Manila opposes being ‘unseated’ as Philippine capital

Manila councilors have banded together to prevent the city from being “unseated” as the state capital.

A resolution “expressing strong opposition on any proposals or initiatives that will unseat the city of Manila from being the capital of the Republic of the Philippines” was unanimously approved last week at a city council regular session.

“There are moves seeking the enactment of law that would declare certain cities other than the City of Manila as capital of the Philippines, claiming, among others, that their city is the most populous and richest in the country, and citing several historical events, various government offices and educational institutions stationed in their locality as basis for their claim,” read the resolution, a copy of which was furnished to the Inquirer on Tuesday.

The resolution was referring to a move late last year by Quezon City Representative Francisco Calalay urging the Lower House to pass a law transferring the capital to Quezon City.

The Manila city councilors called Calalay’s proposal “baseless and uncalled for,” and sought for Congress to refuse from even entertaining it.—Jaymee T. Gamil