Why gag Bobby?

Is it true that my good friend and Sun Star  columnist Bobby Nalzaro has been gagged by the management of his paper because of his critical stand against suspended governor Gwen Garcia?

According to Nalzaro, the management accommodated the request of the Garcia elders for him to discontinue writing for the paper until the issue at the Capitol is resolved.

Nalzaro’s column is in the opinion page precisely so that he can articulate his views. His right to do so must be respected unless his column  is libelous. I think the Sun Star board should  rethink its position. They  have silenced a well-read columnist. This may lead to a loss of readers and questions about  the paper’s independence.

The Garcias should also undo what it has done. This  will not help their cause in the ongoing  Capitol controversy.

Good luck, Señor Bobby. I know you will survive this latest challenge in your profession.

* * *

I found the latest pronouncements of  Gov. Gwen Garcia’s brother Byron Garcia funny. Byron resurfaced on Sunday at the Capitol after a long absence during which he had falling out with his sister.

Byron went to the Capitol to support her and said a  mouthful against Chief Supt.  Marcelo Garbo Jr.,   director of the  Central Visayas police.  He even challenged the police official to a fistfight. Garbo replied  that  he is not a boxer and that Byron should instead fight boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.

It is  behavior and statements like Byron’s  that will alienate the Garcias from the public. The acts reek of arrogance.

It would have been better if Byron Garcia had remained quiet. He’s not  helping gain public sympathy for his sister.

The Garcias should be more deliberate in their moves instead of  courting the ire of the public, whose support they need in contesting her six-month suspension ordered by the President.

Perhaps the Garcias need a public relations consultant in their  battle against the forces of Malacañang especially in reining in  kinsmen  whose actions and speech  turn off people.

There is no room for arrogance in this continuing saga at the Capitol.

* * *

Apparently many thought that they were not going to hear any more bad news about Joavan Fernandez but they were  wrong because after a few months of  non-controversy and quiet away from the public eyes, Joavan  returned to the headlines when he seized the truck of a Cebu City resident carrying sand purportedly because it lacked a permit.  This was eventually disproven by Talisay City Hall.

The owner has filed a case for carnapping  against Joavan because this is  the second time that his truck was seized by Joavan. Once again  the father Mayor Socrates Fernandez came to the rescue by justifying Joavan’s action as a member of the Vanguard.

I think Mayor Soc should revisit his appointment of Joavan as a green worker because his son isn’t  just tarnishing the image of Talisay City with his behavior.

Joavan has brought more negativity than positivity to the mayor’s office and Talisay City. The mayor should dismiss Joavan before things get out of hand. As it stands, Joavan will either create more trouble or put his own life in danger.