Downright absurd

And now, officials are even questioning a poem?

Below is an invitation from the Provincial Council of Palawan to the editors of Bandillo ng Palawan, a local paper, to appear at the question hour of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for publishing a poem criticizing the provincial government.

The poem is said to be part of a paid ad of the municipality of San Vicente which has been longing that their municipal road be repaired.

Republic of the Philippines
Provincial Government of Palawan
Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
City of Puerto Princesa

October 4, 2006

MR ROBERT BAGALAY and
MR SERGE FONTILLA [sic]
Editorial Boards [sic]
Bandillo ng Palawan
2nd Floor Escamilla Building
Rizal Avenue
Puerto Princesa City

Sirs:

Greetings!

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan would like to invite your goodselves [sic] to appear before the August [sic] Body during its Question and Answer Hour of the Regular Session on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 10:00 in the morning at the Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Legislative Building, this city.

Matters relative [sic] to the poem entitled [sic] "AY DIOS KO" which was published under the section of "Balitang San Vicente" of Bandillo ng Palawan, September 25, 2006 - October 1, 2006 issue will be tackled.

Your attendance and usual cooperation will be highly appreciated.

Very truly yours,

NORMAN C. NAVARRO
Board Secretary V
Officer-In-Charge

The poem, published in Bandillo ng Palawan that had criticized the local government, is posted below.

Ay Dios Ko!

Kalsada na Ay Dios Ko ginagamit na panlinlang
Ng Probinsiya sa mamamayan, sa kanyang pagkukulang
Pagpapabaya sa maintenance ng kalsadang kailangan
Matagal nang nangyayari, ngayo'y nais na pagtakpan

Sa Caruray di-umano double purpose ang Kapitolyo
Kahit na hindi pwede, igigiit ang Ay Dios ko
Dahil kailangan ang kalsada, tatanggapin na ng tao
Bandang huli iaatras, sisisihi'y Munisipyo

Pero mas lalo daw pabor kapag project ay matuloy
Sa 46 milyong pondo, computed na ang pangsuhol
Kay Pedro at kay Juan, pawang mga trabahador
At kay Jay-R na PORSYENTO, sa paghahanap ng CONTRACTOR