"Vote for the man who promises least; he'll be the least disappointing."
--Bernard Baruch
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Among the present members of the Iloilo City Council in the Philippines, Eduardo "Ed" Penaredondo is the most senior, having been elected for a record eight terms in the May 2016 elections.
He has been alderman since the time of the late Mayor Rodolfo T. Ganzon in 1989.
The other two are Vice Mayor Joe III Espinosa and Joshua Alim, both lawyers like Penaredondo.
While supporters of both Espinosa and Alim have been jockeying for their election to replace Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who will "graduate" in 2019, Penaredondo's supporters and brods in the Sigma Rho fraternity think the veteran ex-cop with roots from Duenas, Iloilo should be the next in line after Mabilog.
To avoid a collision course, Alim, one of the most qualified for the post, might shoot for a congressional seat. Espinosa, rumored to be the personal choice of Rep. Jerry Trenas, still enjoys the edge in the party selection process though.
"It's long overdue. He should have run for mayor a long time ago. We are always ready in case he decides to run in 2019," said a moneyed Sigma Rho member who manages a copier machine business.
The Sigma Rho member said Penaredondo is not only respected by his peers in the council, "he also is not at odds with most politicians in the local and national levels."
"Meaning," the Sigma Rho member added, "he can deal with any David and Goliath in government and this is good for Iloilo City."
-o0o-
A mayor in the fifth district of Iloilo was not included in the list of narco-politicians lambasted repeatedly by President Duterte because he is only a user, not a trafficker, said a former town councilor who once worked in the Hall of Justice in Iloilo City.
The mayor became a drug addict when he was teenager, the source said. One time, he reportedly told then President and now Manila Mayor Erap Estrada that "my (late) father was stupid for giving away hundreds of hectares of our farm lands to people who did not vote for me (the mayor)."
The former town councilor claimed that even when they were playing basketball, the mayor was always "high" of marijuana. "Everyone was afraid to foul him because he was so aggressive and sensitive," he said.
"Under the Duterte administration, the anti-drugs slogan is now kill the trafficker, spare the user," the former town councilor said in jest.
-o0o-
It's not fair to speculate that some of the former promising Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) young officers involved in the Oakwood mutiny in 2003 and hired by replaced Bureau of Customs (Boc) commissioner Nicanor Faeldon "benefitted" from corruption that was never nipped in the bud since the new administration took over.
Faeldon was reportedly axed for "command responsibility" when some P5-billion worth of shabu managed to enter the country via BoC before being seized in a Valenzuela City warehouse recently.
Faeldon's former cohorts in the Oakwood brouhaha who became BoC bigwigs reportedly "failed to properly check" the shipment's documents that came from China.
Sources claimed corruption like "lagayan system" is still rampant in the BoC.
Showing posts with label #Iloilo City Council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Iloilo City Council. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
A devil's vehicles
"We are in a world that is quite extremist and extremism makes more noise. Normality does not sell."
--Vicente del Bosque
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- We congratulate the Iloilo City Council in the Philippines for putting an end to the abuses of motor vehicle owners who used modified mufflers that caused terrible noise, inconvenience, and irritation without any concern to the public.
Irked pedestrians and observers referred to vehicles using modified mufflers as "a devil's vehicles" and wished they disappeared in the roads soon.
It was learned that if the muffler had a hole, it could cause dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide to leak into the cabin of a vehicle.
The colorless, odorless gas was reportedly a product of the combustion process.
Back in 2013, based on a personal experience, I've noticed while staying outside a big mall in La Paz district, Iloilo City, where a large number of vehicles using modified mufflers passed by, that mild exposure to carbon monoxide could give me headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
EXPOSURE
In fact, health authorities have warned that a prolonged carbon monoxide exposure can lead to unconsciousness and death.
Kudos to the local legislature for recently passing an ordinance penned by Councilor Joshua Alim seeking to prohibit the “Selling and Using of Modified Mufflers of Public and Private Motor Vehicles in Iloilo City and Providing Penalties Thereof”.
Before Alim's ordinance was passed, many homeowners' associations, cities, restaurants, and apartment complexes in other cities have adopted laws against loud noises from defective mufflers.
Those who used a broken muffler faced fines or refusal of service until they got the muffler fixed. A damaged muffler can reportedly cause a car trip to be noisy and uncomfortable.
-o0o-
We first heard of the "Sleeping with the enemy" in 1991 as the title of a psychological thriller movie starred by Julia Roberts and Patrick Bergin and directed by Joseph Ruben.
It was based on a novel of the same name by Nancy Price.
Roberts played a woman who escaped from her sadistic husband, from Cape Cod to Cedar Falls in Iowa, where she captured the attention of a kindly college drama teacher.
In the 1992 Philippine presidential elections, the late former House Speaker Ramon Mitra accused some of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) members who supported the candidacy of Lakas bet Fidel V. Ramos of "sleeping with the enemy".
Those who "cavorted" with FVR had earlier voted for Mitra to be the LDP's official standard bearer. FVR formed the Lakas, which later became a Lakas-NUCD, when he lost to Mitra in the party convention.
"Sleeping with the enemy" became a byword once again when Police Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza and suspected Abu Sayyaf member Renierlo Dongon were arrested in a checkpoint in Bohol recently.
They were reportedly trying to provide assistance to the remaining Abu members trapped in the province after being waylaid by government troopers when they sneaked in before the Holy Week.
Nobleza compromised her duties and responsibilities and loyalty to the country because of her love for the younger suspected terrorist.
Truly love conquers all.
--Vicente del Bosque
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- We congratulate the Iloilo City Council in the Philippines for putting an end to the abuses of motor vehicle owners who used modified mufflers that caused terrible noise, inconvenience, and irritation without any concern to the public.
Irked pedestrians and observers referred to vehicles using modified mufflers as "a devil's vehicles" and wished they disappeared in the roads soon.
It was learned that if the muffler had a hole, it could cause dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide to leak into the cabin of a vehicle.
The colorless, odorless gas was reportedly a product of the combustion process.
Back in 2013, based on a personal experience, I've noticed while staying outside a big mall in La Paz district, Iloilo City, where a large number of vehicles using modified mufflers passed by, that mild exposure to carbon monoxide could give me headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
EXPOSURE
In fact, health authorities have warned that a prolonged carbon monoxide exposure can lead to unconsciousness and death.
Kudos to the local legislature for recently passing an ordinance penned by Councilor Joshua Alim seeking to prohibit the “Selling and Using of Modified Mufflers of Public and Private Motor Vehicles in Iloilo City and Providing Penalties Thereof”.
Before Alim's ordinance was passed, many homeowners' associations, cities, restaurants, and apartment complexes in other cities have adopted laws against loud noises from defective mufflers.
Those who used a broken muffler faced fines or refusal of service until they got the muffler fixed. A damaged muffler can reportedly cause a car trip to be noisy and uncomfortable.
-o0o-
We first heard of the "Sleeping with the enemy" in 1991 as the title of a psychological thriller movie starred by Julia Roberts and Patrick Bergin and directed by Joseph Ruben.
It was based on a novel of the same name by Nancy Price.
Roberts played a woman who escaped from her sadistic husband, from Cape Cod to Cedar Falls in Iowa, where she captured the attention of a kindly college drama teacher.
In the 1992 Philippine presidential elections, the late former House Speaker Ramon Mitra accused some of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) members who supported the candidacy of Lakas bet Fidel V. Ramos of "sleeping with the enemy".
Those who "cavorted" with FVR had earlier voted for Mitra to be the LDP's official standard bearer. FVR formed the Lakas, which later became a Lakas-NUCD, when he lost to Mitra in the party convention.
"Sleeping with the enemy" became a byword once again when Police Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza and suspected Abu Sayyaf member Renierlo Dongon were arrested in a checkpoint in Bohol recently.
They were reportedly trying to provide assistance to the remaining Abu members trapped in the province after being waylaid by government troopers when they sneaked in before the Holy Week.
Nobleza compromised her duties and responsibilities and loyalty to the country because of her love for the younger suspected terrorist.
Truly love conquers all.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Panay, Negros 'too far' for Abu Sayyaf raid
"This fanaticism is what feeds terrorism. And this is precisely why Muslims must play an active role in opposing hate sermons and incitement to terrorism and extremism in their mosques."
--Otto Schily
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Panay and Negros islands will always be safe from terroristic attack as long as the country's intelligence network is accurate and effective.
The Abu Sayyaf terrorists who engaged Philippine troops in a bloody gunbattle in Bohol on April 11 were probably also on their way to sneak into other regions to terrorize and kidnap tourists planning to visit the beautiful beaches and resorts in the Visayas during the Holy Week.
But since they were waylaid by government soldiers in Bohol, they could no longer proceed to Cebu and probably in Negros and Panay islands where tens of thousands of foreign and domestic tourists had been staying there enjoying the summer vacation.
There will always be powerful military detachments prepared to foil their invasion.
Based on their number in Bohol, there was no way for these terrorists to even leave Bohol alive if the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) doubled their air, sea, and land reinforcements.
The numerically inferior terrorists would be massacred if they did no retreat and abandon their evil plans in the Visayas.
-o0o-
Although most members of the Iloilo City Council agreed in principle to submit themselves to a drug test as suggested by Councilor Plaridel Nava during their regular session on Monday, not all of them are happy with the idea that they would undergo such "degrading" examination.
"Ka degrading ina para sa amon as members of the legislature. Para lang ina sa mga priso kag applicants sa driver's license," one of them reportedly told his media friends
Nava believed that as elected public officials, they should set as good example by voluntarily submitting themselves to a drug test.
He was worried because Iloilo City had been tagged by no less than President Duterte as "the most shabulized" city in the Philippines and he probably wanted to disabuse the minds of the Doubting Thomases.
-o0o-
It was during my high school years in a Catholic institution in Jaro, Iloilo City in the Philippines where I was able to understand what Holy Week is all about in our Christian Living subject.
Holy Week or "Semana Santa", is the week preceding Easter and the final week of Lent.
It begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.
Holy Week includes Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday) and Good Friday, which, together with Holy Saturday, are known as the Triduum.
In 1969, before the revision of the liturgical calendar, Holy Week was the second week of Passiontide; in the current calendar, Passiontide is synonymous with Holy Week.
Christians commemorate the Passion of Christ, who died on Good Friday in reparation for the sins of mankind, and rose on Easter Sunday to give new life to all who believe.
Thus, while Holy Week is solemn and sorrowful, it also anticipates the joy of Easter through the recognition of God's goodness in sending His Son to die for our salvation.
The Days of Holy Week are Palm Sunday, Spy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday.
--Otto Schily
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Panay and Negros islands will always be safe from terroristic attack as long as the country's intelligence network is accurate and effective.
The Abu Sayyaf terrorists who engaged Philippine troops in a bloody gunbattle in Bohol on April 11 were probably also on their way to sneak into other regions to terrorize and kidnap tourists planning to visit the beautiful beaches and resorts in the Visayas during the Holy Week.
But since they were waylaid by government soldiers in Bohol, they could no longer proceed to Cebu and probably in Negros and Panay islands where tens of thousands of foreign and domestic tourists had been staying there enjoying the summer vacation.
There will always be powerful military detachments prepared to foil their invasion.
Based on their number in Bohol, there was no way for these terrorists to even leave Bohol alive if the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) doubled their air, sea, and land reinforcements.
The numerically inferior terrorists would be massacred if they did no retreat and abandon their evil plans in the Visayas.
-o0o-
Although most members of the Iloilo City Council agreed in principle to submit themselves to a drug test as suggested by Councilor Plaridel Nava during their regular session on Monday, not all of them are happy with the idea that they would undergo such "degrading" examination.
"Ka degrading ina para sa amon as members of the legislature. Para lang ina sa mga priso kag applicants sa driver's license," one of them reportedly told his media friends
Nava believed that as elected public officials, they should set as good example by voluntarily submitting themselves to a drug test.
He was worried because Iloilo City had been tagged by no less than President Duterte as "the most shabulized" city in the Philippines and he probably wanted to disabuse the minds of the Doubting Thomases.
-o0o-
It was during my high school years in a Catholic institution in Jaro, Iloilo City in the Philippines where I was able to understand what Holy Week is all about in our Christian Living subject.
Holy Week or "Semana Santa", is the week preceding Easter and the final week of Lent.
It begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.
Holy Week includes Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday) and Good Friday, which, together with Holy Saturday, are known as the Triduum.
In 1969, before the revision of the liturgical calendar, Holy Week was the second week of Passiontide; in the current calendar, Passiontide is synonymous with Holy Week.
Christians commemorate the Passion of Christ, who died on Good Friday in reparation for the sins of mankind, and rose on Easter Sunday to give new life to all who believe.
Thus, while Holy Week is solemn and sorrowful, it also anticipates the joy of Easter through the recognition of God's goodness in sending His Son to die for our salvation.
The Days of Holy Week are Palm Sunday, Spy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday.
Monday, March 20, 2017
Ilonggo solons not (yet) rubber stamps
"Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life."
--Donald Rumsfeld
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Even members of the Iloilo City Council are getting annoyed and embarrassed that Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has become the most favorite punching bag of President Rodrigo Duterte each time the president unleashed his irascible wrath against some Liberal Party (LP) bigwigs.
So alarmed and disturbed were the city aldermen and women that they are now willing to help Mabilog collate the city government's programs and/or accomplishments against illegal drugs and make a common stand.
They, too, must be hurting while seeing Mabilog reeling from absurd allegations that the city mayor, ranked No. 5 in the World Mayor two years ago, is a protector of merchants of prohibited substance.
Guided by an impermeable moral compass, the city councilors, led by Vice Mayor Jose III Espinosa, must have felt they could no longer afford to sit down and act like kibitzers while Mabilog was being pounded from pillar to post by a heavy bone-crusher.
-o0o-
We still have faith with our representatives from Western Visayas in the Philippines even if their independence was recently subjected into a microscopic sleuthing by some impatient constituents who thought their unanimous yes votes for death penalty was a tell tale sign of their implied subservience to the Duterte administration.
As if their acid test was not enough, our congressmen and women will again be tested in at least two major issues that will soon be tackled in congress: the impeachment cases versus President Rodrigo Duterte (already filed) and Vice President Leni Robredo (still being floated).
If they reject both impeachment cases (granting that an impeachment case will be officially filed against Robredo), their constituents will never badger them. Life must go on.
Ilonggos are known to always decry any attempt to destabilize the incumbent administration. If any of the two--Duterte and Robredo--will be removed from office, a power vacuum can't guarantee a sustained or immediate political and economic stability.
NORMAL
If government is on wobbly legs, life for Filipinos will not be normal.
Nobody would want to have this kind of environment especially if our priority is to provide our children with three square meals a day and send them to school.
If our solons will reject one impeachment and support another, their constituents will suspect that they are playing political favorites and are not taking their mandates seriously.
The Ilonggo constituents will be watching you, Reps. Sharon Garin (Ang Asosasyon Sang Manguguma Nga Bisaya-OWA Mangunguma Inc.); Atty. Jerry Trenas (Iloilo City); Richard Garin (Iloilo, 1st District); Arcadio Gorriceta (Iloilo, 2nd District); Atty. Arthur Defensor Jr. (Iloilo, 3rd District); Dr. Ferjenel Biron (Iloilo, 4th District); Raul Tupas (Iloilo, 5th District); and Maria Lucille Nava (Guimaras).
--Donald Rumsfeld
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Even members of the Iloilo City Council are getting annoyed and embarrassed that Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has become the most favorite punching bag of President Rodrigo Duterte each time the president unleashed his irascible wrath against some Liberal Party (LP) bigwigs.
So alarmed and disturbed were the city aldermen and women that they are now willing to help Mabilog collate the city government's programs and/or accomplishments against illegal drugs and make a common stand.
They, too, must be hurting while seeing Mabilog reeling from absurd allegations that the city mayor, ranked No. 5 in the World Mayor two years ago, is a protector of merchants of prohibited substance.
Guided by an impermeable moral compass, the city councilors, led by Vice Mayor Jose III Espinosa, must have felt they could no longer afford to sit down and act like kibitzers while Mabilog was being pounded from pillar to post by a heavy bone-crusher.
-o0o-
We still have faith with our representatives from Western Visayas in the Philippines even if their independence was recently subjected into a microscopic sleuthing by some impatient constituents who thought their unanimous yes votes for death penalty was a tell tale sign of their implied subservience to the Duterte administration.
As if their acid test was not enough, our congressmen and women will again be tested in at least two major issues that will soon be tackled in congress: the impeachment cases versus President Rodrigo Duterte (already filed) and Vice President Leni Robredo (still being floated).
If they reject both impeachment cases (granting that an impeachment case will be officially filed against Robredo), their constituents will never badger them. Life must go on.
Ilonggos are known to always decry any attempt to destabilize the incumbent administration. If any of the two--Duterte and Robredo--will be removed from office, a power vacuum can't guarantee a sustained or immediate political and economic stability.
NORMAL
If government is on wobbly legs, life for Filipinos will not be normal.
Nobody would want to have this kind of environment especially if our priority is to provide our children with three square meals a day and send them to school.
If our solons will reject one impeachment and support another, their constituents will suspect that they are playing political favorites and are not taking their mandates seriously.
The Ilonggo constituents will be watching you, Reps. Sharon Garin (Ang Asosasyon Sang Manguguma Nga Bisaya-OWA Mangunguma Inc.); Atty. Jerry Trenas (Iloilo City); Richard Garin (Iloilo, 1st District); Arcadio Gorriceta (Iloilo, 2nd District); Atty. Arthur Defensor Jr. (Iloilo, 3rd District); Dr. Ferjenel Biron (Iloilo, 4th District); Raul Tupas (Iloilo, 5th District); and Maria Lucille Nava (Guimaras).
Monday, March 13, 2017
Card reading system will eliminate overcharging
"When a company owns one precise thought in the consumer's mind, it sets the context for everything and there should be no distinction between brand, product, service and experience."
--Maurice Saatchi
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Back in May 1993 when the Panay Electric Company (PECO) was applying for a 25-year extension of franchise in the Iloilo City Council, among the demands of the committee on public services, environmental protection and committee on ecology, transportation, energy and public utilities from the power utility's top echelons during the public hearings was to put up an accurate meter reading system.
Among the central issues raised against PECO was the "astronomical" distribution and generations fees, and, of course, the "lack of proper meter reading system" that irked so many consumers, including then prominent businessman William Bayani, who filed a case against PECO.
For several weeks, PECO underwent intense grilling from Councilors German Gonzalez, Achilles Plagata, Rolando Dabao, Eduardo Laczi, and Perla Zulueta.
It was agreed that the meter reading system was necessary in order to provide the correct and accurate reading of the power consumed by the consumers and avoid overcharging.
APPROVE
The City Council approved PECO's application for extension of franchise. Under the law, it must get Congress' imprimtur after sailing through the local legislature.
Before PECO got endorsement from the City Council, it was bombarded with multitudes of complaints from various consumers groups in a series of public hearings.
A proposal to turn it into a people's cooperative had been torpedoed.
After 24 years, Councilor Joshua Alim, through a formal resolution, asked PECO to establish a “meter reading card system.”
Alim wanted to avoid confusion and complaints over the consumers' power consumption.
Alim wants PECO to post a meter reading card system to each consumer’s house where the monthly consumption is reflected and recorded.
CONSUMPTION
The system will help consumers to easily appraise his monthly consumption, make a comparison, and even file the necessary complaint if there are discrepancies before the issuance of a billing receipt.
Alim's ordinance has been referred to the city council’s committee on public utilities chaired by Councilor R Leonie Gerochi after hurdling the first reading, it was reported.
While the issue was being tackled in the City Council, PECO reportedly disclosed that it was actually trying to improve its metering system using the modern Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
“All readings are programmed to go directly to the computers of PECO without any actual meter readers needed on the field. This eliminates the human factor in meter reading and customers can fully rely on the accuracy of the billing,” said Mikel C. Afzelius, PECO’s corporate communications officer.
The first 1,000 “smart meters” will be installed this April 2017.
PECO is expected to again seek another extension of its franchise in 2017 and might again knock on the door of the City Council.
--Maurice Saatchi
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- Back in May 1993 when the Panay Electric Company (PECO) was applying for a 25-year extension of franchise in the Iloilo City Council, among the demands of the committee on public services, environmental protection and committee on ecology, transportation, energy and public utilities from the power utility's top echelons during the public hearings was to put up an accurate meter reading system.
Among the central issues raised against PECO was the "astronomical" distribution and generations fees, and, of course, the "lack of proper meter reading system" that irked so many consumers, including then prominent businessman William Bayani, who filed a case against PECO.
For several weeks, PECO underwent intense grilling from Councilors German Gonzalez, Achilles Plagata, Rolando Dabao, Eduardo Laczi, and Perla Zulueta.
It was agreed that the meter reading system was necessary in order to provide the correct and accurate reading of the power consumed by the consumers and avoid overcharging.
APPROVE
The City Council approved PECO's application for extension of franchise. Under the law, it must get Congress' imprimtur after sailing through the local legislature.
Before PECO got endorsement from the City Council, it was bombarded with multitudes of complaints from various consumers groups in a series of public hearings.
A proposal to turn it into a people's cooperative had been torpedoed.
After 24 years, Councilor Joshua Alim, through a formal resolution, asked PECO to establish a “meter reading card system.”
Alim wanted to avoid confusion and complaints over the consumers' power consumption.
Alim wants PECO to post a meter reading card system to each consumer’s house where the monthly consumption is reflected and recorded.
CONSUMPTION
The system will help consumers to easily appraise his monthly consumption, make a comparison, and even file the necessary complaint if there are discrepancies before the issuance of a billing receipt.
Alim's ordinance has been referred to the city council’s committee on public utilities chaired by Councilor R Leonie Gerochi after hurdling the first reading, it was reported.
While the issue was being tackled in the City Council, PECO reportedly disclosed that it was actually trying to improve its metering system using the modern Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
“All readings are programmed to go directly to the computers of PECO without any actual meter readers needed on the field. This eliminates the human factor in meter reading and customers can fully rely on the accuracy of the billing,” said Mikel C. Afzelius, PECO’s corporate communications officer.
The first 1,000 “smart meters” will be installed this April 2017.
PECO is expected to again seek another extension of its franchise in 2017 and might again knock on the door of the City Council.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Councilor Gerochi unfazed by criticism on 'Bato' resolution
"Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things."
-- Winston Churchill
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- I dropped a "thank you" note for Iloilo City Councilor R Leone "Boots" N. Gerochi through the Facebook messenger because that's the only way I could get in touch with him.
I told him I admire him for being such a broad-minded public official.
This was after he "shared" my article on his Facebook wall entitled, "Iloilo dads should get their hands off 'Bato' case" on February 2.
In that article, I criticized the Iloilo City Council for its "unanimous" resolution urging embattled Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa "to stay put" (the exact words I used).
The article stated that the resolution, penned by Councilor Joshua Alim, "may be wise and symptomatic but not necessary, to say the least." (READ: http://alexpvidal.blogspot.com/2017/01/iloilo-dads-should-get-their-hands-off.html)
VOTE
As among those who "voted" for the resolution, Atty. Gerochi would have sneered at the article. The lest he would have done, if he were myopic-minded, was to ignore it. He didn't.
By being sport and open-minded, he displayed a unique level of wisdom and understanding seldom seen among public officials today who are easily carried away by their emotions in a slightest media criticism.
Atty. Gerochi knew that the article was merely an opinion of a columnist or member of the Fourth Estate; and airing or expressing it in the free market of ideas like radio, TV, newspaper and blog falls within the ambit of freedom of the press and expression.
The city councilor knew that a public official is not supposed to bellyache and rant like a child if his acts are criticized or if the press chides him in relation to his functions and obligations in a public office.
Atty. Gerochi, son of well-respected criminal lawyer Romeo "Roming" Gerochi, our co-host in the original "Kape kag Isyu" cable TV program also aired "live" over RMN dyRI in 1996 together with Peter Jimenea, immediately caught my attention.
Here's one public servant who understands and respects the job of a journalist; a public official who is perceptive and not onion-skinned; a city official who knows how to handle and value constructive criticism.
BEAT
I started covering the Iloilo City Hall beat in 1989 during the turbulent reign of the late Mayor Rodolfo "Roding" Ganzon until 1999, thus I am not familiar with Atty. Gerochi, who became city councilor in 2010 when I was already in Canada.
In the Philippines in 2014, I recall that the late former Iloilo Press Club president Teddy Sumaray once mentioned to me Atty. Gerochi's name over a cup of coffee in the bakeshop of Iloilo City's Atrium Mall.
"Alex, there is one city councilor, a new breed of politician who I really admire," Mr. Sumaray volunteered. "He is the son of pare Roming and is also a lawyer. When I visited pare Roming in his office recently, this young lawyer was very polite and accommodating. I have not experienced the kind of politeness shown by any son of my friends in a very long time. He is a man to watch. Basi mag meyor ni sa pila ka adlaw (He could be a future mayor)."
We also trust that Atty. Gerochi's colleagues, especially the senior members of the city council, won't take the criticism of their job as public servants personally, and won't consider the press as enemy but partner in nation building.
-- Winston Churchill
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- I dropped a "thank you" note for Iloilo City Councilor R Leone "Boots" N. Gerochi through the Facebook messenger because that's the only way I could get in touch with him.
I told him I admire him for being such a broad-minded public official.
This was after he "shared" my article on his Facebook wall entitled, "Iloilo dads should get their hands off 'Bato' case" on February 2.
In that article, I criticized the Iloilo City Council for its "unanimous" resolution urging embattled Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa "to stay put" (the exact words I used).
The article stated that the resolution, penned by Councilor Joshua Alim, "may be wise and symptomatic but not necessary, to say the least." (READ: http://alexpvidal.blogspot.com/2017/01/iloilo-dads-should-get-their-hands-off.html)
VOTE
As among those who "voted" for the resolution, Atty. Gerochi would have sneered at the article. The lest he would have done, if he were myopic-minded, was to ignore it. He didn't.
By being sport and open-minded, he displayed a unique level of wisdom and understanding seldom seen among public officials today who are easily carried away by their emotions in a slightest media criticism.
Atty. Gerochi knew that the article was merely an opinion of a columnist or member of the Fourth Estate; and airing or expressing it in the free market of ideas like radio, TV, newspaper and blog falls within the ambit of freedom of the press and expression.
The city councilor knew that a public official is not supposed to bellyache and rant like a child if his acts are criticized or if the press chides him in relation to his functions and obligations in a public office.
Atty. Gerochi, son of well-respected criminal lawyer Romeo "Roming" Gerochi, our co-host in the original "Kape kag Isyu" cable TV program also aired "live" over RMN dyRI in 1996 together with Peter Jimenea, immediately caught my attention.
Here's one public servant who understands and respects the job of a journalist; a public official who is perceptive and not onion-skinned; a city official who knows how to handle and value constructive criticism.
BEAT
I started covering the Iloilo City Hall beat in 1989 during the turbulent reign of the late Mayor Rodolfo "Roding" Ganzon until 1999, thus I am not familiar with Atty. Gerochi, who became city councilor in 2010 when I was already in Canada.
In the Philippines in 2014, I recall that the late former Iloilo Press Club president Teddy Sumaray once mentioned to me Atty. Gerochi's name over a cup of coffee in the bakeshop of Iloilo City's Atrium Mall.
"Alex, there is one city councilor, a new breed of politician who I really admire," Mr. Sumaray volunteered. "He is the son of pare Roming and is also a lawyer. When I visited pare Roming in his office recently, this young lawyer was very polite and accommodating. I have not experienced the kind of politeness shown by any son of my friends in a very long time. He is a man to watch. Basi mag meyor ni sa pila ka adlaw (He could be a future mayor)."
We also trust that Atty. Gerochi's colleagues, especially the senior members of the city council, won't take the criticism of their job as public servants personally, and won't consider the press as enemy but partner in nation building.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Iloilo dads should get their hands off 'Bato' case
"There are three major social issues that this country is struggling with: education, poverty, and drugs. Two of them we talk about, and one of them we don't."
-- Steven Soderbergh
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- The night before the Iloilo City Council in the Philippines unanimously passed a resolution in its regular session on January 30 "urging" Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to stay put, President Rodrigo Duterte announced in a haste press conference in Manila that he had rejected Dela Rosa's resignation.
Had Duterte let Bato go and announced it in the press conference on January 29, the Iloilo City councilors would have nothing to "urge" from the top cop in as far as his stint in the PNP was concerned.
Either proponents would revise the resolution from "urging Bato not to resign" or to "urging President Duterte to reinstate Bato."
Or they would forget about the Bato resolution and remove it from the regular session's agenda.
NECESSARY
Was the Bato resolution, penned by Councilor Joshua Alim, necessary?
It may be wise and symptomatic but not necessary, to say the least.
As a national figure, Bato has been the subject of intense discussions in the House of Representatives with some solons calling for his resignation in the light of the kidnapping and murder of a Korean businessman perpetrated by policemen inside the Camp Crame.
Newspapers, news websites, TV networks have been tackling issues about Bato. Even during the Miss Universe Pageant, Bato was among the "top grossers" in the news and social media.
Bato's fate is too broad for a local legislature like the Iloilo City Council.
Too many cooks will spoil the broth.
Instead of joining the fray in complicated national issues, the city council will look good and earn more pogi points if it will instead focus on local issues.
DINAGYANG
Like an "urgent" resolution commending government agencies, city and provincial officials, private individuals, participating schools, sponsors, choreographers, among other unsung heroes responsible for the successful staging of the just-concluded 2017 Dinagyang Festival.
There's a myriad of socio-economic, health, business, education, political and environmental issues that affect the life of local populace.
More pressing issues like the success or failure of smoking ban on public places, malnutrition and housing programs in villages, the reported increase in number of AIDS, murder, and rape cases.
The Department of Tourism's (DOT) efforts to push for chartered flights between Taiwan and the Iloilo International Airport in the town of Cabatuan, Paraw Regatta 2017 preparations, Iloilo City's aim to become "City of Excellence", real estate boom, investment and business expansion and opportunities, among other local issues.
Meanwhile, if there was one thing significant about the Gen. Bato Dela Rosa resolution, it was the city council's avowed display of solidarity behind the Duterte administration's "strong campaign against illegal drugs and criminalities."
-- Steven Soderbergh
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW YORK CITY -- The night before the Iloilo City Council in the Philippines unanimously passed a resolution in its regular session on January 30 "urging" Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to stay put, President Rodrigo Duterte announced in a haste press conference in Manila that he had rejected Dela Rosa's resignation.
Had Duterte let Bato go and announced it in the press conference on January 29, the Iloilo City councilors would have nothing to "urge" from the top cop in as far as his stint in the PNP was concerned.
Either proponents would revise the resolution from "urging Bato not to resign" or to "urging President Duterte to reinstate Bato."
Or they would forget about the Bato resolution and remove it from the regular session's agenda.
NECESSARY
Was the Bato resolution, penned by Councilor Joshua Alim, necessary?
It may be wise and symptomatic but not necessary, to say the least.
As a national figure, Bato has been the subject of intense discussions in the House of Representatives with some solons calling for his resignation in the light of the kidnapping and murder of a Korean businessman perpetrated by policemen inside the Camp Crame.
Newspapers, news websites, TV networks have been tackling issues about Bato. Even during the Miss Universe Pageant, Bato was among the "top grossers" in the news and social media.
Bato's fate is too broad for a local legislature like the Iloilo City Council.
Too many cooks will spoil the broth.
Instead of joining the fray in complicated national issues, the city council will look good and earn more pogi points if it will instead focus on local issues.
DINAGYANG
Like an "urgent" resolution commending government agencies, city and provincial officials, private individuals, participating schools, sponsors, choreographers, among other unsung heroes responsible for the successful staging of the just-concluded 2017 Dinagyang Festival.
There's a myriad of socio-economic, health, business, education, political and environmental issues that affect the life of local populace.
More pressing issues like the success or failure of smoking ban on public places, malnutrition and housing programs in villages, the reported increase in number of AIDS, murder, and rape cases.
The Department of Tourism's (DOT) efforts to push for chartered flights between Taiwan and the Iloilo International Airport in the town of Cabatuan, Paraw Regatta 2017 preparations, Iloilo City's aim to become "City of Excellence", real estate boom, investment and business expansion and opportunities, among other local issues.
Meanwhile, if there was one thing significant about the Gen. Bato Dela Rosa resolution, it was the city council's avowed display of solidarity behind the Duterte administration's "strong campaign against illegal drugs and criminalities."
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Iloilo City Councilor Ganzon 'usurps' functions of mayor, cops
“To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false titles, they call empire; and where they make a desert, they call it peace.”
―Tacitus
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW JERSEY -- It's the job of the police to warn gangsters and their leaders not to create mayhem in public. Or round them up.
They are paid to run after hooligans and other troublemakers in society.
To maintain peace and order, police are tasked to neutralize any group engaged in criminal and terroristic activities.
If peace and order worsens, the city mayor may order the police to safeguard the civilians and protect government properties.
Police are mandated to use force (but not excessively) if the situation warrants.
Although they are also trained for physical confrontation, police may negotiate for peace to avert a spill over of violence and bloodshed.
Under the Local Government Code, the executive department, or the city mayor and provincial governor, with law enforcement at their disposal, wield awesome power.
FEUD
In Iloilo City in the Philippines, a city councilor, "worried" by the increasing dangers posed by feuding gangsters in the metropolis, wanted to act both as city mayor and police.
As chair of the city council committee on police matters, Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon has asked Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) acting director, Senior Supt. Remus Zacharias Canieso, to provide him with police escorts as he planned to meet leaders of the 25 to 32 gangs operating in Iloilo City.
Ganzon wanted to personally "appeal" to the rowdy teenagers to stop creating trouble. He also wanted to talk to their parents. Nice.
In hindsight, Ganzon's gesture deserves an accolade. He did not ask to be paid for the heroic act. What's wrong if he wants to volunteer for the field work?
We were surprised though that nobody from among Ganzon's colleagues reminded him during their regular session last January 9 that dealing with problems on street gangs was the job of Senior Supt. Canieso and his cops.
RISK
Members of the legislative branch gobble up their time in debates to hammer out quality resolutions and ordinances.
They aren't elected to risk their lives marching on lairs of street ruffians and strike a deal with minions of the underworld.
Only in Iloilo City where a member of the local legislative body appointed himself as "peace emissary", bypassing the executive office or city mayor.
He also "demoted" himself to act as foot patrol cop (with escorts to boot) for a tete-a-tete with bedraggled youngsters.
Because Ganzon reportedly plans to run for city mayor in 2019 (his supporters believe he will win if his opponent is his one-time tormentor, Vice Mayor Joe Espinosa III), Ilonggos should expect to see him perform more extra jobs that would boost his public image and unwittingly "usurp" the functions of police and city mayor "in aid of legislation."
―Tacitus
By Alex P. Vidal
NEW JERSEY -- It's the job of the police to warn gangsters and their leaders not to create mayhem in public. Or round them up.
They are paid to run after hooligans and other troublemakers in society.
To maintain peace and order, police are tasked to neutralize any group engaged in criminal and terroristic activities.
If peace and order worsens, the city mayor may order the police to safeguard the civilians and protect government properties.
Police are mandated to use force (but not excessively) if the situation warrants.
Although they are also trained for physical confrontation, police may negotiate for peace to avert a spill over of violence and bloodshed.
Under the Local Government Code, the executive department, or the city mayor and provincial governor, with law enforcement at their disposal, wield awesome power.
FEUD
In Iloilo City in the Philippines, a city councilor, "worried" by the increasing dangers posed by feuding gangsters in the metropolis, wanted to act both as city mayor and police.
As chair of the city council committee on police matters, Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon has asked Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) acting director, Senior Supt. Remus Zacharias Canieso, to provide him with police escorts as he planned to meet leaders of the 25 to 32 gangs operating in Iloilo City.
Ganzon wanted to personally "appeal" to the rowdy teenagers to stop creating trouble. He also wanted to talk to their parents. Nice.
In hindsight, Ganzon's gesture deserves an accolade. He did not ask to be paid for the heroic act. What's wrong if he wants to volunteer for the field work?
We were surprised though that nobody from among Ganzon's colleagues reminded him during their regular session last January 9 that dealing with problems on street gangs was the job of Senior Supt. Canieso and his cops.
RISK
Members of the legislative branch gobble up their time in debates to hammer out quality resolutions and ordinances.
They aren't elected to risk their lives marching on lairs of street ruffians and strike a deal with minions of the underworld.
Only in Iloilo City where a member of the local legislative body appointed himself as "peace emissary", bypassing the executive office or city mayor.
He also "demoted" himself to act as foot patrol cop (with escorts to boot) for a tete-a-tete with bedraggled youngsters.
Because Ganzon reportedly plans to run for city mayor in 2019 (his supporters believe he will win if his opponent is his one-time tormentor, Vice Mayor Joe Espinosa III), Ilonggos should expect to see him perform more extra jobs that would boost his public image and unwittingly "usurp" the functions of police and city mayor "in aid of legislation."
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