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Wednesday, March 23, 2005
City to sue Tagaytay for 'defamation'
By Rimaliza Opiña
THE Baguio City Council would sue the local government unit of Tagaytay for posting in its website a negative advisory about Baguio.
Not contented with the Tagaytay City's denial of ownership of the website that negatively depicted Baguio, the council also asked the city's own Management Information System (MIS) Tuesday to trace the "real" owner of the website.
The councilors agreed that if they would not be satisfied with the Tagaytay and MIS reports, coordination will be done with the City Legal Officer for the (possible) filing of civil charges.
While waiting for the MIS report, the body likewise agreed to write the Tagaytay City Council to formally inform them of the sentiments of the Baguio City Council about the advisory.
It was learned that the council of Tagaytay is also conducting its own investigation regarding the advisory, apart from the task force formed by Mayor Abraham Tolentino.
Before the deliberations, Councilor Galo Weygan asked that the issue be deferred first while waiting for the city council of Tagaytay to furnish them a copy of their own investigation. He was, however, prevailed upon by other members of the body.
Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia said while it recognizes the effort of the Tagaytay council, it is incumbent upon the Baguio council to do its own investigation.
Councilor Edilberto Tenefrancia, for his part, said damage has already been done, adding that he is even dismayed by the recommendation of the Tagaytay task force.
The task force, in its report to Mayor Tolentino, suggested that they (task force) meet with the supposed owner of the website and to write a letter of apology to be published in newspapers of general circulation.
Tenefrancia noted that up to this time, the Baguio City Government has not been informed of any meeting between the two and that no letter of apology was furnished Baguio City. "This is just shifting the blame to a private person. Tagaytay has not been responsible in attending to this problem."
Councilor Jose Molintas however stressed: "Let us apply cooler heads in dealing with the issue."
Meanwhile, Tenefrancia invited city officials of Tagaytay to Baguio. "Come and breathe the air of Baguio. If you feel that it's polluted, don't come back."
Baguio Representative Mauricio Domogan delivered a privilege speech in Congress last March 9 condemning Tagaytay City for posting in its website an advisory saying the city may no longer be the country's summer capital because of overpopulation, pollution and expensive air fare.
Tolentino, however, denied ownership of the website saying an inn proprietor owns it.
(March 23, 2005 issue)
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