I was in Dumaguete City last October 1 for the 2nd Central Visayas Cooperative Congress when I came across online fury directed at Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino and fellow Liberal Party stalwart, Laguna 4th district Congressman Benjamin Agarao Jr.
The controversy stemmed from the lewd performance of young twerk dance practitioners, known as “The Playgirls” during the birthday party of Rep. Agarao. Judging from online video, The Playgirls was a hit with LP partisans, who had been inducted earlier to the party by administration standard-bearer, Mar Roxas. Also in attendance was Tolentino, who is seeking a berth in the LP Senate slate.
The induction of some 80 new LP members did not figure in the news that day, but the lewd dance of The Playgirls. The emcee repeatedly announced for all to hear that the appearance of the dance group was sponsored by Tolentino, supposedly his “gift” to Congressman Agarao.
As we know, denials have been issued back and forth by LP echelon, Tolentino and Agarao, but one thing stood out. Tolentino seemed to be a suki (regular customer) of The Playgirls who claimed in a TV interview that in 2013, they were also called to perform in the campaign sortie of Tolentino’s brother Bambol in Indang, Cavite. In which case, the MMDA executive can’t claim not to know the repertoire of the group.
What struck me most is that the dancers looked very young, probably only in their early 20s or even late teens. The men who participated in the sexy dance numbers wearing yellow polo shirts looked old enough to be their father or grandfather. Since they are ward leaders of Congressman Agarao, they must be prominent figures in the community. I can’t imagine how their families, especially their children, are coping with the shame and humiliation of this unfortunate incident.
Cebu has its own raunchy bars, but the concept of a political event featuring young girls mimicking sexual acts with older men cannot happen in our own backyard, and I must say even in other Central Visayas provinces.
As a political observer for more than three decades, I can say without fear of contradiction that local political rallies are merely extensions of fiesta celebrations where home-grown talents find a venue for their craft, whether as comedians, singers and dancers.
In fact, it is not surprising to find drama talents running for elective posts side by side with prominent political figures. Under such a set-up, a political party finds an organic entertainer whose role is simply to draw people to attend its rallies. And since these talents are household names, the strategy is for popular artists to be associated with lesser known candidates so people will remember them come election time.
Sometimes, local parties would import big-name artists based in Manila to attract bigger crowds. Unlike in the old days, campaign sorties are no longer a vehicle for discussions of campaign issues but simply a way for the masa to momentarily escape from the humdrum of their lives. Perhaps, the degree of entertainment in the song, dance and comic skit formula has so jaded the usual audience that some politicians are looking at the kind of entertainment being served in bawdy houses to attract adherents.
By the way, the birthday celebrant had been implicated in the pork barrel fund mess by Janet Lim Napoles who claims she was able to source P5 million of Congressman Agarao’s PDAF through his agent named Maya Santos. According to Napoles, P3 million went to bogus NGOs, while Santos pocketed P2 million out of Agarao’s pork barrel funds. Agarao has denied allegations, saying that as an opposition congressman from 2004 to 2007, he had difficulty accessing his PDAF funds during the time of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
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Notes from the 2nd Central Visayas Cooperative Congress: It was a huge success judging from the more than 600 delegates who converged at the Negros Oriental Convention Center. It was an impressive turnout from all over Region 7 considering that the gathering coincided with various local events in celebration of October as co-op month.
Kudos to the main convenors, the Negros Oriental Provincial Cooperative Development Office (PCDO), led by Dr. Profetiza “Tess” Lim who organized the event jointly with the Regional Cooperative Development Council 7. The RCDC 7 is headed by Mandaue City Councilor Beethoven Andaya in his capacity as chairman of the Mandaue City Cooperative Development Council.
The Cooperative Development Authority Cebu Extension Office Regional Director Philip Deri sits as RCDC 7 co-chair.
I will not be able to name all the hardworking men and women who worked behind the scenes, but their efforts are best appreciated in the numerous positive feedback said about the Co-op Congress: well-attended, organized and very relevant to the development of co-ops in Central Visayas.
At the close of the assembly, delegates unanimously voted to adopt three resolutions passed by Congress convenors. Resolution number 1 pertains to the strong objections of the assembly to the repeal of Sections 60 & 61 of RA 9520 as contemplated by HB 2765 and SB 2048. The second resolution seeks deferment of compliance to the CISA law, to the effect that large co-ops will comply in 2017. The third resolution which came from the floor called on the government to increase the budget of the Cooperative Development Authority CDA from P349 million in CY 2015 to P1 billion in 2016.