ILIGAN City ― It is said that sometimes, it is better to leave some words “unsaid.” This means some situations should be left hanging. Literally and figuratively. But some things should be hung thoroughly.

As in buntings. In this city, many people commented on it. Because it’s now September. Which is fiesta time. Yet there are no buntings seen. Buntings, to note, are signs of festivities.

So it refers to any festive decorations made of fabric, plastic, paper, or cardboard in imitation of material. Typical forms of buntings are strings of monochrome, colorful. beige, triangular flags in various colors gathered into swags or pleated into fan shapes. That’s what Google says.

We don’t have to consult Mr. Google on this. Because as soon as we see them hanging above, we know what this means. And now, several days into September, we begin to see them. At least, in major streets in the city. The city fiesta will push through. Come hell or high water, as some would express this in those darn good days.

So, this is a good “hanging” story.

There’s another “hanging” story now. Though not literally or physically. It is figuratively. So it is hanging now in the balance of doubt.

I am talking about the barangay and SK elections this year. Will it push through? It's a yes. Says the Comelec. Because there's no law yet postponing it. So they’ve got to prepare for it. It's also a “no.” If we read the mindset of Congress. But the mind alone does not matter. They’ve got to do some double time. In acting on it. To come up with the law postponing it. Is there time to do such things?

Yes, says Atty. Annaliza Barredo, Comelec election officer here. Yet the lawmakers have to race against time. And until this time, the matter still hangs.

Another “hanging” concern here is validity. Validity of some matters like some marriage ceremony being officiated by an official who during the time of that said ceremony didn’t or wasn’t authorized to do that. Because he was guilty of “usurpation of official functions.” Am talking of then-mayor Celso G. Regencia who in February this year was found guilty by the Sandiganbayan of such. So, where are the married couples considered “married” already? That’s some hanging question.

I think their cases are not “void,” but “voidable.” That’s what three law units on “Obligations and Contracts” taught me in college. Which I passed. But barely, hi hi hi. And I don't know how many times I got absent on that! So, there might be questions of validity as to the marital vows of several couples in that regard. But, who cares about some questions of validity for them.? Hmm…maybe some third party perhaps?

And I do think that another term for “hanging” is standby. As in “no specific job.” Until the “specific job” comes along. Like that spare tire, one sees in some vehicles. It’s just a decorative piece. Until the tire no longer becomes spare. Because the main actor of a tire has conked out. And so…

Not unlike the position of Vice President. Who just makes some “hanging around.” In other words, doing some standing by. “For further development.” Like that newscaster who catches his breath and says, “standby for further development.”

According to a lawyer, the Vice President of this country, “has no specific responsibilities,” really. Now then, it is interesting to note what are the next moves of this VP of ours, who is currently the Secretary of Education too. With all the budget that the office has. Add to that the budget of intelligence funds she has sought.

Hence, this l question: Can she afford to be just “hanging around” for a long? Or in “standby mode” for so long?

Email: norasorino2@gmail.com