A sigh of relief
By Leonardo Galvez
8 Sept 2012
The collection of city tax imposed on colleges and universities hit a snag with the favorable decision of Judge Genoveva Maramba. The credit goes to none other than the indefatigable Lyceum-Northwestern University President Gonz Tiongson Duque. He single-handedly questioned the city’s power to tax in the absence of a binding ordinance “to tax”.
It’s still a long way to go before the case is decided in its finality. But, what amused and amazed me is the civic consciousness of this guy. Considering that it’s a civil case, the filing fee alone has cost him a fortune. I’m not aware if he shouldered the whole amount, but if not, the others who are similarly situated like him should have to share.
Gonz is always in the forefront in almost imaginable problems besetting the city. Visiting the City of Bonuan Bangus in May last year, he showed me the files of garbage along the streets when he invited me to tour (go around) his school. What I saw are uncollected garbage whose occupants are over sized flies feasting on the unwanted stuff.
For concerned Dagupenos, these are not only an eye sore but “might cause the one-eyed politicians being inflicted with a sore eye”.
Why can’t the supposedly civic-minded citizens organize a common front and work out with Sunday Punch or any other weeklies and radio stations and come out with a united stand to fight graft and corruption in the city hall?
I nominate Gonz as the ad interim leader until such time that a permanent one is chosen. Don’t wait for another Leo Angeles. Be one like him.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
