On Mandaue charter day celebration: Cortes family hits plan moving date from Aug. 30 to June 21

The family of the late Demetrio Cortes, Sr., the first mayor of Mandaue City, yesterday questioned the move of city barangay captains to change the date of the city charter day celebration from the usual August 30 to June 21.

In a statement furnished to The Freeman, councilor Jonas Cortes, son of Demetrio, said that changing the date of the celebration is a big insult to his father who played a big role in the conversion of Mandaue into a city in 1969.

"Mugawas man gud nga nasayop ang among amahan (It will appear that our father committed a mistake)," Jonas said, adding that the move will also insult the late Amadeo "Matoy" Seno.

The proposal to change the date of the celebration was contained in a resolution, which was drafted and introduced during the meeting of barangay captains last week, with Tabok barangay captain Emiliano Rosal at the helm.

Jonas questioned the motive of Rosal who did not inform him about it before when he usually met with the latter at the City Hall.

The councilor also assailed the barangay captains' failure to consult with the Cortes family and other sectors that are more knowledgeable on the city charter day celebration. He however thanked some barangay captains who phoned him of the plan and explained to him their side of the issue.

Barangay captains should focus instead their attention to the problems affecting their constituents and not over a matter that creates controversy, said Jonas adding that Rosal should address the problem of flooding in his barangay during downpour.

Jonas said that, in 2004, former councilor Alfonso Albano already proposed to change the city charter day celebration but it failed to get majority support from the city council. "Gibasura na kana nga sugyot sa konseho unya ila na sad ibalik pag-usab. (The council junked it already and now they are trying to revive it)," said Jonas.

Rosal however argued that their action was based on Republic Act 519, or the Mandaue City Charter, which then president Ferdinand Marcos enacted on June 21, 1969. Such law also provides that it will take effect upon its approval, said the barangay captain.

But Jonas countered that, on August 6, 1969 or about a month and a half after the charter's enactment, Marcos signed Proclamation No. 586 declaring August 30 as the date of the formal organization of the Mandaue City government.

"Mao unta ni ang ilang tan-awon sa mga kapitan (The barangay captains should have look into this)," Jonas said as he emphasized that the city has been celebrating its charter day every August 30 since 1969.

Jonas said he had discussed the matter with his brother, the former vice-mayor Demetrio Cortes, Jr., and with former Centro barangay captain Areston "Balodong" Cortes. They eventually agreed to join hands in opposing the move of the barangay captains, said the councilor. - Jose P. Sollano