‘Let Congress decide on Bacolod charter celeb’

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]

[av_heading heading=’‘Let Congress decide on Bacolod charter celeb’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
[/av_heading]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
[/av_textblock]

[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BACOLOD City – Whenever this city must celebrate its establishment as a civil government lies in the hands of Congress, according to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

But the NHCP pointed out that the two key dates in the creation of Bacolod – which have become a point of contention among local officials – “have basis in history.”

Republic Act (RA) 7724 declares Oct. 19 of every year as the Charter Day of Bacolod and makes it a special nonworking public holiday in the city.

But Mayor Evelio Leonardia has been arguing that Bacolod must celebrate its Charter Day every June 18 since the law that created the city, Commonwealth Act 326, was approved on June 18, 1938.

Commonwealth Act 326, “An Act Creating the City of Bacolod,” took effect on its approval on June 18, 1938, “making this date technically the date of the cityhood of Bacolod,” NHCP chairman Rene Escalante wrote Leonardia on Jan. 23.

The historical commission “has always acknowledged” this, said Escalante.

But its inauguration by then President Manuel Quezon on Oct. 19, 1938 “formalized” the creation of Bacolod under Commonwealth Act 326, the NHCP official said.

Both June 18 and Oct. 19 “have basis in history,” Escalante said.

And while Oct. 19 is recognized under RA 7724 as the Charter Day of Bacolod, “only Congress is vested with the power to amend or repeal this law, to which power the NHCP defers,” he said.

On Dec. 3 last year the NHCP also wrote Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., who sought the body’s stand on the issue.

The NHCP told Gamboa that while Commonwealth Act 326 was “enacted” on June 18, 1938, Bacolod City “officially came into corporate existence” when it was inaugurated by Quezon on Oct. 19, 1938 during “foundational rites attended by its people.”

Every year following 1938, the people of Bacolod have celebrated Oct. 19, 1938 as the city’s “Charter/Foundation, thus perpetuating this date as the traditional Charter Day of Bacolod City,” the NHCP said.

The NHCP also noted RA 7724, signed into law on May 19, 1994 by then President Fidel Ramos, as reference.

Leonardia was furnished a copy of the letter, prompting the mayor to write Escalante on Feb. 20.

“With all due respect, I beg to differ with your opinion,” Leonardia wrote, insisting that Bacolod was “born” when Commonwealth Act 326 was approved on June 18, 1938.

“Right there and then, the city was already constituted as a political body corporate and endowed with the attributes and powers of a municipal corporation,” said Leonardia.

House Bill 7044, which seeks to amend RA 7724 and make June 18 of every year the Charter Day of Bacolod, is pending in the Senate.

The House of Representatives has approved House Bill 5875, the original version filed by Rep. Greg Gasataya, a Leonardia political ally.

Leonardia said he appealed to some senators to pass the measure before they take a recess. There are nine session days left, he claimed./PN
[/av_textblock]

[/av_one_full]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here