Saturday, November 17, 2007 Nalzaro: Mayor Radaza’s use of the pulpit By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
WHILE other Church leaders have become crusaders for good government by fighting graft and corruption in our political system, priests at Our Lady of the Rule in Lapu-Lapu City allowed Mayor Arturo Radaza, who has been accused of graft and corruption, to use the pulpit to castigate his enemies.
In a mass opening the weeklong fiesta of the city's patron saint, Radaza lambasted his critics for accusing him of corruption and described some businessmen as “uncivilized” for refusing to pay taxes to the city.
I am sure that act was pre-arranged, meaning Radaza's action had the blessing of church leaders. This is because the mayor, who seldom talks in public, had a prepared speech. Whoever allowed him to mix religious affairs with personal matter deserves to be thrown into a lion's den.
I learned that the parish priest of Lapu-Lapu is Msgr. Roberto “Bob” Villanueva. Is this the same priest who ordered the excavation of the church in Cordova to look for Yamashita treasure? Santisima nimo, monsinyor.
Why did you allow Radaza to use that religious occasion to defend himself from allegations of corruption when these are personal and political matters? If there was a request from the mayor in this regard, you should have told him that it was not the proper venue to discuss that matter.
And the mayor should not have used the occasion to launch tirades against his accusers and tormentors as a sign of respect for religious activities. He was inside a church and he criticized and attacked his enemies? Where's his sense of delicadeza?
Besides, he may have lied in front of their patron saint and the public by saying that the allegations hurled against him are not true. Mayor, why don't you call a press conference and answer all these allegations?
Again, I think you were ill-advised. You even looked funny.
Meanwhile, I don't think there is a need to amend the law creating the special economic zone as suggested by opposition Councilor Efren Herrera. In the first place, Radaza did not cite any law supporting his drastic move against the establishments of Efrain Pelaez Jr. His action was a personal vendetta, thinking he can bully anybody.
I was informed that there is a development inside the Mactan Export Zone (MEZ 2) in Basak, which is similarly situated with the Marina Mall, owned by Pelaez.
Pueblo Verde of Aboitiz Land Inc. has locators within the General Industry Area of the Philippine Export Zone Authority (Peza)-controlled zone. These locators submit their plans to the MEZ 2 administration and endorse these to Peza's Office of the Building Officials for building, construction and occupancy permits.
The only obligation of these locators to the City Government is to secure mayor and business permits. In fact, one of the building operators in that area, I was told, is a Cebu City councilor. If this is the case, why are Radaza and his cohorts singling out Pelaez?
(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.cowill reflect the dreams and aspirations of the Cebuanos. But it will take first and foremost a change in mindset and attitude to make it work. It starts from the top; it begins with the mayor.
