By Nimfa B. Quirante

Catbalogan, Samar (9 October) -- In one of her rare public appearances, Samar Governor Milagrosa T. Tan surprised some tricycle drivers today, when she and her party distributed rice and cash to some 288 pedicab drivers.

The Governor in her short speech told the cheering crowd that she decided to distribute rice and cash to the pedicab drivers because she knew their livelihood was affected when typhoon "Milenyo" stormed Samar.

The lady-governor told the drivers that some government officials scoff at her distribution of rice to poor people like the drivers, she added that she does not mind them as long as the masses like the drivers appreciate the rice and cash.

She also assailed some of her critics whom she said have become arrogant and have always criticized her dealings with her poorer constituents. Tan said that her power as Governor is God's blessings and that she has never let it got to her head. She emphasized that no power nor riches should bring any man to think he is on top of the world.

She also explained that she has never used the media to lash at her opponents who have maligned her and even accused her of graft. She charmed the cheering crowd with her usual pronouncements of concern for them.

"Malipay pud ko ug makakita ninyo nga mu smile." (I also feel happy when you smile.)

Pedicab drivers Sonny Pincas, 25 from Barangay 13 and Rolando Buenafe, 36 of the same barangay admitted that no other governor had directly given them anything. For them, her graft cases are of no concern to them. They are just happy with the bugas and cash.