Independence, impeachment, inclusivity

As genuine independence for our country remains an elusive dream, many recent national/local events are taking more prominence now than today’s 127Th year of independence, reminding us why we are not truly free yet as a people, as a nation.

By a vote of 18-5, the dilly-dallying Senate remanded the impeachment issue back to the House of Representatives.

Why is our country not fully independent?

Just look at the present Senate.

Instead of seeking the truth about corruption/plunder of people’s money, the “dis”-honorable 15 chose to prioritize their own political agenda, chose to display their ignorance of our Constitution, and, chose to continue patronage politics that has imprisoned our people for centuries!

What will happen after that remand decision of the infamous 15?

Reposting here this reminder from Ronnie Holmes about the “outrage at the Impeachment Trial of 2001:
"But it's also important to acknowledge how many ordinary citizens were genuinely outraged when senators blocked the opening of an envelope believed to reveal the identity of the true account holder—a detail that, ironically, later turned out to be inconsequential. That moment of blatant obstruction sparked public anger and ultimately triggered EDSA 2, where not only segments of the elite but, more crucially, organized groups and mass movements called for Estrada’s resignation."

Anticipating further delay or dropping of the impeachment trial at the Senate, multisectoral protests have been readied from here on.

Will that public outrage once again be displayed soon, in the coming days and weeks?
Like a riveting telenovela, the impeachment drama is certainly one deemed more
important than today’s Independence Day.

In Cebu, multisectoral groups were caught by surprise about a public hearing on the Zoning Ordinance scheduled for June 11, a day before 2025 Independence Day.

CSOs protested about the lack of inclusivity, of consultation about the proposed 150-page Zoning Ordinance for Cebu City which is closely linked to the proposed CLUP (Cebu City Comprehensive Land Use Plan).

Two years back, in February, multisectoral partners drew a position paper about the proposed CLUP which highlighted this most important point that any proposed CLUP should be inclusive/consultative/participatory, data-based, responsive to immediate/ prospective needs of people/economy/environment.

Twelve-point proposals were raised for the CLUP’s vision/mission, process and contents to include comparative review of previous CLUPs, climate change/disaster management/social housing/watersheds/organic farming/informal sector/waste management/coastal greenbelt zones/other sustainable development goals for better protection of people and planet.

Sharing here our fellow vendors’ concerns (also shared by other multisectoral partners) about the June 11th Public Hearing:
 1) Absence of an Approved CLUP - to pass a zoning ordinance without an approved CLUP raises important questions of procedural validity and could inadvertently expose the City to future legal/administrative challenges;
2) Concerns of Timing/Transition - The public hearing occurs during the final days of the outgoing administration. Appealing for moratorium to allow the incoming Mayor/Vice Mayor, together with the newly elected City Council, to lead this important legislative process with broader consultation/renewed legitimacy;
3) Stakeholder Engagement/Due Consultation - the Local Government Code (RA 7160) and Executive Order 72 state that zoning ordinances must be formulated with the participation of affected stakeholders.
Many vendors/residents, particularly in the Carbon Market area, report not having been consulted/involved in the process of CLUP drafting or zoning review, despite being among the most affected, and,  
4) Cultural and Social Sensitivity - Carbon Public Market is more than a physical space; it is a living ecosystem of commerce/culture/community trust built over generations and any reclassification, especially from Institutional to Commercial, may be interpreted as undermining its heritage value and paving the way for commercialization/privatization.

“This petition is not an act of opposition but a respectful appeal for INCLUSIVITY, prudence/ due process. May Cebu City be guided by transparency, community participation, respect for our shared heritage. Together, let us build Cebu with integrity/inclusion/foresight.”