Villarante reminds JVR on separation of powers

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante raised the issue on the separation of the powers of the executive and legislative branches of the government after the mayor had warned against City Hall workers who are not reportedly following executive orders.

Villarante and City Councilor Aldin Diaz, however, said the relationship between Mayor Johnny V. De los Reyes and his allies in the city council is not turning sour yet on the back of claims that some offices in City Hall ignored his memoranda and orders allegedly upon orders of other local officials.

"He can direct his statement to his executive department and not to the Sangguniang Panglungsod," Villarante said as he reminded the mayor on the separation of powers between the local chief executive and the legislative department.    

Recently, De los Reyes warned City Hall workers and public officials to respect his executive orders or face sanctions.

He cited that he sent an invitation to Diaz regarding the holding of a Tourism Council meeting that was rejected by Diaz. The councilor instead called his own council meeting and even sent an invitation to the mayor.

Another instance was the refusal of the legislative department to let its staff undergo a random drug test, reportedly because the staff was not working under the executive department, which initiated the test.

Furthermore, the city's Job Order Monitoring Team reported that its members were denied entry to the vice mayor's office. De los Reyes had created the team purposely to monitor and ensure that all job order workers report for the job during working hours.

But Villarante said that it was not true that workers were denied entry to his office. He also categorically denied reported refusal during the drug testing incident.

"We have nothing to hide here and that is not even true nga gibalibaran namo for drug test," Villarante said.

In a privilege speech yesterday during the council session, Diaz denied that he did not attend a meeting called by the mayor's office.

"It's ironic not to attend the meeting since he was the one who delegated me this executive function," Diaz said, adding that he reserves his "great respect" to the mayor "not only because he's the mayor but also we belong to the same party."

Diaz, however, admitted that he called for a meeting before the members of the tourism council for the purpose of setting up budgetary measures for the upcoming Talisay Landing activity on Mar. 26.

Villarante and Diaz gained the support of City Councilor Socrates Fernandez, who said equal footing between the executive and legislative departments should exist.  (FREEMAN)