City Council asks Diaz to appear, explain ‘anti-Cebuano’ statement

THE Cebu City Council wants 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz to appear before the body to explain her alleged statement over Cebuanos having poor English proficiency that they need an interpreter.

Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa proposed that the former beauty queen be invited to the council, considering the impact of her pronouncements on the Cebuanos.

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“I would like to ask this council to really ask her (Diaz) to come because of the magnitude of the impact of her statement. I think it will require no less than an appearance in this council,” Abellanosa said in a corollary motion to the resolution of Councilor Lea Japson.

During the council’s regular session yesterday, Japson passed a resolution denouncing “in the strongest terms” the statements made by Diaz.

“Her statements are a direct affront, if not, an insult to our culture and heritage,” Japson said.

Diaz, in an interview with ABS-CBN, was first quoted as saying that pageant contestants should use interpreters if it will help them answer questions better.

She added “kasi when you think about a Cebuana, she can hardly speak English and, of course, Tagalog.”

“It is of high importance to state that every Filipina deserves respect from all Filipinos wherever she comes from,” Japson said.

Japson, who heads the council’s committee on women, also criticized Diaz for remaining “unperturbed” despite the privilege speech made by Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar (Cebu City, north district) and the clamor for a public apology.

As for the motion of Abellanosa, Japson said there is no longer a need for Diaz to appear before the council, saying it is clear that the former beauty queen issued a statement with “malicious intent.”

But Abellanosa reiterated the need for Diaz to appear before the council, citing a recent report from ABS-CBN where the former beauty queen allegedly said the Cebuanos should be the ones to apologize to her.

The council approved both the motions of Abellanosa and Japson.

When asked about the move of the council, Mayor Michael Rama said “it is a prerogative exercised by the legislative.”

But he said there is no longer a need to “glorify” the whole issue.

“I’ve been always telling that if there’s no reason to glorify, why glorify? Most of all Gloria na gud na iyang pangan, imo pa gyung i-glorify?” Rama joked.

The council wants Diaz to appear before the council during its regular session next week. (PDF)