MMDA dares CHR to file charges against them
07/24/2008 | 04:12 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday challenged the Commission on Human Rights to prove allegations that some of their personnel committed human rights abuses during sidewalk clearing operations against illegal vendors.
“I challenge the CHR to formally file charges against the members of the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG) found to have violated human rights in the conduct of their duty," said MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.
Interviewed after a Metro Manila Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting, Fernando said it is "too irresponsible" for CHR head Leila De Lima to make public pronouncement on the agency’s supposed human rights abuses without supporting documents.
“If our personnel really committed such act, I challenge them (CHR) to charge these personnel in court instead of making public pronouncement on our supposed human right violations,” Fernando said.
Fernando said it is premature for the CHR to come up with a statement prejudging the agency of human rights abuses when they have yet to receive copies of the complaints, if any.
“It’s too irresponsible, premature for her to have said those things in public. It’s like they have condemned us already without trial,” Fernando said.
The above story is in answer to a news item from the day before:
Human rights chief deplores MMDA's iron fist
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) deplored the violent evictions being enforced by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) against informal settlers and sidewalk vendors.
CHR Chairwoman Leila de Lima said forced evictions and destruction of goods being sold by informal settlers and sidewalk vendors are also human rights violations.
De Lima also said carting away the vendors goods may be tantamount to robbery.
"May mga nagreklamo po sa amin na kinuha ang kanilang kagamitan. That's already robbery and that is a grave violation [of rights]," she said.
De Lima said the MMDA should help illegal settlers find legal areas to be occupied instead of just forcing them out.
"Nagiging very high handed ang MMDA.. authoritarian ang approach, and that is not good. Kelangan tulungan sila (illegal settlers), hindi ‘yung ganyan ang pagtatrato. It has become really alarming," she said.
De Lima added that a complaint against the MMDA has already been lodged in her office. However, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando has failed to attend the hearings.
She warns that the MMDA may be cited for contempt if it fails to appear before the rights body.
Fernando, however, defended the MMDA's approach in evicting illegal vendors.
"Ang regulasyon namin talagang to destroy the goods in front of the owners. Para wala silang masabi na pinagiinteresan [ang kanilang kalakal]," said Fernando.
He also said that his men are just doing what they were trained to do.
"Ang aming mga tao passed through rigorous training. Basta kami hindi namin sila tinuruan ng masama," said Fernando.
Hokay ... it is clear to me that the MMDA Chairman's idea of the word "masama" is so greyed out that he himself can no longer distinguish it.
And while the Commission of Human Rights has finally called a spade an effing shovel, nothing will happen while this curious relationship between GMA and Fernando exists.
Why curious?
While the MMDA Chairman has long made clear his intention to run in 2010, thus announcing himself as most suitable replacement for GMA, he has also positioned himself as number one sycophant for the person and position he is intending to replace.
On the other hand, GMA seems to be letting him dig his own grave, offering neither encouragement or admonishment each time the MMDA chairman comes under fire. And that he has, several times, from all points of the compass.
What is sad about this situation however, is the grave that the MMDA chairman is digging is not his own, but that of the people his office has chosen to eradicate.
