Gullas administers oath to new San Fernando councilors

CEBU, Philippines - Three newly elected councilors of San Fernando town took their oath of office yesterday morning before first district Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas in his office at the University of the Visayas.

The short ceremony was also witnessed by outgoing San Fernando Mayor Lakambini "Neneth" Reluya and her running mate Erico Enad.

Both, who were supported by Gullas' Alayon Party, were however unsuccessful in their respective bids.

Of the eight administration bets, four made it to the top eight, namely, Ranulfo Sasuman, Benedicto Panuncial, Emmanuel Tatoy, and Gerundio Taping, who did not make it in yesterday's oathtaking.

It's five versus five in the next council, while the opposition has Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Ricci Reluya with them, the administration has Association of Barangay Councils president Remigio Alicaway on its side.

The administration will have an edge though, as the presiding officer, which is considered as the tie breaker in case the house has to be divided, will be succeeded by the outgoing vice mayor's son, Mico Canoy.

Sasuman was supposed to be part of the outgoing council, the only administration councilor to join the body, but his entrance was rejected by Canoy and the rest of the opposition bloc.

The council has refused to acknowledge the appointment of Sasuman to replace Samuel Enad Jr., the lone administration councilor who made it to the council.

Enad, an Alayon Party councilor, however resigned from his post last year in favor of a good life in the USA.

Sasuman was nominated by Alayon party chairman Gullas to the post May 22 last year.

He also got the appointment by Governor Gwen Garcia in July 13, 2009.

But when he appeared to the council session shortly after that, he was refused by the opposition bloc from taking the vacated seat, invoking the Local Government Code of 1991 provisions.

Sasuman then filed a case before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, who early this year had ordered Vice Mayor Antonio Canoy and the rest of the council members to answer why they would not recognize the complainant's appointment.

But as of yesterday, Sasuman, who was elected first councilor last May 10, said the case is still pending before the office, and there is only a week more before the current term expires.   (FREEMAN NEWS)