Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Editorials: Jalosjos pardon
THE National Government somehow managed to spare itself the embarrassment of releasing former congressman Romeo Jalosjos from prison even with his advanced age and the fact that he had yet to fully serve his sentence for raping a then 11-year-old girl despite the excuse that her parents "offered" her to him.
But then that's what one expects from the Arroyo administration after it pardoned former President Joseph Estrada and then facilitated the release of American soldier Daniel Smith from prison to the custody of the US embassy.
Justice in this part of the country is all about political expediency, a sad and unacceptable truth.
Vendors relocation
Good thing that the City Government managed to find was a suitable temporary relocation for the many vendors to be affected by its campaign of eliminating traffic obstacles in the city's main thoroughfares and markets, though it remains to be seen whether its drive would be effective.
At least that's how city officials said prior to Mayor Constantino Jaraula's offer for the market vendors to occupy the third floor of the Cogon market free of charge and the refusal of the latter to do so for reasons that the area is barely accessed by buyers inconvenienced by the presence of filth and street boys, as well as rowdy police officers who somehow find time to drink during the wee hours of the evenings.
How this would work out one doesn't know but one local radio station interviewed a vendor who complained that they have yet to be relocated to this site, which a landowner near the Cogon market area allegedly donated. Since the period for occupancy runs up to January 2, the vendors have at least a window of two weeks to earn their noche buena and media noche.
If there is such an area, the city police ought to monitor and guard the vendors, but not to the point of harassing them since they are only there to earn a living. Reports of police harassing vendors who cannot pay their "daily bread" are too rife for even the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) to ignore and this ought to be addressed quickly by RTA chief Filipino Amoguis.
With the annual Simbang Gabi and last minute rush for Christmas shopping, the city government should ensure that the vendors are properly placed in their areas so they can sell their goods and earn their livelihood without inconveniencing the public and otherwise earning their antagonism. In this dispute, no one wins and only people from both sides are discomfited.
