Noy hits Baguio’s ‘zigzag governance’

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – This City of Pines, popular for decades for the winding Kennon Road, should stop the “zigzag governance” it has been practicing for several years under its local leadership, President Aquino said here Sunday.

Aquino lamented that Baguio City is no longer the city of pines. He said Baguio has a “Mines-less View Park,” a cave that is no longer crystal, not to mention the stalactites and stalagmites that have been lost to urban development over the years.

If the status quo is sustained, then it will hard for the national government to lure foreign tourists to the country, primarily because the natural beauty Baguio has been known for will no longer exist in the future, he said.

Aquino criticized Mayor Mauricio Domogan for virtually raping the summer capital’s assets by abusing its treasured pristine environment.

He said the type of governance shown by its local chief executive “is similar to (my) predecessor,” referring to former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Aquino led the campaign rally of the administration’s Team PNoy held in Melvin Jones grandstand here, with only five of the 12 senatorial candidates appearing.

Domogan, of the United Nationalist Alliance, is  a former colleague of Aquino in the House of Representatives. He is a known political ally of Arroyo.

During the rally, Aquino cited the proposed Baguio charter he vetoed, saying that the local government unit seemed to want presidential powers.

“If we read the Constitution, only the President and commander-in-chief can call out the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police to quell any disturbances,” Aquino said.

He said he vetoed the proposed Baguio charter by striking out the provision granting Domogan powers during civil disturbances.

Aquino endorsed the candidacy of Jose Molintas against Domogan in the mayoralty race.

He enumerated the environmental degradation Baguio City had suffered since the ’60s and ’70s, when the city was called a “paradise.”

“We must choose the straight path, not the zigzag policy of some of our local officials,” Aquino said.

“I appeal to the people of Baguio and Cordillera. If you wanted these people to stay in power then it would result in more degradation of Baguio,” he said in Filipino.

For his part, Team PNoy campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon said they are not threatened by the political clout of Domogan, as he expressed confidence of their victory in the May 13 elections.