Local News: Pnoy Duped to Greet Bacolod City’s Charter Day on June 18?

Radio and TV Broadcaster Franklin Villanueva showed yesterday a letter signed by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte how subtle the way a certain Rogelio Giganan requested President Benigno Aquino III to write "A Bacolod Charter Day" greeting published by a newspaper of regional circulation.

Valte’s letter was in response to Villanueva’s written query about Malacañang officials position on the matter of "a city ordinance superseding Republic Act 7722" but said letter did not dwell on the issue.

It clearly recognized, however, the controversial issue hounding the transfer of Bacolod Charter Day celebration traditionally held every October 19 but, "the request (of one Rogelio Giganan) made no mention of any controversial issue relative to the celebration of the Charter Day."

The lady Presidential Spokesperson added in her letter dated June 25, saying that the "request was processed in good faith," thus President Aquino wrote a greeting message mentioning June 18 as the "Bacolod Charter Day".

Villanueva’s reservation on the other hand is how Mayor Evelio Leonardia and ally councilors Caesar Distrito and Em Ang could use the President’s message as a conclusive document that would legitimize their "claims in history".

Worst, the Office of the President is dragged into believing and supporting a hallowed event that cannot stand the test of a Republic Act, history and tradition and the means according to Villanueva is "subtle therefore sinister" (this was said in Hiligaynon)

Valte’s letter to Villanueva likewise is an indication that Congressman Anthony Golez did not lobby for an adverse decision against the City Ordinance principally authored by Distrito, as there was no hint that the controversy is known to the Office.

The letter "of one Rogelio Giganan" obviously was too simplistic devoid of explanation to fully apprise the President in the drafting of his message which could best address the significance of June 18, 1938 for the people of Bacolod and Negros Occidental.

Professor of School Legislation in the doctoral level Dr. Norma Juarez-Roque explained that June 18 should rather be a solemn recognition of all Negrense Assemblymen led by Pedro Hernaez who worked for the passage of Commonwealth Act 326 and signed by President Manuel Quezon June 18, 1938.

Quezon ordered September 30 as the date of the inauguration as this is most appropriate in giving ample time for the "Municipality of Bacolod" to be organized under a City Mayor, then in the person of Alfredo Montelibano, Sr.

Fortuitous event however, prompted Montelibano to move the date three times and finally decided to hold the inauguration October 19, 1938.

Juarez-Roque explained that Leonardia and allies should be thorough in differentiating the passage, the signing, the implementation, the inauguration and the Republic Act that covers the Bacolod Charter Day.*