The recent controversy in the Metro Manila Film Festival is an eye-opener to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Instead of dismissing the gripes of some movie producers, directors and actors, MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando should listen to their complaints.

Failure to take heed of the complaints of some producers, directors and actors would cause the death of the movie industry in the Philippines.

Some have suggested that the Best Picture should be based on artistic criteria, instead of the picture's strength in the gross receipts. This suggestion should be considered. Those films which are strong in the gross receipts. This suggestion should be considered. Those films which are strong in the gross receipts should be awarded as Box-Office Top Grosser, instead of being awarded as Best Picture.

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Finally, a "big fish" is facing graft charges before the court.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft, extortion, and falsification of public documents charges against former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez in connection with the $2-million bribery complaint lodged against him by former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez.

Together with Perez as respondents are his wife, Rosario, brother-in-law Ramon Arceo and business associate Ernest Escaler.

Arceo is a former director of United Coconut Planter's Bank and executive vice president of PCI Bank, while Escaler is a former consultant of Coutts Bank for the Philippines.

The case has been filed with the Sandiganbayan.

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The Offices of the Ombudsman and his or her deputies are created pursuant to the Philippine Constitution as "protectors of the people." They serve as prosecutors of public officials and employees charged in connection with their official functions.

On the other hand, the Sandiganbayan is an anti-graft court established under the Philippine Constitution.

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Complainant Mark Jimenez said that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo whom Perez served as justice secretary, has no involvement in the $2-million extortion case.

Jimenez said that he was convinced that the President did not benefit from the money, which, he said was exacted from him by the accused.

Jimenez got involved in the case when he served as consultant of President Joseph Estrada on Latin American affairs.

The $2-million bribe was alleged to be part of the $14-million bribe from the Argentine-based fir, Industrias Metalurgicas Pescarmona Sociedad Anonima (IMPSA) in exchange for the sovereign guarantee which was quickly granted just four days after the Edsa II in January 2001.

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We hope that with the prosecution of former Justice Perez, an honest-to-goodness campaign against graft and corruption should be launched by the government. All officials facing charges like former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocjoc Bolante and the Armed Forces officials causing the loss of the retirement plan should be made to answer for their questionable acts.

It is only through the prosecution of grafters and corruptors that the people would regain their confidence on the government.

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The feared environmental fall-out as a result of the construction of the drainage system continues to hog the headlines.

The project manager of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, Co. Ltd. expressed concern over the cleanliness of the run-off water which will be flushed out to the seawaters off Tagbilaran Bay once the project is completed.

Project Manager Chong Do Lee said that while they are contracted to finish the drainage project about two months from now, he is also aware of the illegal tapping of the sewerage disposal from various business firms and houses into the ongoing drainage project.

He appealed to the city and provincial governments to be strict in disconnecting the tapping in order keep the drainage from contaminants, citing that the project was designed to be the main outlet of the city's run-off water, mostly rain water.

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Considering that there is yet no water treatment plant for the wastewater, some environmentalists expect that wastewater would pollute the sea area of the Tagbilaran Bay. The pollution would greatly affect the Tagbilaran Tourism Port and some tourist establishments at the Tagbilaran Bay. Pollution might even extend to Panglao Island since the outlet of the drainage system faces the island tourist destination.

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One of the reasons why this writer opposed the Tagbilaran Bay Reclamation Project is that the reclamation project would pollute the tourism areas including the beaches of Panglao Island.

With the outlet of the drainage system located at Cogon District, this city, facing Panglao Island, the beaches of the island would likely be polluted.

That is why the treatment plant should be needed to protect the environment.

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For comments and reactions, send mail to Atty. Jorge D. Cabalit, Cabalit Law Office, 74 Belderol Street, Tagbilaran City or send e-mail to: viewpoints@boholchronicle.com