7 COMMUNITY SENSE EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 10 ISSUE 101 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2017
Law dean says duties must accompany rights A
dean of a Davao school of law and prominent practicing lawyer stressed the importance of people’s duties to go with their rights as citizens. Lawyer Ramon Edison C. Batacan, dean of the newly revived law school of the Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC), discussed the subject as guest of honor and chief inducting officer of the installation of officers of Davao Ys Men’s Club of Davao , an international movement, led by Albor V. Batao Jr. recently. Batacan, managing partner of the Batacan Montejo & Vicencio Law Firm and past governor of Eastern Mindanao of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), lauded the advocacy of Y Men’s club’s of promoting opportunities for volunteerism, fellowship, involvement, leadership and personal growth within the community and even worldwide. Finding commonality with the club, Batacan said he was a volunteer himself when he joined the Ateneo Legal Services Office when he was still in law school and for nine straight years, he was extending legal aid before going into mainstream practice of law, adding that he continues to do pro bono cases until today.
He said the Y Men’s theme of “Acknowledge the duty that accompanies every right” conveys a very strong message to all mankind. “The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities-- to one another, to our families, and to the larger society,” the lawyer said. “It also finds basis in our civil law. Art 19 of the civil code provides that : “Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and in the performance of his duties, act with justice, give everyone his due and observe honesty and good faith.” “All of us Filipinos have rights. For example, the right to a free expression, the freedom of press, the right against imprisonment for non-payment of a debt, right to due process among others. All these are guaranteed by the constitution,” he said. But as claimants of these rights, is it enough for us to enjoy them?
PILLARS AND GUESTS. On top photo, pillars of the Y’s Men Club of Metro Davao, an international movement affiliated with the icnonic Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), headed by newy-inducted president Albor V. Batao Jr. (seated) pose for posterity with their guests headed by lawyer Ramon Edison C. Batacan, dean of the law school of the Rizal Memorial Col-
framework of duties which grants them their full meaning, can run wild, leading to an escalation of demands which is effectively unlimited and indiscriminate. He quoted St. John XXIII, in his writing, Peace on Earth, which said : “Every basic human right draws its authoritative force from the natural law, which confers it and attaches to it its respective duty. Hence, to claim one’s rights and ignore one’s duties, or only half fulfill them, is like building a house with one hand and tearing it down with the other.” Batacan also added that U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower once said, “People who value their privileges above their principles, soon loses both.” Aside from president Batao, who took over from immediate past president May B. Divino, the other officers inducted were YM Fernando S. Ongkingco Jr., vice president; YM Ulysses Y. Solis, secretary; IPP YM Divino, treasurer; YM Wendell B. Udan, auditor; and YM Mariano R. Alquiza, YM Vicente B. Banes Jr., YM Jose B. Custodio, YM Ma. Lita A. Montalban, YM Jose N. Valenzuela Jr. and YM Leoncio P. Villa-Abrille, directors.
leges (RMC), in the culmination of the 28th installation of club’s officers and directors. Among those in the photo are Atty. Leoncio P. Villa-Abrille, Atty. Ricardo Villegas, Engr. Fernando S. Ongkingco Jr., Jose B. Custodio, Engr. Jose N. Valenzuela Jr., Ulysses Y. Solis and Wendell B. Udan.
Tribal village to remain a Davao City attraction
T
TURNOVER. At left, Albor V. Batao Jr., newy-inducted Y’s Men Club of Metro Davao president, receives the symbol gavel of responsibility from immediate part president May B. Divino.
Do we stop after enjoying them? Some of us will agree, advancing the reason, after-all, it is our right, the government ought to give us that right. A case in point is this Pandamay thing, referring to the controversial Kadamay organization, He said the members claim to be marginalized. It demanded for a mass housing for their members. “They seized and occupied an NHA (Natrional Housing Authority) housing project, refusing to leave until their demands are met. “They were supposed to be ejected but the government relented…… in the name of social justice. “They were given houses. They claim it is their right afterall. Now, they complain again. The house is small for a decent living, they live in a pig pen. It is very hot, they need an air-conditioner. Free water, free electricity. The list is unending. “Why is this so? he asked. “Because of a wrong understanding of what right is,” he said lamenting that some people do not have the concept of responsibility in their understanding of a right. If we do not incorporate responsibility in the exercise of every right, the end result is tyranny, Dean Batacan said. So, rights, when detached from a
he City Tourism Operations Office (CTTO) is mulling on making the Tribal Village inside the Magsaysay Park a city attraction after it drew positive feedbacks from tourists during the week-long Kadayawan Festival, which concluded on Sunday. Tourism officer Generose Tecson said she already talked to Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio regarding the plan to continue with the tribal village which showcases the rich culture, cuisine, and tradition of the city’s 11 tribes. “Maybe, we will let them (lumads) rest first after the Kadayawan and we will talk to them about the plan. Our initial talk with mayor is to continue the village and we will just set up mechanics for the village,” she said.
The tribal village was one of the new highlights of this year’s Kadayawan festival. Since its launching last August 14, the tribal village lured local and foreign tourists. “We are happy because that is the purpose of the festival, to let everyone understand the culture of the 11 tribes, it is good to note that our visitors are amazed about how we live harmoniously despite differences,” Tecson said. For the construction of the Kadayawan village’s tribal houses, the city government gave PHP100,000 each to all 11 tribes. Assessing this year’s Kadayawan, festival director Gatchi Gatchalian said that despite the martial law tourists still flocked here to celebrate the festival noting that all hotels here are fully booked. (ASP/PNA)
DEAN R.E. BATACAN
More tuna allocation for Davao mart eyed T he Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region XI (BFAR-XI) on Monday bared it has submitted the request of the Davao City government to increase tuna allocation per day from the Davao Fish Port for non-exportable products from 3.5 metric tons to 20 metric tons. BFAR-XI regional director Fatma Idris said, “I have already endorsed the request of the city government as facilitated by Davao City Councilors Marissa Abella and Conrado Baluran.” Idris said the request was submitted to the Department of Agriculture central office last August 17. Idris said the 3.5 MT allocation was contained in the certification issued by then Agriculture secretary Luis Lorenzo of the Necessity to Import Fresh/Chilled/Frozen Tuna-like Fish Species for distribution in Davao City wet markets effective November 17, 2003. Idris said that together with
the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority headed by general manager Glen Pangapalad “we are supporting said request”. “Sa dami ng bisita ng (With so many visitors of) Davao City there is really a big demand for tuna products,” she said. Idris said it is only the Department of Agriculture this time under Secretary Emmanuel Pinol who can amend the order. She cited Baluran’s statement that way back in 2010, based on the study of the Davao City Agriculturist Office, the demand had gone up to 60 metric tons daily. Idris is positive the request will be granted although there is a need to consult stakeholders because it will be presented to the Fisheries and Resources Management Council (FARMC). Idris said the buyers in the wet markets are the “institutional buyers” namely restaurants, hospitals, jails and processing plants. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)
NO TO FAKE NEWS. Criminology students do the thumb-down sign at the scholastic outreach program on “Let’s Get Real on Fake News” at the Andres Bonifacio College in Dipolog City. They were among the 240 participants from 6 schools who attended the seminar organized by the Philippine Press Institite (PPI) with support from Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC). The final legs will be held in Bacolod and Dumaguete. (Photos by Kier Labrador of PPI