As gavel was banged tension develops in Talisay session

CEBU, Philippines -  A heated exchange of words ensued between Talisay City Councilors Doroteo Emit and Dennis Basillote in yesterday's regular session after the council's presiding officer banged the gavel and called for the adjournment of the session. 

The verbal exchange among the two former allies in the council turned ugly when Basillote, a third-term councilor, labeled and named neophyte councilor Emit - a man "who is out of his mind." 

It was Councilor Valeriano Ylanan who called for the adjournment of the session, prompting Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante to bang the gavel. 

Emit, however, raised his hand saying that he has other matters to open up for discussion.

Villarante explained the gavel has already been banged for adjournment but Councilor Socrates Fernandez insisted that session can be re-opened since adjournment must be approved by the majority of the council. 

In this case, Villarante re-opened the session and accommodated Emit's concern. 

Emit lambasted his colleague - Basillote - as he took up the finished item with regard to the proposal to request Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes to allocate funds for the construction of 28-classroom building in the vicinity of Talisay City College, particularly at the existing Lawn Tennis Area in Barangay Poblacion. 

"Unta kung magbuhat ta ug resolution atong tan-awon nga maayo ba ug unya ato lang sab i-withdraw (Before filing a resolution, a thorough study is needed)," Emit said, criticizing that the move of Basillote has sacrificed the lawn tennis court for the construction of classrooms.

But an angry Basillote told Emit that his resolution has already been withdrawn even before the approval of the items that had to be taken up in the regular session. 

"Mr. Chairman, my resolution was already withdrawn ug dili na angayan unta niyang hisgutan. The way I look at it, the good councilor is already out of his mind," Basillote said. 

Fernandez, an ally of Emit, asked the secretariat to delete Basillote's remark in the minutes of the session. But Basillote maintained that his remark should be put on record. 

Vice Mayor Villarante reminded the council to be guided with the council's house rules.

"I don't want to reach a point to call members of the council, you are out of order. I am telling you, please, if the topic is discussed and the gavel is banged, it means it's over. We cannot end our session in chaos," Villarante said. 

After the session, Basillote maintained that Emit was wrong when he brought up the matter of his withdrawn resolution considering that the item was already  approved.

"Unsa ma'y tawag nimo ana? Wala sa iyang huna-huna, di ba?" Basillote added. (FREEMAN)