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Monday, April 25, 2005
Nalzaro: Congressional inquiry: For what?
By BOBBY G. NALZARO
TWO members of the House of Representatives are calling for a congressional inquiry on two local issues that cropped up recently. First district representative Eduardo Gullas has filed a resolution seeking congressional inquiry on the ongoing controversy between Talisay City and Cebu City over the multi-billion-peso South Reclamation Project (SRP).
Gabriela party-list representative Liza Masa, on the other hand, is also planning to initiate a congressional inquiry on the issue surrounding the plight and alleged maltreatment of political detainees at the Cebu Provincial Detention Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC). Masa’s move was an offshoot of the incident over the weekend when jail officers denied her entry to the jail facility purposely to have a dialogue with detained communist leaders.
Though, Her Highness La Gobernadora Gwen Garcia had already apologized to Masa for the “unfortunate incident,” saying it was purely miscommunication, the representative of the left-leaning Gabriela will still pursue her plan. Congress has the power to initiate and conduct inquiries in aid of legislation. Legislators can get some inputs out of the inquiries for possible piece of legislation they can file in Congress.
I am not against congressional inquiry per se. But I have just some reservations on the matter. This should be done on a case-to-case basis depending on the issue being inquired into. And this should not be used to advance the personal interest and hidden agenda of our lawmakers. Doing this on the basis of personal motive is just a total waste of government funds, especially if the inquiry is held out of town.
Our legislators should see to it that the issues being looked into will benefit the majority and not only the few. What possible measures can honorable Eddiegul and Masa craft out from the issues? Congress cannot settle the “tug of war” between Talisay and Cebu City over the SRP issue.
Gullas just wanted an explanation from the Department on Environment and Natural Resources and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority why only two hectares belongs to the territorial jurisdiction of Talisay and not 53 hectares as what he claims? But can’t he just call these government entities instead of conducting a House inquiry?
Though, he can use the inputs in the future to craft measures to avoid any conflict in establishing boundaries between local government units. As to Masa’s move, if she is really concern about the plight of our prisoners what she should do is help the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, which supervises city and municipal jails, and the Provincial Government that runs provincial jails to procure more funds to improve jail facilities.
(Bobby@sunstar.com.ph. text: 0919318104)
(April 25, 2005 issue)
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