Kapihan de ZamboangaBy Hader Glang
On branding Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City
Let me start my new column by thanking first fellow journalists and other media practitioners who honored our invitation to the launching of "Kapihan de Zamboanga" last Thursday afternoon, September 27, 2007, at A Taste of Asia (Atoa) Bistro, Veterans Ave., this city.
Thank you to 1st District councilor Jimmy Cabato, who did not hesitate or think twice when we invited him as the first and resource speaker for the media forum. And of course to my colleagues in the Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ), who tasked me to chair the project. Muchas gracias!
Thank you also to Zamboanga Today, the most widely read newspaper in Western Mindanao, the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), RPN television and Net25/Eagle Broadcasting Corporation for the coverage of the forum. Indeed!! The Kapihan would not have been possible without the media.
Without much ado, here are excerpts from questions and answers during the media forum on the issue branding Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City.
Question 1 from Gil Climaco, radio commentator: "Is it proper, fit, appropriate to call Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City as what they called it as its new branded name? We want to get your opinion straight forward. What's your comment on this Honorable Cabato?
Answer: "De mio opinion simply lang. To the common men, once we mention Latin City, we refer to a place, its people, its culture, its history and heritage of the place. It is never simply associated to language because I understand earlier from the proponents of the Asia's Latin City moniker, they are saying Latin City because the Zamboangueños are speaking chavacano. This means, we are Latin City because Spanish is the relative of Latin. To the ordinary people, meanwhile, once we mention Latin City, two things come to their mind: first, the Latin American cities like Columbia, where we know for a fact it is known for drugs; second, once we mention Latin City, we recall the Roman Empire wherein during that time the people fight against people, persons against persons. Sometimes people against animals. So if these things are inculcated into the minds of the ordinary folks, who Zamboangueño would like to be a member of Latin City, where we would become gladiators and drug place city? That's why I said right now unless and till' there is justification coming from them that will make me change my mind, then that's the time I would say 'yes' (accept Latin City). I even believe even the members of IPZ, if there is valid and justified reason, they will erase this objection. It's only a matter of listening to us and listening to them and then come up with a conclusion.
Question 2 from Bernie Conception, government radio station anchorman: "This is connected to the first question. Given all the arguments of IPZ, questioning the branding of Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City. What move you can do in the City Council to address this Latin City moniker controversy?
Answer: "Here's how. The City Council asked IPZ to make a formal letter interposing objection on moniker (Asia's Latin City). Once the letter is there I will move for...to subject the opposition, its objection to a review of Ordinance 760 and then call for extensive public hearing and then after everything is ventilated come up with the conclusion. That's the only way to resolve and erase all these objections.
Question 3 follow up question from Mr. Concepcion: "Do you believe that the cause of this objection (on this tagging of Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City) was due to lack of public consultations by the present administration?
Answer: "We can't yet say that, although we heard Honorable Rey Candido, who talked earlier about his own version of what is Latin City, and then Councilor Jerky valesco, who also explained that there had been supposed public hearings in the past with barangay officials, kagawads and even with the Zamboanga Press Club. That's according to them, but then again Nung Ajihil, secretary general of IPZ told the City Council recently that he was not convinced on the justification by the two councilors. That's why I asked the City Council that there should be a two-way communication. We have to hear both sides. Let's hear those who are in favor and those who are against and then make a proper judgement at the proper time.
Question 4 from Tony Rimando, national columnist: "Going back to this Latin City. I understand Councilor Cabato that the pronouncement of the city mayor came out first before the City Council passed a resolution naming Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City. Some groups say this was not the proper way, which should have been the City Council coming first with the appropriate resolution before the mayor pronouncing it (Asia's Latin City). We support your move to initiate a real public hearing. Reports said there were public hearings made about this issue. I think it is not true because we have not heard from the media outfits about the supposed public hearings. There was no announcement so far. And this issue should be settled once and for all because our school children are confused. We would like therefore to urge you to initiate in the City Council for an immediate public hearing to settle this issue once and for all and I suggest that every sectors of society should be invited, especially school officials, teachers, parents, schoold children in all the levels so that they can ventilate their points and I'm very sure that the honorable mayor will later on realize that the issue should really be settled through a real, actual public hearing."
Answer: Yes...there were three points raised by Dr. Rimando. First, it seems he was trying to say that the mayor was sort of putting the cart ahead the horse. As a member of the City Council now I give the benefit of the doubt. So let's wait until the time comes. Second, he mentioned about public hearing. I agree with him that there should be extensive public hearing because when this resolution was enacted I was not a member of the City Council. Normally, when I was not a member of the City Council I received invitations for public hearings to include the simple resolutions of naming streets, but then as regards the naming of Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City, I never received any invitation. And third, if I can initiate this...yes...I have sait time and again I will repeat it. I will initiate the subjection of Resolution 760 to public hearing and relegate it to the committee for proper ventilation.
Thank you to 1st District councilor Jimmy Cabato, who did not hesitate or think twice when we invited him as the first and resource speaker for the media forum. And of course to my colleagues in the Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ), who tasked me to chair the project. Muchas gracias!
Thank you also to Zamboanga Today, the most widely read newspaper in Western Mindanao, the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), RPN television and Net25/Eagle Broadcasting Corporation for the coverage of the forum. Indeed!! The Kapihan would not have been possible without the media.
Without much ado, here are excerpts from questions and answers during the media forum on the issue branding Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City.
Question 1 from Gil Climaco, radio commentator: "Is it proper, fit, appropriate to call Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City as what they called it as its new branded name? We want to get your opinion straight forward. What's your comment on this Honorable Cabato?
Answer: "De mio opinion simply lang. To the common men, once we mention Latin City, we refer to a place, its people, its culture, its history and heritage of the place. It is never simply associated to language because I understand earlier from the proponents of the Asia's Latin City moniker, they are saying Latin City because the Zamboangueños are speaking chavacano. This means, we are Latin City because Spanish is the relative of Latin. To the ordinary people, meanwhile, once we mention Latin City, two things come to their mind: first, the Latin American cities like Columbia, where we know for a fact it is known for drugs; second, once we mention Latin City, we recall the Roman Empire wherein during that time the people fight against people, persons against persons. Sometimes people against animals. So if these things are inculcated into the minds of the ordinary folks, who Zamboangueño would like to be a member of Latin City, where we would become gladiators and drug place city? That's why I said right now unless and till' there is justification coming from them that will make me change my mind, then that's the time I would say 'yes' (accept Latin City). I even believe even the members of IPZ, if there is valid and justified reason, they will erase this objection. It's only a matter of listening to us and listening to them and then come up with a conclusion.
Question 2 from Bernie Conception, government radio station anchorman: "This is connected to the first question. Given all the arguments of IPZ, questioning the branding of Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City. What move you can do in the City Council to address this Latin City moniker controversy?
Answer: "Here's how. The City Council asked IPZ to make a formal letter interposing objection on moniker (Asia's Latin City). Once the letter is there I will move for...to subject the opposition, its objection to a review of Ordinance 760 and then call for extensive public hearing and then after everything is ventilated come up with the conclusion. That's the only way to resolve and erase all these objections.
Question 3 follow up question from Mr. Concepcion: "Do you believe that the cause of this objection (on this tagging of Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City) was due to lack of public consultations by the present administration?
Answer: "We can't yet say that, although we heard Honorable Rey Candido, who talked earlier about his own version of what is Latin City, and then Councilor Jerky valesco, who also explained that there had been supposed public hearings in the past with barangay officials, kagawads and even with the Zamboanga Press Club. That's according to them, but then again Nung Ajihil, secretary general of IPZ told the City Council recently that he was not convinced on the justification by the two councilors. That's why I asked the City Council that there should be a two-way communication. We have to hear both sides. Let's hear those who are in favor and those who are against and then make a proper judgement at the proper time.
Question 4 from Tony Rimando, national columnist: "Going back to this Latin City. I understand Councilor Cabato that the pronouncement of the city mayor came out first before the City Council passed a resolution naming Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City. Some groups say this was not the proper way, which should have been the City Council coming first with the appropriate resolution before the mayor pronouncing it (Asia's Latin City). We support your move to initiate a real public hearing. Reports said there were public hearings made about this issue. I think it is not true because we have not heard from the media outfits about the supposed public hearings. There was no announcement so far. And this issue should be settled once and for all because our school children are confused. We would like therefore to urge you to initiate in the City Council for an immediate public hearing to settle this issue once and for all and I suggest that every sectors of society should be invited, especially school officials, teachers, parents, schoold children in all the levels so that they can ventilate their points and I'm very sure that the honorable mayor will later on realize that the issue should really be settled through a real, actual public hearing."
Answer: Yes...there were three points raised by Dr. Rimando. First, it seems he was trying to say that the mayor was sort of putting the cart ahead the horse. As a member of the City Council now I give the benefit of the doubt. So let's wait until the time comes. Second, he mentioned about public hearing. I agree with him that there should be extensive public hearing because when this resolution was enacted I was not a member of the City Council. Normally, when I was not a member of the City Council I received invitations for public hearings to include the simple resolutions of naming streets, but then as regards the naming of Zamboanga as Asia's Latin City, I never received any invitation. And third, if I can initiate this...yes...I have sait time and again I will repeat it. I will initiate the subjection of Resolution 760 to public hearing and relegate it to the committee for proper ventilation.
1 comment:
Shame - Scandal in
the Zamboanga Press Club
Or the case of overstaying and recycled officers, loss of corporate status
By Juanito Delegado, ZPCI Member
Members of the Zamboanga Press Club Incorporated are unaware of glaring “absent provisions” in the rules of the Club.
While the officers are allowed to serve for a-one year term, its By-Laws does not provide for reelection. Neither are there provision or restrictions on the number of years or terms an officer can serve in the club.
Thus, while elected officers of the land like the President of the Philippines down to the barangay chairman and kagawads are provided with rules on how long each their terms will last and until how many terms they can serve and be ineligible for reelection, this is not the case in the Zamboanga Press Club.
The President of the Philippines is allowed six years one term only and is disqualified from seeking the position for a second time. Senators are also provided with only three terms, along with congressmen. Mayors, Vice Mayors who are all allowed to serve three year terms and eligible to run for three successive terms.
In the Zamboanga Press Club, the incumbent and past set of officers, taking advantage of the absence of a provision on term limits in their bylaws , -can run for reelection over and over again.
In effect, officers of the Press Club can stay forever in their positions, for as long as they live -unless they amend their By-Laws.. Otherwise their positions in the press club can be a lifetime career.
Past officers of the club prior to its incorporation served only one-year terms each and never run for reelections A few did run but only after a lapse of several yeas.
I happened to be passing by the restaurant they rented for the occasion and witnessed the election of officers of the Zamboanga Press Club last Saturday (June 12). Nobody questioned the term limits of the officers who were all running for reelection that day. On the other hand, I heard that the board of directors in some sort of a midnight resolution, tried to bar so called associate members from voting in the polls. The Board of directors invoked the original By laws of the Press Club in their attempt to disenfranchise the associate members.
What a scandalous situation in the press club? Its corporate status is about to be revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission for non-compliance with corporate laws for the past ten years or so. Favored members have exclusive use of computers and internet of the club.
Incidentally, it was learned that the press club earns about P30,000 a month in rentals from concessionaires in its building. The club has not even provided its members with a single T-shirt for their use during the past club year. The funds of the Zamboanga Press Club now running by the hundreds of thousands of pesos should be checked by an independent auditor to avoid the suspicion that club funds have become the personal piggy bank of its officers and favored members..
We hope that the new,. or shall we say, recycled set of officers, should do something to stop this scandalous activities in and status of the club.
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