SC green light for EVAT dampens Bacolod Charter Day

Even the heavens helped dampen the celebration of the Bacolod Charter Day anniversary on Tuesday night. A 15-minute heavy downpour sent people scurrying for shelter and halted the streetdancing which started off with widespread enthusiasm.

But the sense of foreboding on the impact of expanded value-added tax (EVAT) on people’s lives is unmistakable. It also promised a "bleak Christmas" for most.

Even Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, a staunch advocate of President Arroyo, came out with a statement that he had recommended the suspension of the EVAT’s implementation to the President at least until after Christmas "if this were possible."

It was relief and gloom that pervaded in Bacolod City as it celebrated its 67th charter anniversary and at the same time grace the semi-formal opening of the Southeast Asian Games. Eleven flags of Southeast Asian countries were seen waving above the makeshift stage with the Villamonte Masskara dancers providing fanfare before midnight.

But amid all the hoopla there prevailed also a sense of gloom as everybody anticipate the impact of EVAT, including a widespread apprehension that it could hasten the downfall of the Arroyo administration, as predicted by Ben Solilapsi of the Alab Katipunan-Negros.

Presidential brother-in-law Rep. Ignacio Arroyo said that implementing the EVAT will be good for business as it will draw in investors and boost the national economy.

But even the normally optimistic Gov. Joseph Marañon pointed out that EVAT will mean an increase not only in prices of basic commodities but of fuel. He predicted that gasoline could reach up to P40 per liter.

"It will mean hard times, particularly to the salaried groups," said Marañon.

Ariel Guides, Sanlas Negros spokesman, added that this will fuel an economic crisis and might speed up GMA’s removal from office.

Correspondingly, he said, there will be more street protests.

CPR will not save GMA

Sen. Richard Gordon stressed that the "calibrated preemptive response" will not save GMA.

Unlike the other CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) that saves lives, GMA’s CPR will not save the presidency, he added.

But the ever ingenious wordsmith said CPR is also called the "calibrated presidential removal." CPR, he added, violates the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression.

He blasted the policemen involved in last Friday’s Mendiola rally dispersal as "uncivilized" as there should have been no violence inflicted by the police.

Gordon was the keynote speaker of the Charter Day celebration the other day.

What the country needs today is a transformational leadership that would right wrongs instead of issuing executive orders (such as EO 464) that only cause antagonism, Gordon said.

He also emphasized that while he remains independent-minded, he also does not believe opposing the government for opposition’s sake. It should be constructive, he added.

"If every time we don’t like the President, we say ‘resign,’ the people will not invest in our country," the lawmaker said.

He expressed belief that the President should stay for six years unless she is impeached. But he also sent her a stinging warning: "Mrs. President, do not be held hostage by your political allies. Do what is right."

Honors for Pacman and Hernaez

It may be a belated tribute, but the late Sen. Pedro Hernaez was honored the other day by Bacolod City officials. City Mayor Evelio Leonardia also paid tribute to Manny Pacquiao, who recently won honors for the country in boxing.

But the most applauded event was the presentation of this year’s three "Ang Banwahanon" awardees — Fr. Emilio Jaruda (OAR), Celia del Castillo and Blanquita Lemoncito.

Jaruda is the president of the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports and Cultural and Educational Association, while Cecilia del Castillo is known all over as the president of the Dungan Bank Inc. and executive director of the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation Inc.

Lemontico, on the other hand, is chairwoman of the Council of Lions Clubs’ Presidents of Negros.

Dr. Del Castillo spearheaded the implementation (or replication) of the Gramen Bank concept of instilling values of thrift and honesty among housewives, who were also introduced into small business entrepreneurship.

She was at one time offered by GMA to head the small enterprises program of the government, but declined it to serve her constituents in various parts of the country, including Cebu and Palawan.

Top business taxpayers were also honored by the city government led by McJola Inc. McDonald’s, One Unlimited Inc., CLP Foods Corp. (Jollibee), Nestlé Philippines and Neo Foods Corp. (Jollibee). Individual taxpayers who received the award were Orly Ong, Rogelio Sy, Jose Ma. Cajili, Nestor Evaristo and Soledad Chua.

CPR legality challenged

The weekend celebration in Bacolod, however, did not mask the Church’s growing disgust for the Arroyo administration when Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, incoming president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, challenged the legality of the calibrated preemptive response policy on anti-government demonstrations.

Archbishop Lagdameo blasted last Friday’s dispersal of a prayer rally in Mendiola.

"The prayer assembly and rosary procession was part of a crusade of civil society for truth, honesty and credibility in government," Lagdameo said.

Because it was a prayer rally and a peaceful assembly, "the violent dispersal of the participants was uncalled for and objectionable."

For Lagdameo, the rally was a "crusade for good governance, which is sadly lacking but very much needed for economic progress. If the people do not believe in their leaders, who can they govern and how can they bring about genuine progress in the economy?"