SM, CSI browbeat Robinsons Mall in Pangasinan

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

 In a huddle recently among mayors of Pangasinan, one of them was anxious that the Philippine National Police will recall this month the two police security details each of them availed. “Pasalamat ako at merong allocation na pinasa ang Sanggunian (Bayan or town council) para sa apat na civilian security details that would act as my close-in bodyguards,” quipped the second mayor in the vernacular.
The first mayor could only shake his head because his town did not pass a resolution for a plantilla for security details. Second Mayor commented” Si Ric (Orduna, mayor of Bugallon) ma-suerti apat ang kanyang security details noong mag attend kami ng kasal sa Dagupan (City) kamakailan lang.” A bit surprised first mayor reacted: “Grabe, suerte naman ni Mayor Ric, apat na police ang escorts niya.” “Anong apat na police?
Apat na jeep na police ang details niya!” the first mayor joked. Orduna, a source said, requested the four police security details from Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior & Local Government, after he sued Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino with plunder – a non-bailable case.
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One’s attendance in a burial of a relative or friend among Filipinos is “sacred.” One’s unreasonable absences not only offend the sensibilities of the loved ones of the dead, but being frowned by other people.
 A pathetic sight ensued during the mass and internment of Mangaldan Mayor Herminio Romero. Conspicuously absence where most of the mayors of the 48 towns and cities of Pangasinan. It was only Dasol Mayor Noel Nacar, the president of the League of Mayors of Philippines – Pangasinan Chapter, Aguilar Mayor Eduardo Ballesteros, this town Mayor Berex Abalos, and Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza who were sighted there. According to Board Member Ming Rosario, former Speaker Jose de Venecia asked him at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, where Romero’s remains lie, why the mayors of the 4th Congressional District which de Venecia represented before were not around to pay their last respects.
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The management of Robinsons Mall in Calasiao, Pangasinan should re-examine its policy on its pathetic relationship with the local media. Its rival SM-Rosales and CSI-Warehouse Club in Rosales, Pangasinan and in Dagupan City, respectively, have been continuously patronized by a sea of humanity especially during the recent Christmas season while the Gokongwei-owned giant retail store could only chalked up an anemic traffic of shoppers who bothered to patronize it.
A good rapport with the local radio and community newspapers through the publication of social activities (SM has its “Pamaskong Holiday sa OFW’s and the poor”, CSI has its Christmas treat given by owner vice mayor Belen Fernandez to the senior citizens) gave mileage to the human side of the two successful malls. Huwag naman iyong puro kita na lang Robinsons. Of course, I did not discount the cheaper price and wide-arrays of goodies and services offer by CSI and SM. (You can read my selected thought-provoking columns athttp://mortzortigoza.blogspot.com. and articles at Pangasinan News Aro. You can send comments too at totomortz@yahoo.com)