Si Palindrome
Chapter 23, Limited Edition, Issue: ForeverHindi bababa sa representatives o mga pinuno ng 80 cooperatives ng farmers sa buong bansa ang supposedly nakapirma sa records ng Magtanim ay Di Biro Bro Inc.
Sa 80 na ito, nalaman nila Seulgi, Irene,Wendy at Joy na 15 lang ang talagang pumirma, at ito ay dahil sinabihan sila na darating lang ang abono at seedlings kapag lumagda sila. Forty ang tumangging pumirma - the rest consist of signatures from non-existent cooperatives or fictitious people.
"So kung tumanggi sila, isa lang ibig sabihin nito," Irene said.
"Their signatures were forged," galit na bigkas ni Seulgi.
"Seulgi, imposibleng mangyari 'to na hindi alam ng LGU officials sa areas na napuntahan nung taga-Magtanim Ay 'Di Biro Bro Inc."
Napatiim-bagang si Seulgi. "They are in cahoots with whoever these people from that dubious NGO are."
Nung araw na 'yun, sinugod ni Seulgi ang governor nila.
"Sir, nagtrabaho ako dito dahil yung institutions dito shared a vision of transparency, with public trust as the bedrock."
"Gobernador ka pero I don't work for you, I work for the people."
Eyes ablaze, diniretso ni Seulgi ang elected official.
"Anong alam mo sa modus operandi ng Magtanim Ay Di Biro Bro Inc. at bakit ka pumayag na gawin nila ito?"
The governor wiped his brow and bowed his head.
"Seulgi, hindi ako tumanggap ng kahit ano sa kanila. Pero I had to let them operate here and I had to stay silent."
"At bakit naman?"
"Open your eyes Seulgi! Ilang alkalde o LGU official na ba ang bigla na lang binaril dito habang nasa opisina pa nga nila or why attending a freaking flag ceremony?"
"Hindi ako magnanakaw. Hindi ako corrupt. Pero if I tell on them - I'll be as good as dead."
"Who's them?"
"Yung tao sa likod ng pekeng NGO na yan - si Palindrome."
Meanwhile, while this heated exchange is happening in Albay, Irene stumbled on something important sa Manila.
She accessed the articles of incorporation of Magtanim Ay Di Biro Bro Inc.
Its president's name is Ben A. Bautista.
"Ben A. Bautista. BAB," Seulgi said in shock when Irene relayed this information to her later in their Zoom call.
"BAB is a palindrome. Siya yun!" Seulgi gasped.
"What does A stand for Irene?"
"Aguinaldo."
Nagkatinginan silang dalawa. Aguinaldo as in the family name of no less than one Sen. Aguinaldo.
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