Finally, positive news from Iloilo

The furor over the assault on the Iloilo provincial capitol has not died down. But, perhaps, just for a few days, the brickbats over the incident would ebb a bit as some 300 of the country’s top golfers descend on the Sta. Barbara Golf Course to unveil the historic marker for the country’s first golf course.

The ceremonial tee-off of the Mayor Jerry Treñas Cup was paced by British Ambassador Peter Beckingham and former President Fidel V. Ramos, according to Oscar Nava, the event organizer.

Players from Australia, the United States, Japan, Korea, England, Germany, Guam and New Zealand are also expected to join the golf tourney.

Most importantly, according to Nava, Mick Shopland, head of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews of Scotland, and his wife have reportedly arrived in the country.

Other participants included DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lastimoso, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos. They have signed up for the 36-hole course tourney.

Actually, it was the centennial year of the Sta. Barbara Golf and Country Club which was put up by Scot engineers of the Philippine National Railway Company way back in 1907.

The centenary launch featured the Monday start of the 6th Mayor Jerry Treñas Cup.

Yesterday was the ceremonial unveiling of the centennial marker. The ceremonies, which started at 10 a.m., were ushered in by a Mass celebrated by Fr. Bernard Ba. Spaandnonk, MHM.

After the National Anthem, Dr. Noel Binayas, chairman of the centenary committee, delivered the welcome remarks.

The unveiling of the marker was conducted by Ambeth Ocampo, chairman of the National Historical Institute and chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

He was assisted by former President Ramos, Chief Justice Reynaldo Puno, Mayor Treñas, Sta. Barbara Mayor Isabelo Maquino, and members of the board of the Iloilo Golf and Country Club Inc.

The historical marker was then blessed and Ocampo presented it to the club officials and the guests.

The certificate of transfer of the marker was signed on behalf of the Iloilo Golf and Country Club by Frankie Locsin, the president, and Dr. Noel Binayas, chairman of the Sta. Barbara Golf Course centenary committee, and the Iloilo Golf and Country Club Inc. together with general manager Romeo Jamerland.

The signatories for the NHI were Ocampo, executive director Ludovico Badoy, and deputy executive director Emelita Almosara.

Locsin accepted the marker on behalf of the Iloilo Golf and Country Club officials.

Antonio Silloriquez, PRO of the club, acted as moderator of the press conference.

A Commission on Human Rights officials, apparently in answer to the claim by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez that CHR officials simply watched the TV footages, yesterday pointed out during a press conference in Iloilo, "We just have watched the TV footages and came out with the same findings… there were violations of human rights."

Negros Occidental board member described the dispersal as the height of political arrogance and a tack of martial law.

What is ominous is the possibility that the call for the resignation of Interior and Local Government Ronaldo Puno and Gonzalez may snowball this week, especially with the forthcoming meeting of the League of Provinces.

Rep. Joeben Miraflores of Aklan told Antique Gov. Sally Zaldivar-Perez: "What you (the five Western Visayas governors) are doing is good and should be listened to by the President."

Gov. Perez told me that she and Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado had been given by the President 72 hours to ask Tupas to vacate his post. In short, the ugly incident at the provincial capitol could have been avoided had the officials been a little patient and diplomatic.

"Not even while we were asking for half an hour, DILG regional director Evelyn Trompeta simply went ahead with the order for the PNP to forcibly eject Tupas from the capitol," said Gov. Perez.

"(It’s) a pity because the President had nothing to do with the entire incident but has to reap the whirlwind of public outrage," was how Perez, who chairs the Regional Development Council, put it.

Anyway, the more important thing is that this weekend marks the Dinagyang of Iloilo. And already, despite the capitol incident, Ilonggos and visitors have started their celebration of the feast of Sto. Niño. Hala, Bira.