HALLELUYAH!

April 19, 2025 Opinion

Let us celebrate Easter today with happy thoughts and smiley faces. Halleluyah! Jesus, Rising from the dead exemplifies that there is resurrection which applies then and now in this modern times, especially for those who feel they are down but not out. We all mean well yet despite the best of intentions, we gets crap from people who simply refuse to understand. In life, it comes like summer rain and bring feelings of rejection, despair, frustration and emptiness. That must how Christ felt when he was nailed on the cross between two criminals, crying out “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”

The people of Baguio though must feel forsaken by the veto of BBM last April 11, 2025 of the Amendments introduced by Sen. JV Ejercito to the Revised City Charter of Baguio (RA 11689 passed in 2022). The proposed amendments aimed to correct the substantial lapses under the Mark Go authored RA 11689 , particularly Sections 23, 50, 52 and 55. The veto of the proposed amendments to Sections 23, 50, 52 and 55 of the Revised City Charter of the City of Baguio means that the provisions sought to be amended shall continue to be effective, RA 11689 remains and nothing has changed.

I could not in my simple mind find logic in the veto as the official reason was the amendment would weaken the BCDA Law, but what the City and the people who gave you full support in 2022 apo? Remember our talks of how you wanted to retire here? We have been a Chartered City since 1909, autonomous from Benguet Province but Section 23 of RA 11689 commands the Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to forward to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (of Benguet) copies of duly approved ordinances in the manner provided in Section 56 and 57 of the Local Government Code. What a glaring anomaly although it would be good if SP Benguet would reverse the SP Baguio finding on Market Development or Congestion Fee.

Since we are back to Benguet, we might as well vote for Governor Diclas for his last term. Then, the proceeds of the sale of lands thru townsite or miscellaneous sales shall continue to accrue to the city and no portion of the same shall be allocated to the DENR for operating expenses, which actually was a rule needing no amendment Likewise the Special Committee on Lands (504 Committee?) created under Section 52 will have John Hay Management Corporation as a member even in acting on lands not involving it. By what right and power does a private corporation or a government owned or controlled corporation have a seat in a quasi-judicial body adjudicating lands for our landless?

Also a dagdag-bawas operation, RA 11689 increased the area of John Hay to 6,254,105 square meters (625 hectares) as surveyed by the DENR, instead of 570 hectares as provided in RA 7227 (BCDA law) affecting Ancestral Land claims of the Carinos, Carantes, Pineda etc..clans who’se Calti, Calsi and native titles will be prejudiced. Time to choose wisely the next Congressman preferable lawyers who would understand the law and lawmaking-Domogan or Aliping, not necessarily in that order, would have an edge. I watched with amusement the Baguio Leaders Forum and if I were to rate the performances in the debate and question portions of the candidates for Mayor, candidate Mark Go, although a little bit cocky as his personality is, was able to communicate well his vision and platforms if he wins the race.

Of course there was a sneak attack on the issue of dynasty which he was prevented from replying to, when his attempt was stopped by the organizers for purportedly being out of the topic. Me thinks that in the interest of fair play, he should have been allowed to at least rebut the same asap. He had another chance to make a stand in his closing message, but unfortunately he must have forgotten and did not, so breaks of the game. Candidate Mark Andrew Directo, a neophyte politician did well for a nervous first-timer standing his ground on certain issues but needs a better grasp of issues affecting the city.

A self-made man, he can be a good alternative to tradpols. Candidate Benny was not around due to the untimely demise of his father for which we extend our deepest condolences. The lady candidate Cayetano was a dragon-spewing-angry-fire at everything under the sun. Candidate-incumbent Benjie says it takes only 8 minutes to het a business permit, which of course is a fantasy for some! He had good data in support if his arguments. Suavy political moves, raising his hand for a toilet break ala Mar Roxas or challenging his opponent to sign a blank waiver ala Sonny Trillianes!

In the Vice-Mayoralty race-debate, three issues arose : Body shaming jokes when the lady compared her size to his, drunken masters who attend the SP session under the influence of liquor and who Brian Galang is campaigning for. Non sequitur-statements that do not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said One of them would resurrect or emerge after the smoke of the vicious battle disappears. I am rooting for “M” and hopefully he will be the new messiah who would lead the city out of the doldrums and make this place a better place to live on. Until then, Happy Easter to all. Sigh!