Tensions rise on CCMC update during session

CEBU, Philippines — The distinction of functions between the executive and legislative branches of the Cebu City government was the cause of a heated discussion during an executive session yesterday to tackle the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) updates.

Following the council’s threat to exercise their contempt powers of those who will not show up when summoned by the legislative body, resource speakers on the ongoing discussion of the delays and issues surrounding the CCMC construction showed up in full attendance.

But the head of the city engineers refused to answer the body’s queries relative to the CCMC, emphasizing that there is no clearance yet from the city mayor.

The executive session yesterday picked up where it left off from the previous discussion on the issues hounding the construction of the CCMC, particularly the delays of completion and its budgetary allocations. It has been the seventh executive session on the matter.

Engr. Lowell Corminal, head of the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) explained that prior to his absence from the council’s previous executive session, he was physically present but was not called to speak.

Corminal explained that he is asking for guidance and instructions from the city mayor on the council’s inquiry relative to the complete plans of the CMMC’s completion, as well as updates on the contracts, and Programs of Works and Estimates (POWE), among others.

According to Corminal, the plans from Phases 1 up to 3 of CCMC have already been submitted before the council.

As for Phases 4 and 5, they have to seek the approval of the mayor before laying it out to the council, adding that it was not stipulated that the legislative body is part of the approval for its POWE.

The Phase 5, he added, includes the proposed completion of 1/3rd of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th floors of CCMC.

In the same discussion, Corminal said they are re-endorsing the same report to the council.

“Personally, I would like to submit but it is not required hence we are asking the direction of the mayor,” said Corminal.

Councilor Mary Ann De los Santos, however, argued that the executive session was done since the council needs accountability and transparency from the DEPW, thus called Corminal “arrogant” for his refusal to comply with the council’s inquiries.

“I am merely seeking the instruction of my immediate head, Mr. Chair,” Corminal further argued.

He said that he had already asked for the city mayor’s approval should they be compelled to answer the council’s questions.

De los Santos said that as the local government unit is divided into the branches of Executive and Legislative, Corminal, whose function is under the umbrella of the Local Chief Executive or the mayor, will not be giving out the answers to the council regardless of their “voluminous” requests.

However, she pointed out that the Local Chief Executive or the city mayor is representing the whole Local Government Unit (LGU) and the constituents of the city.

“Remember, it is not only I, it’s not only the minority who wants transparency and accountability, you owe it to the city of Cebu, to the constituency, and the taxpayers of the city of Cebu, so I beg to disagree when you are telling me og kung way itubag among mayor, og way tubag akong immediate head, I will just snob you,” said de los Santos.

Corminal, when asked what is holding him back despite already having a hold of the plans for Phase 5, argued that it is not personal property, but rather the city’s which is why they need instructions from the city mayor.

De los Santos fired back that they also are not asking in a personal capacity, but rather exercising their function as the city’s legislators.

“This is a public document, why are you holding that document?” de los Santos asked.

“I am not holding it personally, precisely I am seeking the approval of the mayor. What can I do is to seek for it (mayor’s approval) again after this session so I can immediately furnish the body,” Corminal answered.

He further said that it is only right that he seeks the guidance of the city mayor first since it is not included in their process to submit the POWE before the council.

De los Santos then expressed that DEPW does not have the “expertise” to build a hospital and thus questioned their capability to make the POWE and other plans relative to the construction.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Mancao from the office of the CCMC president of the Cebu Medical Society (CMS) also spoke regarding the donation drive for the 8th, 9th, and 10th floor of the edifice.

Mancao told the council that the donated funds are currently at P205 million and in a bank under the name CMS. He added that it is a separate account just for the purpose of the donation drive. Mancao, however, refused to divulge who the donors were as there is a non-disclosure clause.

Previously, the city council approved a resolution that backs the creation of a tripartite agreement between the CMS, the donors, and the Cebu City Government to better document the donation drive being undertaken.

Currently, this tripartite agreement is with the Cebu City Legal Office for review. Mancao then clarified that as of the discussion, no funds from the donations were disbursed yet.

The CLO represented by Lawyer Vincent Carlo Gemina also apprised the council that they are still reviewing the tripartite agreement after it was received by the office three weeks ago.

CCMC status

Councilor Nestor Archival Sr., Minority Floor Leader, also sought the blueprint plans and the POWE signed by the engineers alongside the plans that were already implemented. He said the plans submitted were not complete citing that the DEPW submitted was just for “compliance.”

He also questioned why the plans for Phases 1 and 3 were submitted but not the Phases 4 and 5 to which Corminal answered were already completed and can already be presented to the council. On the other hand, Phases 4 and 5 have yet to be bid out, hence cannot be shown yet. Currently, the bidding for this phase has yet to be executed.

As for the status of the CCMC construction, Corminal said that Phase 1 has already been completed while Phase 2 has already ended the contract with the contractor, CE Padilla, but is only 91 percent complete. Phase 3 also ended its contract with the contractor, C. B. Garay Philwide Builders. Phase 4 was previously awarded to ME Sicat but was terminated and signed by the Former Mayor Michael Rama according to Corminal.

But Corminal said that he is not privy to the reasons why the contract was terminated.

The council then agreed to pause the executive session and continue the discussion in two weeks to present the detailed plans that the council is asking for. — (FREEMAN)