Protests greet SOCA of Zamboanga mayor

Anti-riot policemen armed with truncheons block a group of political activists protesting the rising crimes, unemployment and other social issues during the state of the city address of Celso Lobregat, the mayor of Zamboanga City on Thursday, January 28, 2010 in Zamboanga City. Children from the Sanit Francis Orphanage also display their placards at the Zamboanga City Council appealing to Lobregat not to take over the operation of the orphan center founded and run by a Catholic priest Fr. Arthur Winikoff. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / January 28, 2010) - Anti-riot policemen armed with truncheons block a group of political activists protesting the rising crimes, unemployment and other social issues during the state of the city address of Celso Lobregat, the mayor of Zamboanga City on Thursday.

The protesters, mostly from Akbayan party list group, carried placards and shouted slogans as they tried to march to the Zamboanga City Council where Lobregat delivered his state of the city address. Police said the protesters had no permits to hold a rally, but leaders of the group said they were expressing their freedom of speech.

"We are only expressing our disgust to the rising crimes - the spate of killings - and the unemployment and many more problems the city is facing under Lobregat," Edgar Araojo, one of the leaders of the protesters, who is also a university professor, told reporters.

The protesters later dispersed peacefully.

Dozens of orphans, mostly children, from the Saint Francis Orphanage, also trooped to the Zamboanga City Council, but they failed to speak to Lobregat about his plans to take over the orphan house founded and run by a Catholic priest Fr. Arthur Winikoff. Some of the children also carried placards appealing to Lobregat not to take the orphan house, founded in 1988, away from them.

"We are appealing to mayor Celso Lobregat to spare the orphanage and not to take it away from us. This is our home," one child said.

The priest said he signed a contract with the previous mayor, Vitaliano Agan, and even was commended and praised by Maria Clara Lobregat, a former mayor of Zamboanga and mother of Lobregat, for Winikoff's sacrifices in running the orphanage, which sits on a three-hectare government lot. (Mindanao Examiner)

Construction Firm To Sue Zambo Mayor, City Officials Over Controversial Bus Depot Project

Ruth Allen Ruste, Board Secretary of the RCDG Construction, reads the Notice of Recall and Cancel Award signed by Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat as Dr Anna Lisa Chan, the Chairwoman of the Board of RCDG, looks on during a press conference Wednesday, August 12, 2009 in Zamboanga City in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 13, 2009) - An established Filipino construction firm has threatened to sue the mayor of Zamboanga City, Celso Lobregat, after the politician told them that he would cancel the awarding of a controversial multi-million bus depot project in Zamboanga City in Mindanao.

RCDG Construction accused Lobregat of grave abuse of discretion.

"RCDG believes that the action of the City Government is without any legal basis, and is tantamount to a grave abuse of discretion. Hence, RCDG will take legal action and avail of all the remedies it has under the law. Moreover, it will not hesitate to hold the concerned officials liable for their illegal, irregular and arbitrary actions," said a statement read by Ruth Allen Ruste, the Secretary of the Board of the RCDG Construction, during a news conference on Wednesday in Zamboanga City.

Lobgregat notified the RCDG that the City Government would cancel the bus depot project won by the consortium RCDG and R.U. Aquino Construction after accusing the firms of failing to disclose to the Bids and Awards Committee that they have three pending projects with abandonment and negative slippage issues.

The disclosure of any pending projects was necessary to determine whether the construction firms are qualified to build the bus depot or not.

Ruste denied Lobregat's allegations and said they will sue the mayor and members of the Bids and Awards Committee for grave abuse of authority, among others.Another construction firm, Dimson, which failed to win the bus depot contract, has earlier filed a case with the Ombudsman against Lobregat and several other city government officials in connection with the bidding for the multi-million Integrated Bus Terminal project.

Lobregat, a former member of the House of Representatives, has denied any irregularities in the bidding process. (Mindanao Examiner)

Bay Walk, Park To Rise In Zamboanga's Historic Beach Front

Sunset in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Uly Israel / 06 Nov) - Here’s good news for sunset lovers! Another bay walk and park will soon rise in Zamboanga City that will give them the opportunity to view the captivating sight of setting sun.

Not only that, a museum will also be built in honor of the late Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat. Her son, Celso Lobregat, now mayor of Zamboanga City, said all these will be constructed to provide the city’s denizens of another place to go, watch the sunset, stroll around and catch the cooling effect of sea breeze.

Lobregat said the park and bay walk will become a new site for food stalls, coffee shops and stores that will cater to strollers, joggers, and visitors.

“It is patterned after the Roxas Boulevard in Manila where people can go to stroll, relax, jog or watch the sunset. The people will have a place to go,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

The construction of the bay walk will cost about P15.6 million, while the Maria Clara Lobregat Museum is estimated to be worth P11.9 million; and the park costs around P16.5 million, he said.

The museum will house artifacts and personal effects of the late Maria Clara Lobregat. It will also serve as gallery for art exhibits, among others. The bay walk, Lobregat said, can attract operators and owners of international and local fast food chains and even fine dining restaurants.

“It will generate jobs, provide space for businesses and a place to meet people from all walks of life,” he said, adding, the project is expected to be finished by next year.

The area is where the historical Fort Pillar, built in 1635 by a Jesuit priest engineer and Spanish authorities to ward off attacks from Moros and foreign invaders, is located. The fort was eventually converted to a shrine and miraculous powers are attributed to the statue of Our Lady of the Pillar.(Mindanao Examiner)