#tell_ it_ to_ sun star No to ban on high-rise buildings

This is about the proposed ban on high-rise buildings in Cebu City. Vertical expansion is the trend nowadays, i.e. using the air space because of limited horizontal space. So why ban high-rise buildings? Even in Japan where incidents of earthquakes happen, they have high-rise buildings but these are designed to withstand tremors.

Instead of banning the construction of high-rise buildings, why not have the Cebu City Government require those who construct them to include in the structure’s design state-of-the-art firefighting equipment placed on its strategic levels.

However, enforcing strict safety standards is always the best option that must be checked and inspected regularly. Unfortunately, those are usually taken for granted.-- MMR

Road to dictatorship

I would like to thank Democrito C. Barcenas for his Tell It to SunStar letter that carefully analyzed the “sign of the times” for the common folks. I definitely agree with your analysis and conclusion on the two roads, one that leads to dictatorship and the other one that leads to democracy. You made it clear that the first is being planned by administration supporters. But who do you think would plan the latter?

Barcenas, as an activist-lawyer, fought the Marcos dictatorship together with other lawyers who were true to their pledge during their admission to the bar to defend the constitution.

Should we just look the other way in the midst of a clear plot to cheat the citizenry by changing illegally our constitution in favor of a dictatorship? Should we, lawyers especially, watch the conflagration like when Rome was burning? Is it not the time to act now?-- from a

retired lawyer, 82 years of age