Talisay dads also skipped sessions

CEBU, Philippines - There are members of the 3rd Sangguniang Panlungsod in Talisay City who had missed several of the regular weekly sessions.

Based on the report prepared by Ghea Christy dela Ostia, SP’s records officer I, Talisay City Councilors Ben Abatayo and Serrie Restauro ranked first in the most number of absences. Both missed the sessions between July 2007 and February 23 this year.

Of his 16 absences, Restauro was on “special leave” for seven Tuesdays, while Abatayo also incurred seven “vacation leave” credits during the days that the council was in session.

The rest of the missed sessions, as per record of the SP which was attested by its secretary, Emigdio Enjambre, the two third-term councilors were either on official business or sick.

In an earlier interview, Human Resource Management Officer Emely Cabrera said all city hall employees including the councilors are entitled to special leaves which can be used during special celebrations such as anniversaries, or personal affairs such as enrollment of their children, relocation, or mourning, among others.

However, Cabrera said that not like the regular employees, where they can consume such leave credits when the need arises, City Councilors are not supposed to use their three special leaves consecutively as they only report every Tuesday of the week. It is only on this day that their attendance is checked as during the other days he/she is presumed to have been doing his/her duty as a public servant outside the city hall.

The SP holds its session every Tuesday morning.

Cabrera however had explained that there is no sanction given to repeated leave of absences as it is a “privilege” that any councilor can enjoy.

Meanwhile, Councilor Bernard Odilao is second in the list of the most number of absences with 14 missed sessions. 

Third-term Councilors Shirley Belleza and Arturo Bas were third and fourth, 12 and 11 absences respectively.

For his part, Association of Barangay Councils President Osmundo Manreal Jr. missed 10 sessions, while Vice Mayor Alan Bucao was absent six times.

First-term Councilor Edward Alesna was only absent for two sessions, the first one was in February 12, 2008 when he was really “absent,” and the other was last February 23, when he went on a sick leave. Councilors Rodi Cabigas was absent five times;  Dennis Basillot (4); Aaron Capala (4); and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president April Marie Cabigas missed seven sessions. – Liv G. Campo (THE FREEMAN)