Naga, Batac sign sisterhood accord

CEBU, Philippines - The City of Naga last Saturday forged a sisterhood agreement with Batac City, Ilocos Norte.

Mayor Valdemar Chiong of the City of Naga said the agreement is seen to strengthen the bonds between the two cities, especially that they still have to be accepted by the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).

“Nag-originate ang sisterhood agreement at that time nga gi-question ang constitutionality sa 16 cities. Sa among struggle nagkasuod, karon nga successful na mi, padayon gihapon nga magkatinabangay,” Chiong said.

The signing, with Naga being represented by Chiong and Batac by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta, was made last Saturday morning at the city hall of Naga.

Batac is also among the 16 towns declared as cities the constitutionality of which was questioned by the LCP in 2008.

After the flip-flopping decision, the Supreme Court, where the LCP’s petition was filed, rendered a final decision last year, reinstating the constitutionality of the 16 cities.

Despite this, however, the LCP still could not accept them, that it still has challenged their cityhood as stated in one of the grounds of impeachment Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Hence, Chiong said that because of the situation, they have no other option but “to help each other.”

Carcar City, one of the 16 cities, has also recently joined the sisterhood.

Chiong said he hopes the rest will also do the same for a “stronger alliance.”

Chiong said they will set to meet this Friday in Manila to invite the rest of the new cities to join them, and also “to hopefully” tackle their stand on Corona’s impeachment.

The mayor said he personally supports Corona as according to him he has been consistent in voting in favor of the 16 cities even before he became the Chief Justice.

“In my opinion di na apil sa question sa iyang competence kay consistent man na siya. Gikan na sa House of Representatives, Senate, President ang Cityhood Laws. Igo lang ni-confirm ang pila ka justices,” he said. - THE FREEMAN