Word war over Pia

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

CITY hall’s promotions chief and Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District found themselves in a word war over the weekend after the congressman accused the local government of “postponing” Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach’s “homecoming” here.

“I am so disappointed that the trip of Pia Wurtzbach to Cagayan de Oro was postponed by the city government after I worked hard in her first return to the Philippines  from Jan. 23 to 28,” reads a text message sent by Rodriguez to the local media.

It was Rodriguez who first announced that Stella Marquez Araneta, the chair of the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, supposedly informed him that Wurtzbach would extend her visit to the country by one day in order to visit Cagayan de Oro where she lived during her younger years.

Rodriguez said city hall sabotaged his efforts to bring Wurtzbach back to the city on Jan. 29 so Cagayanons could celebrate her victory, and honor her for that.

Rodriguez said his request for Wurtzbach to visit the city was already approved by organizers until a member of the local tourism council, Gean Cesar, wrote to Araneta supposedly to ask her to move the Miss Universe’s Cagayan de Oro visit to April.

Rodriguez said he learned this from Araneta’s husband Jorge.

City hall investments and promotions head Eileen San Juan cried foul over Rodriguez’s pronouncements, calling the congressman’s story a downright lie.

San Juan said city hall was prepared to welcome Wurtbach any time, and even organize a grand parade for her but the city was just not in the itinerary.

“Si Congressman Rodriguez ra man ang nagbo-ot-bo-ot sa pag-announce anang Jan. 29 visit ni Wurtzbach sa Cagayan de Oro. Wala man kana sa schedule sa  franchisee sa Binibing Pilipinas,” San Juan said.

She said Cesar sent Araneta a letter to validate reports about Wurtzbach’s Jan. 29 visit to the city.

She said Cesar received a reply from Araneta, and she was informed that Cagayan de Oro was not in Wurtzbach’s schedule contrary to Rodriguez’s claims.

San Juan said it was Araneta who suggested April as the month when Wurtzbach could visit Cagayan de Oro.

“Sila ra man si Araneta ang nag-suggest nga sa April nalang mo-anhi si Wurztbach kay dili na hectic ang iyang mga schedule anang  bulana,” said San Juan.

Responding to the controversy, Ms. Cesar posted this message on her Facebook wall on Saturday afternoon: “There was never a request of postponement. We were in fact getting ready for Jan. 29. Stop the blame game.”