flyover from either A. S. Fortuna St or the entrance road of Maria Luisa village, one can see emblazoned on the sides of the flyover these words:

Del Mar
With You, For You, Always

Now, what right does Rep. del Mar have in placing his name on public property? Did he pay for the construction of the flyover? If he did, then no question about it.

But if the flyover was built on tax payer’s money, then my name and the names of thousands of other Cebu city residents should also be there.

Thus, if I paint my name on any part of the flyover, I should not be charged with vandalism. If I am, then Rep. del Mar should be charged along with me.

Come to think of it, the sign says only "Del Mar." This is, of course, in anticipation of the candidacy of del Mar’s daughter, Cutie, that she may continue his dynasty … er … programs.

This means the whole family can be charged with vandalism.

Ms. Cebu 2009 is just around the corner and I’m going to ask you, dear reader, to go online and vote for a dear friend.

Her name is Michelle Iva “Isa” G. Eguia. She’s one of those naturally-gifted people who can brighten up anyone’s day no matter how somber. She’s not difficult to get along with, has a heart bigger than most people, listens to problems with ease and she’s a Christian with a genuine love for God that radiates throughout her personality.

She’s the real deal and most fitting to represent the beautiful city of Cebu. No matter where you are in the world, you can vote for her. Go to http://www.cebucitytourism.com/ms_cebu_2009 and click on Candidate No.9.

If you live in the Philippines you can also vote through SMS via Globe. Text VOTE(space)MSCEBU(space)ISA and then send to 2278

The main avenue that traverses the North Reclamation Project has no traffic lights. Yet, that road gets busier and busier as more establishments rise up.

Already the Cebu Doctors’ University is there, in itself a source of heavy traffic. Then there’s the increasingly popular Parkmall.

On some days, perhaps when the Mandaue city traffic enforcers are feeling good about themselves, they’re there in what seems to be directing traffic. Most of the time they’re not.

So that stretch of road is just waiting for accidents to happen. Why Mandaue city hall is doing nothing about prevention is beyond me. One of the city councilors, in fact, teaches in Cebu Doctors’ University so he surely sees the situation.

We all know what’s going to happen if an accident does occur. That’s the only time frenzied action will take place. Investigations will be conducted; finger-pointing will commence; politicians will grand stand and the mayor and his opposition-filled council will have fodder to start a new quarrel; ad nauseum.

Meanwhile, motorists and pedestrians risk life and limb on that stretch of road.

Welcome to Mandaue city!

The Banilad-Talamban flyover is taking excruciatingly slow to finish. When construction began the contractors estimated it would be finished by August. The latest word, however, is that the flyover would be fully operational on Oct. 15.

Tomorrow, Sept. 5, was supposed to be the deadline. Now, the contractors are rushing, employing more laborers to work 24 hours. Karon pa! They should have done this months ago!

Yet, this reflects the kind of governance city hall has been serving to its constituents. One word: sloppy. Mayor Tommy Osmeña was an advocate of the building of the flyover, bullheadedly insisting on its construction even as businessmen in the area were against it. But that’s the mayor for you, bullheaded and acerbic-tongued but sloppy.

In the latest shooting –there were several in the past 3 weeks– lawyer Richard Sison was gunned down in broad daylight by assailants who didn’t bother to cover their faces. Several witnesses, in fact, were able to give police artists clear descriptions of them.

Why have these killers become bolder? There are 2 theories I can think of.

1. They’re from out of town
2. They’re sure of not getting caught; and, if they’re apprehended, are equally sure of not being prosecuted

If they’re from out of town, this should not be reason for the long arm of the long not to reach them. We’ve seen Cebu city police successful in the past in pursuing and arresting out-of-town bank robbers.

However, if the killers are not afraid to be pursued and arrested, this means the killers may have a powerful mastermind. The killers were professional in every way. They tailed the lawyer, who was driving alone, and at a stoplight alighted from a motorcycle and peppered Sison with 9mm submachine guns. Sison didn’t have a chance. They then sped away.

Richard Sison was a high-profile lawyer. Whoever had him assassinated either had an ongoing case or just lost one. Obviously he had the money to hire professional killers.

It is hoped that the police would quickly get into the bottom of this latest crime and prosecute the guilty whoever or how influential they may be. The beautiful province of Cebu must not be perceived as a place that has sunk into lawlessness.

In a country where we often see bitter rivalries in politics, organizations and, yes, even in churches, it’s a breath of fresh air to witness two bitter political enemies kiss and make up.

When Gov. Gwen Garcia trooped to Bogo last Thursday to promote the province-wide tourism project, "Suroy Suroy sa Sugbo" (Tour Cebu), Bogo City Mayor Celestino "Junie" Martinez was on hand to greet her and even buzzed her on the cheek.

Once bitter rivals for the gubernatorial seat of Cebu province, Junie and Gwen seemed to have buried the hatchet. Mayor Martinez opened his welcome speech with "Our beloved governor". Gov. Garcia for her part told the people of Bogo City, "We in turn welcome you into our hearts."

Skeptics may want to believe that what transpired was just for show and that both Junie and Gwen were just doing what they do best: playing politics.

Perhaps. But in these times of corruption scandals, soaring rice prices, oil price hikes and political polarizations, what happened in Bogo City gives a ray of hope and inspiration. We certainly need more like that!

Ongoing is the construction of the Banilad-Talamban flyover, the third flyover in that stretch of road that begins at Gorordo Ave.

The target month of completion is around July. Meanwhile, traffic is from painstakingly slow to standstill. Slow traffic, in fact, was the reason why City Hall gave the go-ahead to construct the flyover. And when Mayor Osmeña says, "Go," it’s a go no matter what others may say.

While the construction was being mulled, businessmen were already saying the flyover might kill or hinder their businesses. They suggested instead that the road be widened. It would be cheaper and businesses would not be affected.

While this article will not dwell on the merits (or demerits) of a flyover or road-widening, the construction does point out poor urban planning by City Hall. It’s more of a gut reaction to the sudden pains of a growing city.

Whether the flyover will ease out traffic or not is not the point. When the local government is reactive, this means future problems are not foreseen. When this is the way things are run, there will come a time when an accumulation of problems will present itself as unsolvable. When this happens, the ones who will suffer will be the constituents.

Then, like all politicians, those presently in charge of government will merely lose the next election and pass the problem and blame to the next leader.

Here’s some really good news. 534 sheltered children were recognized in simple rites by the Cebu City government as having graduated from various educational levels namely, elementary, secondary and college.

These children are former street children, children in conflict with the law, abused and disadvantaged children taken into shelter by various non-government agencies recognized by the Cebu City Task Force on Street Children which is headed by Mayor Tommy Osmeña’s wife, Margot.

Of the 534 graduates, 255 graduated from elementary, 184 graduated from high school, 90 from college and five others finished vocational and short-term courses. Among those recognized were 22 honor students, three of them valedictorians, a salutatorian and 18 other students with honors.

Speaking before the graduates and their house parents during the recognition ceremony, Mrs. Osmeñ said, "Before, our only purpose was to keep you safe. I did not imagine there would come a time that we would see 90 of you graduating from college. This is a source of so much pride for us".

Indeed, the recognition rites is a glowing testament of a community working together to give once hopeless children a bright and hopeful future.

A poignant scene unfolded yesterday during the graduation rites of the College of Nursing of Cebu Doctors’ University. Vicente Ruba marched onto the stage to posthumously receive the diploma of his daughter, Ruby Jade Ruba.

Everyone in the auditorium, which included university president Potenciano Larrazabal, other officials, faculty and students, rose to give Ruba a standing ovation.

Ruby Jade Ruba was fatally shot last March 7 by gangsters no older than her. They claimed they did it for fun and to steal her cell phone.

After the graduation rites, Vicente Ruba told reporters that his wife couldn’t accompany him because she was still grief-stricken. The Rubas are from Southern Leyte. He also cautioned students to be extra careful when travelling.

Meanwhile, the killers have recanted their earlier admission to the shooting (although there are witnesses to the crime) and have fired their court-appointed lawyer. They want instead to hire a private lawyer.

It would be doubly tragic if Ruby’s killers would go scot-free. They not only killed a promising, young woman, but the hopes and aspirations of a family.

Ruby was shot while she was on her way to her lodging house after finishing a case study with classmates. It was the last hurdle before graduation. How she must have been excited for the day she would receive her diploma!

Then three gangsters who had been drinking and out for a thrill end it all.

It was courageous for Vicente Ruba to come to Cebu and complete his daughter’s scholastic journey by receiving her diploma.

It is hoped that his trek would not be in vain in that the killers would be tried and sent to prison for the rest of their useless lives.

Any entertainer worth his salt who has performed in Cebu will tell you that Cebuano audiences are the hardest to please. But when they fall in love with you, they become fiercely loyal.

Apparently no one told this to Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr., star witness of the Senate inquiry into the ZTE-NBN corruption scandal. So Jun Lozada came, he saw, and he fizzled out. There were no huge crowds, no confetti, no politico-like handshakes wherever he went, and the forum wherein he spoke was only a third full.

It’s not that Cebuanos are not politically conscious. They are against corruption as any patriotic Filipino. They are abreast of the Senate inquiry and are indignant over the broadband scandal. A majority, in fact, believe in Jun Lozada.

So why was there a measly turn-out on his visit? Cebuanos simply felt he didn’t have to come. They heard everything he had to say to the Senate. What could he say more that would compel Cebuanos to stop their daily routine and flock to hear him speak?

Yet, Jun Lozada could have made his visit worthwhile by patiently making his views known to forum participants, no matter how few they were, and lay the groundwork for a future visit. Instead, he insults Cebuano sensibilities by bad-mouthing their beloved and highly respected prelate, Cardinal Vidal, charging him of giving an order to priests in his archdiocese not to say Mass for Jun Lozada.

He called the Cebu archdiocese the "The Archdiocese of Malacañang." The Black and White Movement shortly followed this up by calling Vidal a "Congressman in Cossack."

When the truth came out that there was no such order, Lozada sheepishly dismissed his statement as a "joke," further alienating himself from Cebuanos. Many felt he should have apologized outright and shore up his image as a crusader of truth. You do not come into the turf of a deeply religious people and insult their spiritual leader and then hope to visit again proclaiming to be the harbinger of truth.

So, will this turn Cebuanos into non-believers of Jun Lozada? Not likely. For Cebuanos, what transpired was seen as a failed attempt of Manileños to foist their brand of politics on us. Perhaps, better luck next time … if there is a next time.

Oh, and an apology won’t hurt either.