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Tuesday, September 16, 2003
Editorial: Ironing out the conflict
There should be ways to solve the problem bugging the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center (BBRC) other than the one being done by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
That is, if the mayor won’t immediately close his mind, like he often does.
Reacting to the recent jailbreak and the apparent special relationship inmate Ruben Ecleo Jr. has with some of his jailers, Osmeña has ordered the pullout from BBRC of two City-owned buses used in transporting inmates to and from the courts.
Also, the transfer of the inmates to the newly built facility in Kalunasan may be jeopardized if Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officials won’t give in to the mayor’s demand for control over the operation of the jail.
Actually, this is not the first time Osmeña wielded the stick against BJMP and BBRC officials. After several jailbreaks last year, he suspended the P200,000 monthly food subsidy for inmates and the release of P1,000 monthly incentives for jail officers.
While there is purpose in the strategy—it has the effect of forcing the hand of the BJMP—there are also dangers, straddling as it is the bounds of brinkmanship.
Consider the pullout of the vehicles, which are important in ensuring that prisoners transported during hearings are well secured. The mayor can’t just say it’s now up to BJMP officials. Whatever the consequence of the act affects everybody.
Then there is the matter of quarreling over control of the operation of the Kalunasan facility at a time when transfer there of the inmates from the present overcrowded jail no longer needs postponement.
As it is, the aspect that needs ironing out is the legal one, with the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) noting that Osmeña’s proposal is not in keeping with the law and Osmeña insisting sharing of control can be done.
Meaning, the two sides need arbitrators to settle the contrasting interpretations.
But there is really no need to go to that extent, given the need. A dialogue—which would entail the opening up of the minds of the two sides—for example, will surely go a long way in finding the middle ground or the win-win solution to the problem.
Problem like Dejoras
The case of Vicente Dejoras Jr., the former Cebu City demolition team chief who continued to receive his salary even if Mayor Tomas Osmeña already announced he has been kicked out of City Hall, is really embarrassing.
But his case might not be an isolated one.
Had it not been for Councilor George Rama, who made noise about Dejoras’ questionable status, the matter would not have been brought into the open. The problem is, Rama made the revelation apparently because he has long been at odds with Dejoras.
Meaning, there is a possibility other City Hall people are receiving salaries even without working for it, only that they still have to be discovered.
The point then is not only that Dejoras may have disadvantaged the City but also that there is a need to put a mechanism that would ensure what he did has not been repeated in other City Hall offices and won’t be repeated in the future.
(September 16, 2003 issue)
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