Can the minority win vital committee chairmanships?

CEBU, Philippines - The incoming minority administration can’t tell yet whether it can get hold of vital committee chairmanships in the Talisay City council when the 5th Sangguniang Panlungsod convenes.

In an interview with The Freeman, Vice Mayor-elect and incumbent Councilor Romeo Villarante yesterday said he foresees councilors allied with the Alayon party to control the council by getting the vital committee chairmanships and leaving nothing of significance to the minority. 

Of the 10-members of the city council, only three seats are occupied by LP minority members, namely, incumbent councilors Danilo Caballero and Valeriano Ylanan, and newly-elected Councilor Aldrin Diaz. 

Under the present 4th Sangguniang Panlungsod House Rules, the vice mayor will appoint the chairmanship to the councilors. 

“They might change the House Rules that will benefit them,” Villarante said.

But Villarante, however, warned the opposition majority against playing politics with the new administration. 

In a separate interview, City Councilor Richard Francis Aznar, a member of the Alayon party, said granting of committee chairmanship to members of  the council is expected especially in the opening of the new council.

Aznar said the present 4th Sangguniang Panlungsod House Rules are only applicable to this term.

He said the incoming 5th sanggunian will have to decide whether to adopt the previous 4th Sangguniang Panlungsod House Rules or not. 

“We still enjoy the majority and the House Rules of the city council will be discussed and approved by the next set of council members,” Aznar said. 

Aznar, however, vows to support and cooperate with the executive branch on development projects. (FREEMAN)