Mayor Wagas, town council clash over curfew ordinance

CEBU, Philippines – Opposition dominated Compostela municipal council is now up against Mayor Ritchie Wagas who vetoed a municipal ordinance approved by the council imposing a curfew for minors.

In his veto message addressed to the council, Wagas said “legislation should undergo a strict and critical study considering that it will affect some basic human and constitutional rights of our people.”

The municipal council approved a resolution imposing curfew on persons below 18 years old and providing intervention programs for violators.

Citing Republic Act 9344 or the Comprehensive Juvenile and Justice Welfare System, the municipal council stressed the “need to promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual and intellectual and social being of the children.”

Ordinance No. 01 or the “Curfew Ordinance for Minors,” which was approved on January 12, prohibits minors from going outside their houses between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The municipal council, in a resolution approved on March 9, 2009, claimed that public hearings were conducted by the committee on women and children and were even attended by different sectors and representatives from the Children’s Legal Bureau.

Peace and order committee chairperson Councilor Joselito Reynes said that since the municipal council has overridden Wagas’ veto, it would now up to the latter whether or not he will implement the local legislation.

Reynes said that even the mayor’s allies, whom he did not identify, rallied behind the council in overriding the veto.

In overriding Wagas’ veto on curfew ordinance, the municipal said it “would go against the wishes” of several barangay officials.

However, the local chief executive said the claim about the rising incidence of criminality involving minors must be supported by actual records and cases to justify the imposition of curfew.

Wagas said that concrete evidence should be provided that police authorities could not perform their functions “under normal conditions” without the imposition of curfew restrictions.

“All other problem solving efforts should be exhausted first before the imposition of curfew will be considered as a resort,” Wagas said.

Since the ordinance failed to secure prior consultation, Wagas said it is “not yet imperative” because Compostela is also “generally peaceful.”

According to Wagas, his office is taking measures to further improve peace and order such as the creation of the controversial Local Executive Assistance Group (LEAG).

In a resolution passed last March 4, vice mayor Joel Quiño, also requested the police to “immediately disband” LEAG claiming the group’s creation was “tantamount to the creation of a private army.”

But Wagas criticized the opposition’s labeling as “private army” the group he created, saying that LEAG was created to reinforce peace and order in the municipality. — Garry B. Lao/WAB (THE FREEMAN)