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Friday, August 25, 2006
Speak out: Proposed Cebu City Council ordinance
By Partido ng Mangagawa
The proposed ordinance of Cebu City Council entitled, “An ordinance establishing regulatory standards and permit requirements for socio-cultural promotional/business, religious, political and all other organized events in Cebu City involving large number of people both in public and private venues,” is practically a “No Rally” ordinance.
It is meant to curtail the people’s right to peaceful assemblies cloaked in so-called “primordial concern of the state to protect the welfare and safety of its constituents.”
Ironically, while the calibrated preemptive response of Gloria was implemented under a state of emergency, this proposed ordinance popped out under a situation with no imminent danger ahead.
Worse, it commodifies a right, meaning that we can exercise it if we have the money to buy it. This is not freedom. This is business tyranny by bureaucrats.
With the stringent process of acquiring permits under the proposed ordinance, and with the composition of the committee that would be created for the purpose, no rally or public assembly by workers and the poor will be granted.
Freedom for all will become a privilege for favored sectors and groups.
The insertion of a bond system will further deter the workers and the poor from exercising their right. A fundamental and inherent right now has a price tag.
We believe that there are enough laws (some are even repressive) that can guide and regulate events, assemblies and rallies. A new one is definitely unnecessary.
Or is the ordinance meant for the Asean summit in December?
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 25, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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