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Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Guvs on illegal logging raps: Senator misguided
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Five governors in Northern Mindanao accused of either engaging in illegal logging or protecting those involved in the practice branded Senator Miriam Santiago's accusations as false and baseless.
The governors said in separate interviews Tuesday the senator could have been fed wrong information.
They also suspect the senator is trying to divert the public's attention away from the quarrel between Environment Secretary Michael Defensor and Senator Jamby Madrigal.
Secretary Defensor had accused the Madrigal family of engaging in the illegal practice.
Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno said he was willing to face a Senate investigation as this would give him a chance to clear his name.
Moreno and Camiguin Governor Pedro Romualdo agreed Santiago's accusations were without basis and may be "diversionary tactic".
These might have been intended to bring the public's attention away from the ranging war between the environment secretary and Madrigal.
Moreno nevertheless admitted there might be some truth to Senator Santiago's accusations.
"Bisan tuod ug irresponsible sa kinatibuk-an ang iyang gisulti still basin naay tinood gamay niadto so mas maayo nga imbestigahan gihapon sa Senado (Although her statements were irresponsible, still there might be some small truth in it so it is still best that it should be investigated by the Senate)," he said.
Misguided, nonsense
Romualdo for his part said nobody really believed Senator Santiago, particularly when she spoke about illegal logging in Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Camiguin.
"We thought she (Santiago) is a dedicated and good environmental advocate but now she is nothing but a misguided missile," he said.
He added that Santiago even forgot to include Lanao del Sur where most of the illegal loggers are operating.
Romualdo said he created a task force in Camiguin province that is concerned with illegal fishing, illegal gambling, illegal drugs and illegal logging.
He said this group is even tasked to apprehend any person who would cut trees in his own private land without permit.
"And if these people who are cutting down trees from their own private lands are given permit, we installed measures to make sure that any cut tree remains here in our small island (Camiguin)," Moreno added.
A spokesman of Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri said the official was caught by surprise when he saw his name in Santiago's list as among those either into or protecting illegal logging.
Zubiri is now calling on Santiago to be "responsible" with her statements and even challenged her to prove her point, the governor's spokesman said.
Imelda Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, through provincial information officer Richelieu Umel, denied she was into illegal logging.
"Gapataka raman kana si Senator Meriam (Senator Meriam Santiago is talking nonsense)," he said.
Check sources
An aunt of Governor Loreto Ocampos of Misamis Occidental, meanwhile, defended her nephew amid the senator's accusations.
She said the governor could not be into illegal logging.
"Before Senator Santiago issues such statements she should first check out her sources and get ground information...what she did was highly irresponsible," she said.
Last Monday, Santiago delivered a privilege speech during their Senate session, tagging several governors and past governors in the different provinces in the country who are into illegal logging or are protectors of illegal loggers.
"Hindi naman sila mga bingi na hindi nila marinig 'yong mga chainsaws (It is not as if these governors are deaf that they cannot hear the chainsaws cutting down the trees in the different areas in their respective provinces)," Santiago said.
Santiago then enumerated the provinces she believes are ruled over by former or incumbent governors who are into illegal logging.
(February 2, 2005 issue)
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