TIGHT ROPE
WITH MODESTO P. SA-ONOY At the rate people are criticizing the poor performance of the Bacolod police office one is inclined to believe that Mayor Evelio Leonardia made a fatal error in selecting Sr. Supt. Celestino Guara as the Bacolod police director. A columnist in a local daily was bold enough to say that Guara is the choice of Leonardia because Guara is an acquiescent police officer and that is a plus factor because Guara looks the other way when a gambling group the columnist links to those close the mayor is involved. The almost daily arrest of bet collectors for the illegal numbers game is nothing but a zarzuela, a ham show intended as a cover-up of the bigger operation. They are arrested but the financiers go scot free. If this were true then Guara’s acquiescence compensates for his incapability to bring peace in Bacolod. The series of hold-ups and kidnappings are indications not so much of the economic conditions but of police incapability to bring fear into the hearts of criminals and make them think several times from committing the crime here in Bacolod. If they know the police will get them criminals would rather bring their activities elsewhere than risk getting axed here. Councilor Elcid Familiaran has to ask the NBI has to intervene in the campaign to put an end to illegal gambling. This is a purely police matter but the fact that the NBI has to be called in tells a lot about the competence of the police and gives credence to the suspicion that had been going the rounds of gloved hands for the mayor’s favorite. Familiaran I think knows more than he is willing to say but his action speaks of his lack of either competence or will of Guara to enforce the law. The only way for this suspicion to go away is for the police to do its work but will Leonardia let go of Guara? Mayor Leonardia may not have complete control of the police under our laws but he has the first responsibility over the campaign against criminality that is why he is given the right to choose the police chief who can do the job. If the police chief is not up to the job, Mayor Leonardia has the duty to look for his replacement because no matter how the mayor washes his hands, the stench of criminality, whether solved or not will be his and not Guara’s. The police are often designated to insure peace and order but as of this moment Bacolod has little peace but plenty of disorder. The recent spate of hold-ups, robberies in houses and apartments, the thieveries and the car smashing are not as yet epidemic, though deplorable and to some extent we rationalize them as part of a growing city and the rising number of the unemployed. These are not tolerable but we can understand the utter lack of police manpower and resources. What is deplorable is the disorder in the inner city. I need not point out how disorderly the traffic in Bacolod is, how dirty many of the barangays and the streets are and why enterprising citizens have taken over the sidewalks and the streets. These are not the result of police incapability or lack of resources but the product of failure of leadership and determination to enforce the law. I have time and again cited many sidewalks that have been converted into stalls, eateries, fish-drying area, repair shops, maintenance garages, drinking areas, and even dwellings. This does not include the conversion of sidewalks into garbage dumps laces for afternoon and evening mahjong and card games. It is usual to see the streets used as extension for the drinking holes and in the process they clog traffic. The case in point is the drinking hole at corner of San Sebastian and Araneta. Policemen and city employees patronize that drinking and eating place as if it is normal for a business to takeover a third of the street and since that is a busy one the traffic naturally snarls. Add the use of the other side for parking of motorcycle of an appliance store which does not have its own parking space as required by the building code and we have an example of a city in disorder. Of course, the city’s kings of the road are clear examples of a disordered city. They stop to take or disembark passengers, right at the middle of the street. We cannot blame the passengers because they alight or get in wherever the jeep stops. Take a look at the sidewalks. Pedestrians are forced to take the streets because the sidewalk had been taken over. When they take the street, they contribute to the slowing down of traffic. We can cite numerous illustrations of disorder. The sad part is that city officials are either incompetent to deal with these problems or they simply don’t care or worse, they are afraid of the violators of the ordinance.* Visayan Daily Star
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At the rate people are criticizing the poor performance of the Bacolod police office one is inclined to believe that Mayor Evelio Leonardia made a fatal error in selecting Sr. Supt. Celestino Guara as the Bacolod police director.
A columnist in a local daily was bold enough to say that Guara is the choice of Leonardia because Guara is an acquiescent police officer and that is a plus factor because Guara looks the other way when a gambling group the columnist links to those close the mayor is involved. The almost daily arrest of bet collectors for the illegal numbers game is nothing but a zarzuela, a ham show intended as a cover-up of the bigger operation. They are arrested but the financiers go scot free. If this were true then Guara’s acquiescence compensates for his incapability to bring peace in Bacolod. The series of hold-ups and kidnappings are indications not so much of the economic conditions but of police incapability to bring fear into the hearts of criminals and make them think several times from committing the crime here in Bacolod. If they know the police will get them criminals would rather bring their activities elsewhere than risk getting axed here. Councilor Elcid Familiaran has to ask the NBI has to intervene in the campaign to put an end to illegal gambling. This is a purely police matter but the fact that the NBI has to be called in tells a lot about the competence of the police and gives credence to the suspicion that had been going the rounds of gloved hands for the mayor’s favorite. Familiaran I think knows more than he is willing to say but his action speaks of his lack of either competence or will of Guara to enforce the law. The only way for this suspicion to go away is for the police to do its work but will Leonardia let go of Guara? Mayor Leonardia may not have complete control of the police under our laws but he has the first responsibility over the campaign against criminality that is why he is given the right to choose the police chief who can do the job. If the police chief is not up to the job, Mayor Leonardia has the duty to look for his replacement because no matter how the mayor washes his hands, the stench of criminality, whether solved or not will be his and not Guara’s. The police are often designated to insure peace and order but as of this moment Bacolod has little peace but plenty of disorder. The recent spate of hold-ups, robberies in houses and apartments, the thieveries and the car smashing are not as yet epidemic, though deplorable and to some extent we rationalize them as part of a growing city and the rising number of the unemployed. These are not tolerable but we can understand the utter lack of police manpower and resources. What is deplorable is the disorder in the inner city. I need not point out how disorderly the traffic in Bacolod is, how dirty many of the barangays and the streets are and why enterprising citizens have taken over the sidewalks and the streets. These are not the result of police incapability or lack of resources but the product of failure of leadership and determination to enforce the law. I have time and again cited many sidewalks that have been converted into stalls, eateries, fish-drying area, repair shops, maintenance garages, drinking areas, and even dwellings. This does not include the conversion of sidewalks into garbage dumps laces for afternoon and evening mahjong and card games. It is usual to see the streets used as extension for the drinking holes and in the process they clog traffic. The case in point is the drinking hole at corner of San Sebastian and Araneta. Policemen and city employees patronize that drinking and eating place as if it is normal for a business to takeover a third of the street and since that is a busy one the traffic naturally snarls. Add the use of the other side for parking of motorcycle of an appliance store which does not have its own parking space as required by the building code and we have an example of a city in disorder. Of course, the city’s kings of the road are clear examples of a disordered city. They stop to take or disembark passengers, right at the middle of the street. We cannot blame the passengers because they alight or get in wherever the jeep stops. Take a look at the sidewalks. Pedestrians are forced to take the streets because the sidewalk had been taken over. When they take the street, they contribute to the slowing down of traffic. We can cite numerous illustrations of disorder. The sad part is that city officials are either incompetent to deal with these problems or they simply don’t care or worse, they are afraid of the violators of the ordinance.* Visayan D The Philippine Councilors’ League of the Philippines will hold a three-day capability building activity in Olongapo City starting today that will be attended by the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City.
The 14 SP members of Bacolod will head for the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in Olongapo City today for the Continuing Local Legislative Education program that will run until Friday. They are Councilors El Cid Familiaran, Archie Baribar, Catalino Alisbo, Dindo Ramos, Sonya Verdeflor, Caesar Distrito, Homer Bais, Roberto Rojas, Em Legapi-Ang, Elmer Sy, Al Victor Espino, Carl Lopez, Diosdado Valenzuela and Kevin Daniel Ramos. Local Legislative and Quasi-Judicial functions will be discussed by Enrique de la Cruz, SP member of Bulacan, and the highlights of the R.A. 7160 or the Local Government Code will be presented by an official of the Department of Interior and Local Government in Region III. The activity is part of the PCL’s capability building program aimed at making them more effective and efficient. The guests of honor are Olongapo City Mayor Bong Gordon, SBMA Administrator, Armand Arreza, and a senator. The participants will also have an on-site visit to government projects and sharing of best practices on innovative local government program and legislation.*CGS CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will also conduct operations and apprehensions against those involve in the illegal numbers games, especially jai alai, which is now rampant in Bacolod and in Negros Occidental.
NBI-Bacolod head, lawyer Mamerto Cortez, said their Manila office has given him the go-signal to apprehend all operators, financiers, coordinators and people involved in jai alai operations in the entire Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City. In Bacolod City, a resolution sponsored by Councilor Elcid Familiaran designated the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and NBI as lead agencies to conduct operations in the apprehension of those involved in jai alai and other illegal gambling. However Cortez clarified that it is still the PNP, which is the lead agency as far as illegal gambling is concerned. The NBI will only operate if there is an order from the higher office to conduct an operation. Cortez also divulged that have already determined their targets, referring to big and small fishes in the jai alai operation in the province and in the city but would not identify them pending operation. COUNCILOR El Cid Familiaran wanted Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia to take decisive action against the growing operations of jai alai.
He made this call through his resolution, following complaints that jai alai and illegal numbers games continue to proliferate in the city. The Bacolod City Police Office has submitted their Performance Report to the City Council, which showed that in June to October 2010, BCPO had apprehended 77 bet collectors. he police initially identified four jai alai operators in July, later increased the number to eight and now pegged the number of jai alai operators in the city to eleven as of November. Based on BCPO records, Familiaran identified the codename of these operators as Speed, Dalisay, La Cesta, Buenas, PBA, NBA Sports, Deo Grande, Proton, Queen, Bulls’eye and Detect. Familiaran expressed dissatisfaction with BCPO’s performance operatives to clamp down jai alai operations. With only 77 apprehensions within June to October, the police hardly apprehend more than two violators in two days, said Familiaran. The City Council has already passed two resolutions that are relative to the campaign against jai alai operation in the city. He urged the City’s Chief Executive to enforce both the national and local laws relative to the illegal operation of jai alai in the city. By Carla N. Canet Sun.Star Bacolod COUNCILOR El Cid Familiaran wanted Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia to take decisive action against the growing operations of jai alai.
He made this call through his resolution, following complaints that jai alai and illegal numbers games continue to proliferate in the city. he police initially identified four jai alai operators in July, later increased the number to eight and now pegged the number of jai alai operators in the city to eleven as of November. Based on BCPO records, Familiaran identified the codename of these operators as Speed, Dalisay, La Cesta, Buenas, PBA, NBA Sports, Deo Grande, Proton, Queen, Bulls’eye and Detect. Familiaran expressed dissatisfaction with BCPO’s performance operatives to clamp down jai alai operations. With only 77 apprehensions within June to October, the police hardly apprehend more than two violators in two days, said Familiaran. The City Council has already passed two resolutions that are relative to the campaign against jai alai operation in the city. He urged the City’s Chief Executive to enforce both the national and local laws relative to the illegal operation of jai alai in the city. Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on November 24, 2010. The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has assured the Sipalay City government that they will pay their old account amounting to P4,107, 11.41 representing its more than two years of unpaid rentals of the dredging machine.
Councilor El Cid Familiaran, acting presiding officer at the SP session, said that they were really sorry for the delays in the payment of rentals. This account was the overdue rentals of the Bacolod City government of the dredging machine of Sipalay City government when it leased it to dredge the Banago creek and other areas at the height of the complaint of the Bacolod Anti-Baha Alliance (BAHA) whose houses mostly at Sta. Clara Subdivision are regularly being flooded when it rains. Familiaran said that if only they were privy of this obligation, they could have acted as early as possible. Councilor Archie Baribar even expressed his misgivings when he was allegedly being blamed for the delays in the processing of payment because he was still studying the matter. In front of the Sipalay officials, Baribar said had it been brought to the attention of the council earlier, “we could have paid the Sipalay City Government as fast as we paid Villarosa. Everything is new to us that we have debts with Sipalay.” “I should not have minded that I was being blamed for this. But I was confronted with a big lie on my lap that we can’t pay Sipalay because I am reviewing it and it’s not true,” he said. Baribar said he was not involved in the delays of the payment. “What happened does not look best of our manners. I am ashamed that we have not paid them and gave premium importance to some other accounts,” he said. Councilor Al Victor Espino said the funds are not a problem. Let the City Legal Office make a report on this and for the Executive to make a request for authority to sign the Compromise Agreement, he said. The City Legal Office was being blamed for not informing the SP about the problem. Councilor Roberto Rojas, chairman of the Task Force BAHA, said that the funds are not a problem because there was a P10-million allocation for the clearing of the waterways and activities that are in line with flood control program of the city. Councilor Dindo Ramos said that since there is a case on this, the SP could not act on this unless there is a compromise agreement that is reached by both parties. On February 2, 2008, the City of Bacolod entered into an Equipment Rental contract/contract of lease with the City of Sipalay, leasing the latter’s dredging machine. Per resolution No. 941, Series of 2007, the Sanggunian of Bacolod has authorized the City Mayor to sign the said lease contract. In the same manner, by way of Resolution No. 188, series of 2008, the SP ratified the contract signed by the City Mayor. It was expressly provided in the contract that the City of Bacolod will pay lease rentals of P3,000 per hour, payable on a weekly basis.* By Danny B. Dangcalan Negros Daily Bulletin The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has assured the Sipalay City government that they will pay their old account amounting to P4,107, 11.41 representing its more than two years of unpaid rentals of the dredging machine.
Councilor El Cid Familiaran, acting presiding officer at the SP session, said that they were really sorry for the delays in the payment of rentals. This account was the overdue rentals of the Bacolod City government of the dredging machine of Sipalay City government when it leased it to dredge the Banago creek and other areas at the height of the complaint of the Bacolod Anti-Baha Alliance (BAHA) whose houses mostly at Sta. Clara Subdivision are regularly being flooded when it rains. Familiaran said that if only they were privy of this obligation, they could have acted as early as possible. Councilor Archie Baribar even expressed his misgivings when he was allegedly being blamed for the delays in the processing of payment because he was still studying the matter. In front of the Sipalay officials, Baribar said had it been brought to the attention of the council earlier, “we could have paid the Sipalay City Government as fast as we paid Villarosa. Everything is new to us that we have debts with Sipalay.” “I should not have minded that I was being blamed for this. But I was confronted with a big lie on my lap that we can’t pay Sipalay because I am reviewing it and it’s not true,” he said. Baribar said he was not involved in the delays of the payment. “What happened does not look best of our manners. I am ashamed that we have not paid them and gave premium importance to some other accounts,” he said. Councilor Al Victor Espino said the funds are not a problem. Let the City Legal Office make a report on this and for the Executive to make a request for authority to sign the Compromise Agreement, he said. The City Legal Office was being blamed for not informing the SP about the problem. Councilor Roberto Rojas, chairman of the Task Force BAHA, said that the funds are not a problem because there was a P10-million allocation for the clearing of the waterways and activities that are in line with flood control program of the city. Councilor Dindo Ramos said that since there is a case on this, the SP could not act on this unless there is a compromise agreement that is reached by both parties. On February 2, 2008, the City of Bacolod entered into an Equipment Rental contract/contract of lease with the City of Sipalay, leasing the latter’s dredging machine. Per resolution No. 941, Series of 2007, the Sanggunian of Bacolod has authorized the City Mayor to sign the said lease contract. In the same manner, by way of Resolution No. 188, series of 2008, the SP ratified the contract signed by the City Mayor. It was expressly provided in the contract that the City of Bacolod will pay lease rentals of P3,000 per hour, payable on a weekly basis.* By Danny B. Dangcalan Negros Daily Bulletin As adopted son of Bacolod City, the victory of Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is also the victory of Negrenses. Several areas were installed with wide screens by the Bacolod City government for people to enjoy watching for free the blow-by-blow account on the fight of their idol against Mexican Antonio Margarito. Gymnasiums and the BAYS Center were all jampacked where people grawled everytime Pacman gave a blow to Margarito.
Right after his victory, Manny told reporters: "I prayed hard for this. I weighed 144.6 pounds only. Am satisfied and happy, most of all to God who gives me strength. I dedicate to my fellow Filipinos for their support, and also to the people who love boxing." Manny will have a concert tomorrow, Tuesday, November 16 at Lake Tahoe. Bacolod Cong. Anthony Golez said, "in the Philippines and all over the world, their clock stopped ticking, wars halted, activities suspended to watch how a great Filipino boxer fought and how he showed his unmatched sportsmanship, and respect for his opponent in boxing. We are proud as a nation to have with us a man whose presence and spirit has inspired humankind and has united people in a common ideal that nothing is impossible under an unwavering faith and determination. May we pray for more success and more blessings for this humble Filipino whom I am almost certain can be an instrument to make our Philippines reach its long awaited destination of political and economic stability. Mabuhay Ka, Manny!!! Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson -Pacquiao is the world’s greatest. He is the world’s champ not just the Filipino champ. City Administrator Dr. Rogelio Balo: MANNY IS A PHENOMENON, A true gem. His achievements in boxing place our country in the world map and make us proud to be Filipinos. Councilor Ceasar Distrito: "Manny Pacquiao, as expected, brought again pride and honor to Filipinos all over the world. His victory once agains reflects Filipinos’ resilience and endurance to trials and troubles. Just imagine the towering height of Margarito against Manny, and he still came out much taller!" Councilor El Cid Familiaran: "Manny has a golden heart. He is not for a knock out, he just want to win. He wants to stop the game on the 10th round by looking at the referee." There was no untoward incident even in the identified hot areas, before, during and after Manny’s fight according to the military. Lt Col. Ramil Bitong, battalion commander, 11 IB in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental said, everybody was for Manny. We gathered the soldiers and the adjacent neighborhood for the live telecast. Pacquiao is once again a hero. His victory boosted our morale and exhalted the Filipinos in the eyes of the world. Lt Col. Pio Dinioso, battalion commander, 79th IB in Sta Catalina, Negros Oriental: "Our soldiers are proud of Master Sergeant Pacquiao’s victory. He is one of our own, and also a staunch peace supporter. The troops here continued their nomal security stance during the fight, like Pacman, who doesn’t drop his guard at all times. Major Edgardo Amorea, army’s PIO, 302nd Infantry Brigade in Tanjay, Negros Oriental: "Yes, it’s another victory for us Filipinos. So far, as of this time, our area relatively remains calm and peaceful". Lt Col Isabelo delos Reyes, CMO, 303rd Infantry Brigade, Negros Occidental: "We expect that Pacman will really win. But we long for his fight with Mayweather-Black American boxer by next year. No reported untoward incident here during the fight of Pacman." As usual, all kinds of transportation business were halted while Pacman was in the ring. Customers in the eateries were glued before their TV sets. People really enjoyed the victory of Pacman, an adopted son of Bacolod City.* by: Edith Colmo Negros Daily Bulleti The Congressional Committee on Local Government has unanimously approved House Bill 2999 during the its hearing yesterday of the 15th Congress 1st Regular Session.
Introduced by Representative Anthony Rolando T. Golez, Jr., the EXPLANATORY NOTE states that: The 1987 Philippine Constitution has established the requirement of one (1) district representative for every 250,000 residents in a local government unit, be it in a city or province. This can be logically interpreted that the Constitution wants to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of public service to the community. Bacolod City with a 2007 Census population of 499,497 and a projected 2010 population of 537,942, deserves two (2) representatives to provide efficient and effective public service to their respective districts. In view of the foregoing analysis and interpretation of relevant data, we have reached a conclusion validating Bacolod City to meet the criteria to have two (2) legislative districts instead of one (1). Golez said, am glad that the proposed bill has passed the committee level and will be scheduled for debate on the plenary. Hopefully, it will be approved in the House very soon. The move to redistrict our city will benefit our people and our city economically. Aside from Cong. Golez, Bacolod City officials present during the hearing were led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson, with Councilors Em Ang, Homer Bais, Al Espino, Dindo Ramos, Carl Lopez, and Ceasar Distrito, City Legal officer Joselito Bayatan, and City Administrator Dr. Rogelio Balo. Councilor Ceasar Distrito: it was surprising that it passed with the unanimous support from the committee on local government although from the start I have no doubt that the bill dividing Bacolod City into 2 congressional districts will be passed because all the necessary requirements are there. It will be to the advantage of the people of Bacolod to have additional representation in Congress. It will also give us additional projects that could help infrastructure development, propel more economic development in the city and province. According to Cong. Arnaiz, chair of the committee, they are expecting that the same will be approved in the plenary before congress will go on recess. Councilor Em Ang: "Am happy about the approval at the committee level. This is all for the good of the city. 100% increase in fund allocation for the city and 2 congressmen instead of just one working for the constituency, meaning better delivery of basic services." Councilor El Cid Familiaran: Like in the sanggunian, the first reading is presentation of title of the bill. At the second reading, Cong. Golez will have to defend it. However, I am hoping it will push through. If approved, there will be 16 councilors in the SP session, but only one mayor and one vice mayor, with two congressmen. This is favorable to us because our scope as to the number of constituents to attend to is already limited." Councilor Sonya Verdeflor: the division of Bacolod into two districts must be carefully done to ensure that the division is in accordance with the requirements under the Local Government Code, must be equal, contiguous, and no gerrymandering. Bobby Montelibano, former President, MBCCI: "Yes, we had indorsed it before. Legally, Bacolod is qualified in population and area. It will bring in double the budget into the city and representation. City Administrator Dr. Rogelio Balo: The committee on local government with more than 20 members headed by Cong. George Arnaiz unanimously approved for indorsement to congress the redistricting of Bacolod. Prominent representatives who made good remarks were Rufus Rodriguez, Salvador Escudero III, Jerry Treñas, and Sarmiento. There was no single opposition." Vice Mayor Thaddy Sayson said, "It was recommended by the committee for second reading. Based on the findings of the committee, we have passed all the requirements." From Batasan after the congressional committee hearing, Mayor Leonardia went straight to the airport for his trip to the US as member of Team Pacquiao on Sunday’s Pacquiao-Margarito bout in Texas.* By Edith B. Colmo Negros |
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