‘Abuse of power and impunity’

Our condolences to the family of former Health Secretary Alberto “Quasi” Romualdez Jr. who passed away the other day. Mixed clouds of sadness and happiness pervaded an expansively  wreath-lined chapel of Heritage Park in Taguig City where a number of groups held masses and appreciation tributes for the well-liked, amiable medical doctor.  One organizer was Likhaan, an NGO concerned with women and reproductive health rights,  drew  reproductive health advocates together, clad in purple T-shirts (signifying support for the RH bill).

Former Representative  Edcel Lagman, the RH Law’s principal author, spoke of his special friendship with Quasi, his “partner” in the promotion of the bill and other health-related matters. The younger man  he said, would always come to him at all meetings, saying,  â€œI’m reporting for duty, Sir.”

Sen. Pia Cayetano, RH bill author in the Senate, said Quasi was always behind her as she struggled to keep the RH issue heard loud and clear in the Senate plenary hall. UP economics professor Ernie Pernia said the guy was not quasi (meaning almost there) in his quests, but was well ahead of his time with respect to RH.

Likhaan board of trustees chair Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio, said the doctor in the beginning seemed lukewarm about supporting the issue, but eventually became a very strong RH advocate. My colleague Rina David seconded that, saying the doctor was “God’s gift to reproductive health.”

One-liners were given by sociologist Mary Hollnsteiner, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines executive director Glessen Rocas, Dr. Carol Sobritchea of the UP Women’s Studies Center, Beth Angsioco and Dr. Janice Melgar. Joey Alaya and the three Marias (Lolita Carbon, Bayang Barrios and Cooky Chua) sang numbers that touched on love of country, human and women’s rights.

Staying at the sideline, former Health Secretary Jaime Galvez-Tan told me Quasi was his teacher at the UP medical school, and they were assigned to organize the barefoot-doctors system in Leyte.

Why did I say happiness was in the air at an otherwise solemn wake? As flowers were being placed in a basket near Quasi’s casket, there was loud applause and hearty cheering when somebody said, “Mabuhay si Quasi!” Only then did Quasi’s widow, Peachy (seated beside one of her two children), shed tears.

Quasi’s passing away is just another step in the journey to making reproductive health a major concern of men and women in this country.

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Responding to my column last week, prominent judicial figure Alfredo F. Tadiar sent a letter regarding an unauthorized reclamation project in San Fernando City. While the Philippine Reclamation Authority  (PRA) has written the city mayor to ask the Soiltech Agricultural Products Corporation  to refrain from undertaking reclamation works, and the city  legal officer said since the project has no prior permit and approval by the PRA, it should be discontinued. But no compliance of the requirements has been made by the concerned party. I reproduce  former Judge Tadiar’s letter:

 â€œ I am an avid reader of your widely admired and influential column From the Stands in The Philippine STAR Opinion section.

“Today, 22 October 2013, you wrote about Senator Cynthia “Villar vs. reclamation,” a public issue that is central to my current advocacy. This matter, for which I seek your full support, is all about seeking to make local government accountable and strike a blow against governmental abuse of power and impunity, a cultural flaw that must be forcefully stricken down.

“Along San Fernando Bay, La Union, a large reclamation project is going on that is being undertaken by Soiltech Agricultural Products Corporation, with the active encouragement of the City Government without any authority from the PHILIPPINE RECLAMATION AUTHORITY.

 â€œOn October 2, 2013, the City Legal Officer of San Fernando City, Atty. Verselle E. Limos,  rendered a Legal Opinion stating , that:

“Although Soiltech Agricultural Products Corporation complied with the requirements imposed by the City Government, the same is not sufficient because it has no prior permit and approval by the Philippine Reclamation Authority or the President of the Philippines”

“On September 18, 2013, The PHILIPPINE RECLAMATION AUTHORITY has written to the City Mayor to “enjoin the cooperation and assistance of whoever has been responsible for said illegal/unauthorized reclamation to refrain from undertaking further reclamation works and development thereon”.

 â€œThe Acting City Mayor has assured the Phil. Reclamation Authority of its cooperation. Despite his assurance, however, the illegal reclamation work continues unabated as shown by photographs taken on site on October 20, 2013 and my own personal verification. This shows UTTER DISREGARD OF THE RULE OF LAW,  deplorably encouraged  by the prevailing culture of impunity.”

“ I have written to DENR Secretary  Paje asking him to rescind the 25 -year lease contract that he had unwittingly executed with Soiltech. I attach a copy for your ready reference.

“The cause  that I am fighting for needs publicity and the pressure of  the fourth estate if It is to succeed to stop LAWLESSNESS! 

“Thank you for your invaluable assistance to this worthy cause.” – ALFREDO F. TADIAR

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Calling all romantics and the young at heart. Listen, and watch, the  world-famous Lettermen as they  perform at the Manila Hotel tent dinner concert on November 12. The legendary band was founded more than 50 years ago, and performed in Manila three years ago. This second time around, they will be singing old favorites, such as “When I Fall in Love,” “The way You Look tonight,” “Theme  from a Summer Place,” “Going Out  of My Head,” “Love Is a Many Splendored Things,” and many more, including Christmas songs to launch their Christmas CD.

Beneficiaries of the show are Rotary Club District 3810, End Polio Now, and Bohol victims through Rotary Club  Manila 101 initiated by FC President Joyce Reyes.

For  inquiries call  9115615 .

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With the approaching golden anniversary of the U.P. Sigma Alpha Sorority next year, the officers, directors and members of the sorority  alumnae association are holding “Dance for a Cause” on October 26, Saturday, 7 pm at Savannah Moon , Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City.  

The show is part of the 49th anniversary of the sorority which  was founded on Oct. 24, 1964. Proceeds will go to its scholarship program.  

The show, held under the leadership of its president Andrea “Didi” Dizon-Domingo, a dance competitor herself, will feature the dancing prowess of Filipino dancers who have competed and won in international dance competitions like Black Pool Competitors Genevieve Gozum-Eeroles and Richard Rey Obong, and dancers and scholars of the Central Luzon Cultural Foundation.

The sorority has adhered closely to its ideals of academic excellence. Among its prominent members are Supreme Court Justice  Teresita Leonardo-De Castro ; Court of Tax Appeals  Justice Amelia Cotangco-Manalastas;  Ambassador to China Erlinda Fadera–Basilio,  Ambassador Linglingay Fonacier–Lacanlalae; former Phil. Bar Association president Atty. Rita Linda Ventura– Jimeno,; economist-banker Rosalina de la Paz–Magat; US Diplomat Corazon Sandoval-  Foley; Isabelita Manalastas–Watanabe; ACPC Executive  Director Jovita Corpuz; psychologist Cristina Lope Rosello–Gates , award winning writer and author Ligaya Tiamson-Rubin,  and first woman dean of the UP College of Agriculture Candida Bernabe-Adalla.

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