Thursday, July 03, 2008 Espinoza: Statement of support for Mayor Radaza By Elias L. Espinoza Free Zone
FILIPINO boxing icon Manny Pacquiao deserves all the praises for his recent victory over WBC lightweight champion David Diaz. He now holds the record as the first Filipino and Asian to capture four titles in four boxing divisions.
In the bout, Pacquiao already had a convincing lead in points even before Diaz got knocked out in the ninth round. Not only did Pacman improve his boxing style, he also tremendously fattened his pocket with his prize money.
I also noticed that Manny spoke better English in the interview after the fight. Good for you, mate! From my tribe, congratulations!
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Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Boy Radaza found a good way of refuting Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (MICCI) accusations of corruption with the testimonial of Genevieve Gaisano-Go.
“We never experienced that. The mayor is good to us because maybe he knows that business is very much critical to the system of government,” Genevieve told Sun.Star’s Allan I. Varquez.
Genvieve’s statement was made after MICCI held an Economic Forum that City Government officials largely snubbed.
Reports said Mayor Radaza attended the opening of the forum but left after the speech of Director General Lilia Delima of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, which runs the Mactan Export Processing Zone.
Genevieve, daughter of Joseph Gaisano, issued the statement during the city-initiated “Investor’s Night” at a posh hotel-resort in Mactan where she received an award as one of the city’s Top 20 Investors.
Reports say the Gaisano family will put up the Grand Mall of Mactan in Barangay Basak before the year ends.
Genevieve’s statement that they never experienced corruption in City Hall was supported by Grand Benedicto, president of Enrison’s Property Holdings, who said, “So far, we don’t have a problem.”
I think Paz Radaza, wife of the city mayor, and Joseph Gaisano are majority stockholders of Subangdaku Rural Bank.
It would appear that Grace’s statement is only for public consumption because it could not be used as evidence of the mayor’s good character, unless she testifies in court.
Lawyer Amay Ong Vaño, one of the convenors of the MICCI business forum, told me in a chance meeting that City Hall’s “Investors’ Night,” which was held a day after the MICCI activity, was obviously meant to deride them.
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There is nothing new in the threat of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to evict the Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP) 7 office from the city-owned property after BFP ordered the relief of the city fire marshal. He has always been acting like a child.
Mayor Tomas suspected that the recent filing of administrative charges against City Fire Marshal Esmael Codilla before the Ombudsman was a ploy to ensure Codilla’s transfer outside of the city.
While Osmeña’s gesture maybe for the city’s best interest (he thinks Codilla is the best city fire marshal ever), but there are rules that should be followed. Fire officers also have a two-year limit in serving a particular place or city. Codilla has been the city’s fire chief for more than two years.
The mayor’s bullheadedness could have dire consequences. He did not take into consideration the welfare of his constituents who will be at the losing end if the BFP 7 office is evicted.
If that happens, I suppose Capitol will be more than willing to accommodate the BFP 7 just to, perhaps, spite Osmeña, who is at odds with Gov. Gwen Garcia.
