Davide meets Toledo councilors over city problems

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III urged the majority members of the Toledo City Council to reconcile the issues hounding the city for the sake of its constituents.

“For the good of people of Toledo, you make the effort na magka-reconcile mo,” Davide told the councilors.

Councilors Ricardo Pepito, Antonio Borja Jr., Rogelio Caburnay, Louis Nicholas Espinosa, Helen Jill Espinosa and Edgardo Aguilar gave the governor a visit to express their sentiments in light with its conflict with the city administration.

“Dia mi sa Kapitolyo kauban ang grupo sa majority group, aron amo mapahayag ni governor ang amoang sentimyento, unsay panghitabo sa atong dakbayan ug nga dili ingon na ang majority group sa Toledo makig-kontra ni governor,” explained Pepito.

Davide disclosed that the Council is currently at odds with Mayor John Henry Osmeña, so that he appealed to them to cooperate with the administration.

On the issue of the appointment of Dr. James Gaite as replacement of the late councilor Ricardo Rafols Jr., Davide said that what he did was in line with the law.

“It is their right to seek the opinion of DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), pero sa akong appreciation sa balaod ug sa jurisprudence, sakto akong gibuhat,” Davide explained.

As earlier reported, the council has said not to recognize the appointment of Gaite pending opinion from the DILG.

“We found a DILG memorandum and also jurisprudence to that effect nga ang determination sa party membership naa sad at the time of election,” Davide added.

Although Rafols initially ran as independent for the 2013 elections, he became a member of the Liberal party last July, said Davide.

The councilors further denied the claims that they are “taking turns” in attending the Council sessions.

“Dili tinuod ang allegation na nagsabot ang majority group na ulhos-ulhos. Katung hitaboa dunay gipatawag na special session ang atuang mayor for tulo ka adlaw, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Unya gikan mig session ana Lunes, so naa’y uban konsehal na dili available that time,” Pepito explained.  (FREEMAN)