Friday, October 06, 2006 Group cries foul over councilor's speech
THE spokesperson of the Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (Maas) cried foul over the privilege speech delivered by Councilor Diosdado A. Mahipus in Tuesday's regular session.
"It's foul and way below the belt. I wasn't expecting it from someone who claims to be decent and civilized. He lost his tract and lost whatever decency left him when he assailed my personal life, which is not supposed to be his business," said Maas spokesperson Dagohoy Magaway.
Mahipus, in his speech, castigated Magaway and Maas along with councilors Victorio S. Advincula, Danilo C. Dayanhirang and Nilo G. Abellra -- the three "Kalabasa Awardees" accused of delaying tactics, stalling the approval of the aerial spraying ban as an agricultural practice in the city.
In his written statement, Magaway quoted Mahipus as saying, "I was informed that Magaway used to work in the Davao City Council under the office of Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III. But because something was wrong with him, his services were discontinued. I also learned that Magaway is separated from his wife."
Magaway said what happened last Tuesday only further justified the Kalabasa Awards.
"They grabbed the opportunity to malign and destroy me and discredit the coalition during the privilege speeches, which were totally a waste of time for the people who expected them to pass policies that could benefit the public," Magaway said.
Magaway said the time used in their speeches could have been enough to pass the ordinance.
Meanwhile, contrary to Advincula's statement that Maas is a three-people coalition, Magaway said, Maas is a broad coalition of farmers, civil society groups and public officials all pushing for aerial spray ban.
Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (Idis) executive director Lia Jasmine Esquillo, who was also castigated by the four councilors, said their group never encouraged or coerced anyone to tell lies, contrary to the accusation of Dayanghirang that "she came from Manila and now in Davao to spread lies."
"That is not our mandate. Our concern is to advocate the protection of the upland watershed areas of the city which is being threatened by the presence and expansion of banana pineapple plantations," Esquillo said.
"I can face people, including the very people who called me liar, anytime and anywhere and I would still walk with pride because I never lied in my life," she added. (BRQ)
