P’sinan mayor issues public apology to radioman

DAGUPAN CITY — In a rare display of remorse, the mayor of San Carlos City went on air yesterday and publicly apologized for threatening a broadcaster for what he claimed were "vicious attacks" against him.

Mayor Julian Resuello personally went to radio station dzSD Super Radyo at 7 a.m. yesterday and aired his public apology in the program Super Isyu tan Komentaryo of Orly Navarro whom he had threatened with harm.

He said he had to patch up his differences with Navarro, past president of the Pangasinan Press and Radio Club Inc. and station manager of dzSD, "to have a harmonious relationship" with him.

"It was a burst of my emotions. Akoen timet no wala ray agawa tayo ya aliwa (We admit if we commit mistakes)," Resuello said.

Last Jan. 3, Resuello reportedly tried to harm Navarro and shouted invectives at him during a gathering for commenting about alleged jueteng operations in San Carlos City. Two other mayors present pacified the mayor.

In a statement, the Kapisanan ng mga Mamamahayag sa Pangasinan (Kampana), formed as an offshoot of the incident, denounced Resuello’s act as an affront to press freedom.

"I was wrong. But even the President, the Vice President and the senators commit mistakes. We are not perfect. I wasn’t able to hold my emotional outburst," Resuello said.

For his part, Navarro said he was humbled by the mayor’s public apology, but added, "I hope it was sincere."

"Kung ang Diyos ay nakapagpapatawad, tayo pa kaya (If God can forgive, why can’t we)?" he said.

Navarro, however, said that although he has forgiven Resuello, justice must also be served. Resuello said he is ready to face any independent body for any probe but that he hopes the incident would not reach the court.

The provincial chapter of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas opted to withhold a resolution denouncing the mayor’s act.

The Pangasinan Press and Radio Club, on the other hand, decided in an emergency meeting Monday night that Navarro should file a formal complaint first before it could act on the incident.