Bacolod Charter Day

The National Historical Commission (NHC), in its December 21, 2012 letter to Congressman Anthony Golez, corrected Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s insistence on celebrating the creation of the City of Bacolod on June 18 which is supported by a local Ordinance 588 dated May 2, 2012.

The NHC letter to Golez clearly read, "The date of the coming into existence of a local government unit (LGU) is distinct from the date of the effectivity of the law creating that LGU."

This is because, same NHC letter quoted Commonwealth Act no. 326 that certain processes are needed to be undertaken before Bacolod could function as a chartered city, among them, is "the selection by the President (in 1938 then was Manuel Quezon) of an appointive Mayor and other officials."

Is the city government, particularly Mayor Evelio Leonardia, his close-in cabal composed of his brother Prospero Leonardia, Hugo "Tutay" Corral, Jose "Peping" Villanueva and Goldwyn Nifras, BAC chair, in the final stages of its "cooking" preparations to ensure that the garbage privatization contract between them and the private company, Metro Waste, be finalized?

In a message published in a regional paper dated June 18, 2012, no less than President Benigno Aquino III of the Republic of the Philippines greeted Bacolod City, for its charter day celebration.

He said, "My warmest greetings to the people of Bacolod City as you celebrate your Charter Day. I congratulate you on this milestone, and it is my hope that you will further be motivated by the collective achievement you celebrate today, along with your storied heritage, your distinct identity, and your pride on your city and your culture. Build on these gains and fortify your efforts to take your city into even greater heights. We in government count on the continued development of Bacolod City, that you may attain your respective goals and contribute to our country’s equitable progress. Empowered by the daylight of hope and reform, we write a new chapter marked by accountability, transparency, integrity and justice." This greeting was signed by the President June 18, 2012.

The insistence of city government officials led by Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia was done inspite of a legal decision by its national representative, Malacañang, that it was a violation of law, RA 7724 aside from the fact that it was already part of the people’s tradition and culture, a very strong basis for the observance of any local, provincial or national event, Lone District Representative Dr. Anthony Golez said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s "Pulso" yesterday, on the insistence of these officials to celebrate the questionable "Charter."