DATELINE MINDANAO by Al Jacinto

Goin Bananas in Davao

GOIN’ to places proves so difficult, especially if ain’t got a ride, and at our office in Davao, vehicles are a problem. Getting a taxi is so expensive and riding a jeep or multi-cab for that matter makes it worse for a big guy like me. Thanks to some friends that I get to ride their luxurious pick-up trucks and SUVs while in Davao, where durian nowadays sell for as low as P20 a kilo. 

But how can I enjoy the sweet taste of durian? I like eating it cold, but the office has no refrigerator and applying for credit at appliances stores also proves futile, especially if you are dealing with idiots. 

Well, for one I walked in at EMCOR branch in San Pedro and was trying to get a 6-cubic foot refrigerator for around P9,000 plus and payable in 6 months. Confident of my credit standing since I’ve been a regular customer of 3 EMCOR branches in Zamboanga in the past, but the credit guys were asking me to issue post-dated cheques for the simple reason that, according to them, is that I am a busy man due to my job and hectic schedules. 

Brought the matter to the attention of EMCOR office in Bajada and while some guys there are sympathetic to my predicament, they can’t do nothin’. I was even trying to bring this issue to their regional manager, Grace Fernandez, through her secretary, I supposed – during my telephone conversation – but all I get was an apology from the soft-speaking secretary, and not a word from their manager. 

It was really very disappointing and the decision to require me to issue post-dated cheques seems too much for an old customer. I even asked the guys over at San Pedro if all customers are required to issue post-dated cheques and they say “no, it’s not, but it’s a case-to-case basis and you are a busy man.” 

I did not know that being a busy man is now a valid reason for them to require post-dated cheques. I guess the credit manager and his staff should undergo refresher courses on credit and collection guidelines. Not only they lost a valued customer, their decision was surely a poor judgment. 

Anyway, thanks to Abenson Appliances at NCCC in Matina, and the people there offered me a Panasonic refrigerator payable in 12 months – and good as cash!  But I got to enjoy the P1,000 discount for straight purchase. Thanks Abenson...and forget about EMCOR, it’s a pain in the ass! 

LOOKS like both Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Vice President Jojo Binay are having a hard time looking for their vice presidential candidate, and there are serious efforts to discredit Senator Grace Poe in seeking the presidency. 

I bet that if Grace decides to run as an independent presidential candidate, she would win hands down against Mar and Jojo. Mar is trying to get Grace as his running mate – to ensure the smart daughter of Fernando Poe Jr would carry his sagging popularity to Malakanyang. 

But getting Grace is not a guarantee for Mar. And Representative Leni Robredo is also being courted by the Liberal Party as Mar’s running mate too. Well, is Leni wanted to keep her credibility, then stay away from Mar. She can be Grace’s running mate and who knows that this poor country would be ruled by women – honest and credible women of substance! So let’s wait and see. (mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com)

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