I can’t campaign for Tito Monching again
Monday, 30 January 2012 00:00
I HAVE always known Tito Ramon G. Tabor because he was my father's classmate in high School and law firm partner when my father decided to engage in private practice. They were partners at the time Tito Monching started his political career with a bid for a seat in the council. Although still in grade six, I campaigned for him, went to motorcades, made our house help distribute leaflets, etc. Through the years, as I was growing up (and perhaps gained a little bit more knowledge), I saw how he progressed as a politician. I and my family have followed his stand on various issues. I must admit, I disagreed with most of what he has advocated for, in the same manner that, with profound vehemence, I disagree with his stand now.
Tito Monching, I hope you will consider these points:
1. Yes, there have been reports that Fr. Barcelon has actively called for responsible mining. Please take special note of the word "responsible." While some sectors support such form of mining, the matter still remains contentious, even among the Jesuits themselves. The Ateneo de Manila University School of Government conducted a study that, "concludes that responsible mining is possible but certain governance conditions must be fulfilled to make this a reality. The Asog compilation of papers identifies these conditions and calls on the national government to impose a moratorium on the approval of new mining agreements and operations until such conditions are met."
2. I submit that there is a huge possibility that some parts of the Church may have interests in mining corporations. But again, being a lawyer yourself, it would be wise to consider that:
a. These would most likely be the Archdiocese and not the archbishops who merely represent these eleemosynary corporations.
b. The archbishops you mentioned are from Manila and Zamboanga. Clearly, they do not have anything to do with the Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro whom you have set your sights on.
c. Granting arguendo that investments have been made by the Archdiocese of Manila and Zamboanga, these investments were made on listed mining corporation. I am sure based on your extensive legal experience that listed corporations mostly only deal with large-scale mining activities with MPSA permits. Of course, you realize that we would not be demanding from you and the council to rule on MPSA permits as we know that is beyond your jurisdiction. What is being currently asked of you and the council is to stop actual small-scale mining operations and large-scale mining operations in the guise of small-scale operations.
3. Pursuant to the supposedly "extensive" report drafted by the Committee on Environment, the council junked the call to put a halt on mining. By doing this, there was a blatant failure to consider all the documentary evidence we've presented. Pictures of large open pits, silted rivers, huge barges, barren mountains, etc. taken very recently do not lie. In the legal parlance, they say res ipsa loquitor. Mining exists and these illegal activities have aggravated the destruction caused by Sendong. You and the council may continue turning a blind eye to these stark realities because you have the luxury of remaining comfortable and distant in your cushy homes atop the hill. In the meantime, the river remains silted, the mountains continue bearing deep crater-like surfaces, farmers continue hearing explosives used in the area and barges continue to go upstream hauling ores. I hope these things you can live with everyday and sleep knowing every night.
4. You have been quoted to have praised the extensive report, saying that, "the [mining] issue must be decided on the reports of the committee chairman and the technical people, not by other people around." Again, with all due respect Tito Monching, this seems to be hasty and dismissive. The very idea of having council sessions and public hearing is to ensure participatory governance. At the risk of sounding preachy as I know you already know, this is the Landmark of a free and democratic society. After all, those elected are merely there to represent the people. Please Tito Monching, do not let hubris dictate you or the city council The people are still the BOSS --- not the council or any of the committees which form part of the council. No matter how many reports there are validating what is patently illegal, the voice people must be heard and the people should decide.
5. Finally, you have been quoted to have said, "for 19 years, my life was molded by the Jesuit community. I am very proud of it... A Jesuit-trained elected public official will decide on issues not on what people say but based on a colleague's report after an investigation." Allow me to remind you Tito Monching because it seems that you may have already forgotten that a true Jesuit-trained individual knows that Vox Populi Est Suprema Lex.
Please know Tito Monching that while you remain to be my father's friend and I will respect you for that, I don't think the sixth grader in me can ever campaign for you again.
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Just a few points addressed to the anonymous source of an ad (published last week):
Save CDO Now! has always been transparent in its composition, the cause it advocates, the principles it espouses, and the plan of action it wishes to take. To be accused of being "shadowy" is not only uncalled for but utterly baseless, grossly askew and every bit biased. Get to know us, hear us, look at what we do (whether as individually or collectively), then judge us. What is shadowy is the use of headless pawns, nom de guerres, anonymity and all the chicanery and machinations that go with it. Any thing written is only as good as its source. If the source of this ad cannot come out, then the value of the ad is as good as he is --- nonexistent!
You say that we have forced people to sign the recall signature sheets, deceived those in the evacuation centers to sign with a promise of relief goods, etc. You also say that this has almost resulted to brawls and violence. To these unfounded accusations, we say:
• We have always been transparent in saying that anyone is free to sign the recall signature sheets. We even posted and announced a place where we will be at so that people can come to us and thus, there will no coercion involved.
• There was never any promise of relief goods. We do not have money and all our efforts are purely voluntary. To be clear on this, we shell out funds from our own pockets. Therefore, we cannot afford to even promise goods or money for each signature that we gather.
• If anyone thinks he or she was forced to sign, we have already previously announced for that person to come forward and we will gladly take his or her name from the sheets. Again, this is a free and voluntary act and even we will not tolerate lies to taint the signature sheets which we hold sacred as the voice of the people.
• If you continue to insist that these in fact took place (including the violence in evacuation centers), again give us details --- name names, cite dates, give locations, etc. We will gladly conduct our own investigation to verify this. If you want, let's investigate together to quell all doubt and bias. If based on the information you provide, these indeed took place, we would be the first to take these names of the list. Again, we do not wish for lies and deceptions to taint the signature sheets.
• It is an irony for someone who is a dastardly coward and cannot face us to say that our methods are underhanded. As the adage goes, it is like a pot calling the kettle black... Not that I would accede to being called a kettle or to being branded black. If you are sure of what you say, by all means come out and say it! And yes, this is a challenge we pose to you and all others who have something to say against us yet continue to hide in anonymity and shame.
By KRISTINE RAVANERA Task Force Macajalar, Save CDO
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