|
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Editorials: Four-day holiday and priorities
The reaction of Asean National Organizing Committee Secretary General Marciano Paynor to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeńa’s insistence to declare a four-day holiday in Cebu for the Asean summit in December only proves that perspectives differ.
While Osmeńa considers settling of the matter important considering the opposition of some local government officials to it, Paynor and even Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye consider it of minor significance.
This apparently is one of the reasons why the national government wouldn’t dare to leave the matter of preparing for the summit to local politicians whose perspectives are limited and who can be petty at times.
A broad-minded approach to the summit preparation is needed and this needs as many minds and hands as possible so the hosting will be successful.
This does not mean, though that the local hosts should not be allowed to make suggestions and that all decisions should emanate from Manila; that is even the reason why the organizing committee has a Cebu counterpart.
In fact, Paynor admitted that many “hypothetical scenarios” on the hosting have cropped up---which should be welcomed---although these still have to be sorted out.
What would be wrong is if anyone among those with a stake to the Asean summit’s hosting would be too aggressive or work on his or her own and thereby derail the consensus-building process in the preparatory committee.
Cardinal’s retirement
Only few Cebuanos actually thought Pope Benedict XVI would ask Ricardo Cardinal Vidal to let go of his post as archbishop of Cebu.
While the cardinal has had his share of illnesses considering his age, he can still function as archbishop and has remained influential not only in Cebu but in the country.
Indeed, it is difficult to let go of him especially in this crucial time when the country’s political fabric is being tested and the clergy and the faithful need all the spiritual guidance they can get especially from the Archbishop’s Palace.
Besides, there is the consensus that the cardinal has done his job well.
To Vidal applies then the saying often attributed to government officials, and which can be paraphrased this way: 50 years is a long period for a bad archbishop but it is fleeting for a really good one.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 16, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
