Smooth transition

EXPORTERS, fish farmers and plant workers have something to cheer about with the re-opening of the Seafood Processing Plant in Dagupan after almost half a year of hiatus due to politics. Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (BFAR-NIFTDC) and appointed interim manager of the plant, along with the Korean benefactors who funded the P100-million facility, are also breathing a big sigh of relief that the facility’s machineries will no longer be under threat of deterioration due to inactivity.

But the resumption of the seafood plant’s operation, following the concurrence of city officials in a meeting with BFAR top officials, is only half the problem solved.

The plant’s future, which will be important to the aquaculture industry of not just Dagupan City but other coastal and seafood-producing parts of the province, still rests on officials coming to terms with the privatization of the facility. The Memorandum of Agreement that will determine the privatization would be best finalized and guaranteed for implementation before the local elections next year. Otherwise, who knows what political wrangling will again come into play. As it is, given the plant’s short but already tumultuous history, not many potential investors would likely be eagerly lining up to buy and take over the facility. It is equally crucial that the privatization process is implemented efficiently to ensure a smooth transition of the plant’s operations and management.

Until that is settled, those depending on the plant will remain haunted by the fear that politics might again hold it hostage and negatively impact on business and employment.

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Miriam rage

A Supreme Court ruling in the case of Administrative Matter No. RTJ-06-2017, June 19, 2008, has counseled judges to avoid using language that are “inflammatory, excessively rhetoric vile… be refined in speech; exhibit that temperament of utmost sobriety and self-restraint; and be considerate, courteous and civil to all persons who come to their courts.”

In the said case, the respondent judge uttered comments like, “what kind of a lawyer are you?” and “the problem with you people is you do not use your heads.”

Romeo M. Escareal, a retired justice of the Sandiganbayan, said the Supreme Court ruled that “was undignified and very unbecoming of a judge.” He said the Supreme Court found the judge guilty of gross ignorance of the law and was dismissed from the service.

Doesn’t a certain Miriam also seemingly habitually inflict rage on us via national TV in the ongoing Corona impeachment trial?

Your answer is as good as ours.

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