Wednesday, September 03, 2008 Malilong: Sports center’s ‘facelift’ By Frank Malilong The Other Side
THE reaction of some members of the opposition to the proposal to increase the salary of the President illustrates how one’s bias can render him totally blind to reality.
San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito and United Opposition spokesman Adel Tamano are prime examples. Ejercito said that Mrs. Arroyo does not deserve a pay raise but “an early retirement incentive” while Tamano was quoted as saying that the President could “seek a better paying job elsewhere.”
I can understand Ejercito. But Tamano is a lawyer who should be familiar with the constitutional provision governing salary increases for the President (and Vice President).
This is what the Constitution provides:
“The salaries of the President and Vice-President shall be determined by law and shall not be increased during their tenure.
No increase in said compensation shall take effect until after the expiration of the term of the incumbent during which such increase was approved.”
The language is plain enough so enough said.
***
The good news is that the main gate of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) was finally opened to its users last Saturday.
The bad news is that it was closed again the following day.
There seems to be one rule for corporate clients, another for the ordinary Juan de la Cruzes like us. A company called Emcor had its family day at the complex last Saturday so not only did management open the main gate, it drove away its regular customers starting at 7 a.m.
Well, what can I say? Who to allow in, where and how are management prerogatives. Never mind that the complex was constructed from money paid by Juan de la Cruz.
I should know because I was there when the idea of where to construct a modern oval in Cebu was discussed. Mayor Tommy Osmeña and Councilor Joy Young wanted it in the city; Cebu 1st Dist. Rep. Eddie Gullas insisted that it should be in Talisay. Tommy and Joy won the argument and the rest is history.
I sided with Eddiegul on that one not because he was my law partner at that time but because I thought that the Abellana National School oval, as it was known then, was too small for a modern sports complex. I still think so now but I am thankful that Tommy and Joy were able to have their way because the sports center is near and easily accessible.
The papers reported yesterday that the CCSC chieftain and my good friend, Ricky Ballesteros, proudly announced that the facility is currently undergoing “a major facelift” at no cost to the city. The repairs are funded by income from the center.
Indeed, repair work is ongoing at the ground level of the grandstand but whether it is major or not is debatable. Those who jog or walk in the oval will also readily see the fresh markings on the track indicating the lanes and starting blocks.
“Facelift” is however a misnomer, which, in fairness to him, is not Ricky’s fault. But applying fresh paint to a creased surface produces the same garish result as applying heavy make-up on your 80-year-old grandma’s face.
Anyway, I’m happy that the CCSC is finally getting its well-deserved attention from our officials. Jack Jakosalem has vowed to have the rubberized track replaced before his term ends. And while Tommy has said that the repair of Cebu’s only modern track and field facility is not a priority, at least he noticed.
As for Ricky, he can continue to shut the main gate to the very people from whom he gets the money for his kingdom’s upkeep. It’s his kingdom, anyway.
