Thursday, May 08, 2008 On a collision course By Jose Paolo Ariola I still walk the line
IT HAD to happen. At the rate this City's Legal Officer and a popular media practitioner had been throwing bricks at each other, both personalities eventually ended on a collision course. Now we're in for a battle royale between two crusaders.
City Hall had been reeling from the incessant potshots it had been receiving from certain sectors in the wake of the 'baha controversy' for its alleged failure to stem the tide of rising floodwaters as well as the worsening traffic problem of this city, among others. Now the battle lines had been drawn.
The protagonists - City Legal Officer lawyer Allan Zamora vs media crusader Franklin 'Frankahanay' Villanueva - it seems are holding no punches as they brace themselves for this tussle while the rest of us Bacolodians watch with bated breath at this unfolding spectacle between the 'Immovable Object' and the 'Unstoppable Force.' But what this walker is apprehensive about is that after the smoke of the battle has cleared, it'll be this forlorn yet beloved city of ours, which will end up the loser. Yup, Todits! Bacolod will end up the biggest loser unless this impasse is resolved before it gets out of hand.
Lately, City Hall had been bragging to all sundry that Bacolod has been adjudged the Most 'Livable' and 'Business Friendly' City in the entire country. Of course, this distinction should be a great source of our collective pride as Bacolodians. Who wouldn't? While not a few eyebrows had been raised at this award, still we should give ourselves a pat on our backs for this honor, deserving or undeserving. Besides we didn't ask for it. It was given to us. So what's Bacolod being the most livable and business friendly city got to do with the present controversy?
Amidst the uproar between these two duelists, our city's claim to being a "business friendly" community might yet turnout to be a boner. While the City Legal Office may have its own reasons in holding in abeyance the release of the business permit of F-Channel 13 yet the backlash of this move, I am afraid, will definitely boomerang in the ultimate end right at the doorstep of the Mayor's Office no less. As they say, the buck stops there. But public opinion will definitely sway against City Hall.
As matters stand, it is the perception now that City Hall is on the warpath against its critics and that it will do anything "by hook or by crook" to silence them. In fact, many Bacolodians are puzzled as to what this administration has become. Either way, I could see 'Mr. Frankahanay' laughing with delight at what the City Legal Office has done to him. Unknowingly, they have made him into a raging underdog - a rallying point against City Hall's political repression into silencing him from further criticizing this administration. In the end, Franklin "V" might yet have the last laugh.
Time and again, men in public office have often been called upon not to be too sensitive with regard to public criticisms against their official conduct because such are a natural consequences in public service. As a matter of fact, it was the Supreme Court itself in the landmark case of 'US versus Bustos' which admonished public servants not to be "too onion skinned" vis-à-vis public criticisms of their official conduct for it is the scalpel which excises the excesses in governmental service. At the end of the day, it will be the "soothing balm of a clear conscience" which will give them their vindication.
Well, if I were to give an unsolicited advice to City Hall, then I'd tell them that it would do well for Hizzoner to step into this affray and perform one great act of diplomacy and statemanship by ordering the City Legal Office to release that business permit of F-Channel 13. By so doing, he might yet end up becoming a statesman and the champion of press freedom in this city rather than the vindictive politician his detractors are now portraying him to be.
