Awardees urged: Help shape Phl

CEBU, Philippines - One of the recipients of The Outstanding Cebuano Award (TOCA) this year challenged his fellow awardees to help shape national affairs by being the best in their respective fields.

In a speech during the awarding ceremony Saturday, Columnist Erik Miguel Espina, son of former senator and Cebu governor Rene Espina, also said it might be about time for a Cebuano voice to be heard in the national platform.

“If current trends continue today, only Luzon-based politicians, popular personalities, unprepared for the demands of national office, if not mga bobo, will be occupying the national office or the highest offices of the land,” said Espina.

Tackling the controversial Charter Change, Espina said what the Philippines needs are political amendments and not economic amendments as what are being hoisted in Manila. He said the changes being pushed would allow foreigners to “influence” and “invade” the country and eventually control politics.

“What we need are political amendments,” he said.

Espina’s proposal includes setting the term of office of local officials and congressmen to four years from the present three years.

He said that to strengthen accountability, it would be better if the President’s term will be four years with one chance for reelection.

He said it would also be better if there will be four senators representing each of the major island groups - Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. If this happens, with 24 senators in total, there would be a total of eight representatives from each major island groups in succeeding elections.

Espina is an awardee in the field of journalism.

The TOCA awarding ceremony was the highlight of 30th anniversary of DYDD’s “Tingog Sa Lungsod Program.” The awarding ceremony was last Saturday night at the Sacred Heart Center.

The other awardees were Engr. Grecilda “Gigi” Zaballero in the field of engineering-invention; businessman Anthony Glenn Soco in the field of entrepreneurship, Gavino “Borgy” Abejo Jr. in the field of contracting; Cebu City Councilor Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa in the field of education; Junard “Ahong” Chan in the field of management; Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella in the field of public service; Loreto Maratas in the field of community service; Capt. Pom-pie Mondejar in the field of shipping services; and Engr. Vicente Vosotros in the field of engineering. —(FREEMAN)