Wednesday, March 12, 2008 'I will not apologize': Councilor
NO APOLOGY is forthcoming from Councilor Perlita Chan-Rondez, despite a demand from a fellow elected official.
"Sue me if you please, I will never apologize," Rondez declared, in reaction to Malcolm Square barangay leader William Domogen's demand for her to issue a public apology over a statement she made during their regular session last week.
Rondez said it should be Domogen who should issue a public apology for intimidating volunteers of the organizer of the Panagbenga.
Domogen earlier wrote Rondez asking her to prove allegations the barangay leader has been collecting fees from stallholders or issue a public apology.
He said such allegation degraded his reputation as a barangay official. "I am compelled to issue a challenge to your office to make good your allegations with clear, hard and convincing evidence I am indeed the author of these irregularities and failing that, no less than a formal public apology from you is needed to clear my name to the public and the people which we both serve," a portion of Domogen's letter to Rondez stated.
However, Rondez said with the City Government's implementation of stricter rules on trade fairs, everybody should follow duly promulgated rules.
"If it was not implemented in the past because of political accommodations, it is time to put a stop to this," the Councilor stressed recalling so many trade fairs were held at Malcolm Square all in the guise of barangay fiestas but rules on the conduct of trade fairs have been circumvented.
For those who consent to this practice by agreeing to pay, Rondez appealed that they should not allow themselves to be used.
She also commended the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Baguio (HRAB) for coming with up an activity, which was successful and followed the rules.
With the problems recently encountered, Rondez said the HRAB always has a chance to improve their rules and the activities they have started.
Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president Joel Alangsab meantime found himself caught between two contending colleagues.
He declined to answer queries from reporters on what action he intends to undertake now that Domogen and Rondez are in a word war over the recently concluded Session Road-in-Bloom (SRB).
"I am reserving my comment, for they are both my colleagues," Alangsab said, but entertained suggestion for the ABC to form its own fact-finding committee and look into the allegations hurled at Domogen, the ABC's treasurer. (RO)
