Random Conversations and Musings

“Strike, But Hear Me First!”

PRID Rafael “Raffy” Garcia III is the Club’s invited guest of honor and speaker in this week’s regular membership meeting. He will talk about the country’s hosting of the 2028 RI Convention, which was suddenly and unexpectedly withdrawn by the RI Board headed by President Stephanie Urchick. Philippine Rotarians were excitedly looking forward to this rare opportunity to organize and host the 2028 gathering. But with this recent development, the 2028 hosting will not be happening after all.

As the first country in Asia to have a Rotary Club in 1919, the holding of an International Rotary Convention in Manila is long overdue. To realize this long desire to showcase the unique Philippine hospitality and ability to organize a massive gathering, so much preparation was made by our hardworking Host Organizing Committee, and after going through a bidding process, the Philippines finally clinched the honor of hosting the annual event. But it was not meant to be.

The Host Organizing Committee (HOC) sought the reconsideration of the RI Board’s decision. But in her letter dated 26 July 2024, RI President Urchick relayed the Board’s denial of such appeal. In her letter, she underscored, among others, the HOC’s supposed “non-compliance with its stated role by working outside its authority and naming chairs for roles that explicitly fall under the general secretary’s responsibility x x x.” She also said that the HOC was guilty of “misrepresenting expected event attendance to government partners whose support was being sought.”

With this, a couple of questions come to mind: a) were these facts actually verified to be true? If so, would this automatically merit the withdrawal of Manila’s hosting of the event? b) Was there a meeting held where the HOC was given opportunity to explain and clarify? Was it fair that no good faith discussion was held to clarify or confirm RI’s supposed negative findings? Was due process observed?

“Strike, but hear me first!” This immortal cry of Themistocles to Eurybiades sums up what constitutes due process. Notably, the choice for the 2028 host went through a selection process, and the Philippines participated in the bidding in good faith. In the end, after successfully presenting its capability to host, Manila was chosen as the winning bidder, which was later announced to the whole Rotary world.

It is submitted that, at that point, the Philippines acquired a vested right to host the convention. This right cannot be whimsically withdrawn. If at all, the bid award can only be taken back or withdrawn upon showing, through due process and with clear and convincing evidence, that the chosen host violated and continues to violate established rules and guidelines. Is it the case here?

It is hoped that PRID Raffy Garcia will help clarify the hounding and burning questions related to RI’s withdrawal of Manila’s hosting of the 2028 international convention.