Baseless accusations

MANILA, Philippines - Please allow me to take exception to the negative article on Taguig and my family written by Mr. Alex Magno in his column First Person, published in The Philippine STAR yesterday, 2 July 2009.

We have the highest respect for The Philippine STAR because of its fair, unbiased and well researched reporting. Unfortunately, Mr. Magno’s column regarding Taguig, was not fair, unbiased or well researched. We have gotten used to the occasional biased reports that have come our way, but we were truly disappointed in what can only be described as a hatchet job done on us. 

Baseless accusations, mangled facts and outright lies may have become standard fare in some of the local tabloids; but prominent columnists like Mr. Magno should be more prudent in coming out with their opinion which can make or break the subject of their column in the eyes of their readers.

This nasty story linking my name to illegal drugs and its proliferation in Taguig has been peddled off in several papers in what is obviously an organized attempt to besmirch the city and my family’s reputation. 

Is there a drug problem in Taguig? Yes, there is, as is the case with most of the urban areas in the metropolis. Addicts and pushers have become the bane of our society, regardless of place, age, sex or social class.

Are we doing something about the problem, or worse yet are we the cause of the problem? This is where the column of Mr. Magno gets malicious. The City Government has always prioritized the peace and order and anti-illegal drugs campaign. Anyone caught using and selling illegal drugs, is dealt with to the full extent of the law — regardless of who they are. There is no special treatment. The sin of omission that Mr. Magno refers to would be a sin if no arrests are made or no one is put behind bars. But that is exactly the point that we make. No one, especially not a Tinga, is above the law.

Arrests have been made and continue to be made, and the guilty placed behind bars — including any who happen to bear my last name, and the records will bear this out. There have been hundreds of drug arrests in Taguig, and yet nary a word is written about it. PDEA and the Philippine National Police officials will tell you that the City Government is very active in the anti-drug drive and very supportive of their operations. It is preposterous to suggest otherwise.

What saddens us is that this is a smear campaign being peddled by those who obviously have an interest in Taguig. The negative issues and stories have their fingerprints all over them. There are many politicians who have vested interests and are now setting their sights on Taguig. But to get there, they first have to bring down those who currently serve.

It is very easy to destroy people and reputations. We are trying very hard to create a good name for our city, but it takes very little on the part of the media to besmirch it. Taguig is the fastest growing city in the Philippines, not in small part due to the actions and policies of the local government. But this rapid rise has also brought with it a slew of problems, which we are trying to address. To suggest that we are not doing anything or that we are the cause of these problems is a terrible falsehood.

Being a public official is hard enough in this country. We are much maligned, and sometimes for good reason. But I would like to think that in the case of Taguig’s public servants, our efforts and accomplishments will bear out the fact that we have improved and continue to improve the lives of our constituents. It will not be easy but by becoming more responsible citizens, in whatever job we do, we can all create a better country for our children.

Thank you very much and more power! — SIGFRIDO R. TINGA, Mayor, City of Taguig