The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)’s recent overrule of Mayor Bing’s executive order banning ships from China, South Korea, and Macau is a clear indicator of the administration’s bend towards authoritarianism. A given in our Constitution is the equal power and authority with the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial branch of our government.
Yet, a cursory review of Duterte’s recent pronouncements and orders (the most controversial, the summary end to the USPhilippines Visiting Forces Agreement, now planned by key members of the Senate to bring for a ruling of the Supreme Court) show his gross disregard of this Constitutional provision. This is also manifested in his adamant stance regarding the Chinese continuing entry to the Philippines, strong voice for POGOs continuing operation despite the strong public outcry and the data provided by the Bureau of Internal Revenue that they have failed to pay some 50 billion pesos worth of taxes.
Best I know of the Local Government Code, the local executives and local legislators have the right to legislate protective measures for its constituents. But this issue aside, the DILG order using pre-existing presidential order vetoing any ban on the continuing entry of the Chinese, either by air or sea, and their ships and trading goods, reflect the total disregard of the President for the common good of the Filipinos.
In a sense, he has betrayed the national interest, and shown greater loyalty to China’s trade interest and diplomatic sensibilities. As may be judged by his series of pronouncements, and that of his mouthpieces--Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sec. Salvador Panelo and DOH chief Francisco Duque, Duterte may be accused of treason--putting the interest of China and her constituents as represented in the Philippines by POGO, traders and tourists than the Filipinos whose public health is at high risk.
The question for us Bacoleños is Mayor Bing and the City Council’s next move. Will they just retreat given the DILG order to cease and desist from implementing the timely EO preventing the docking of ships from Covid-19 saturated China, South Korea and Macau? Will they take steps to question the order, best, defy it, giving more importance to strong public opinion and outcry to keep Bacolod, and the province, Covid-19 free?
Bacoleños should once more make themselves heard loud on this very serious threat to the city’s public health safety. Make persistent calls to the local officials. Let the radio airwaves and social media be filled with protest against the DILG order to overrule. Ask the governor to take pro-active stance in securing the other key ports from possible Covid-19 carriers.
We must act now, task the city, municipal and provincial health offices to undertake massive information education campaign on Covid-19, and its spread. This is no time to remain passive.