CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos complained during the council’s inaugural session yesterday that she and a fellow neophyte legislator were not given positions in any of the 24 committees.
Delos Santos, a former barangay captain of Lahug, claimed that she and Councilor Dave Tumulak, also a former barangay captain of Basak-Pardo, are capable of handling committee chairmanship.
She said they were not given positions even just committee membership.
Of the four Team Rama councilors, only two get committee positions. Councilor James Cuenco was elected chairman of the Committee on Tourism while Councilor Nendell Hanz Abella served as member of the Committee on Education.
The 23 other committees are headed by councilors allied with the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK).
Delos Santos said while it was stated that the election is conducted during the inaugural session, she was surprised because what happened was just the reading of the names.
Councilor Gerardo Carillo explained that it is already a policy of the council that the election is held only during the caucus of the councilors.
“Gituyo na nga sa caucus ra i-discuss ang assignment sa mga konsehal sa lain-laing committees kay kon sa regular session ang eleksyon himuon makadugay ni kaayo sa proceedings,†said Carillo.
Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella explained that Delos Santos can still raise the matter during regular session and assured that the voice of the minority will be heard.
Mayor Michael Rama said his allied councilors cannot argue with the decisions of the majority.
Rama, meanwhile, said he is planning to give executive functions to some councilors, allowing them to supervise certain City Hall departments to improve public services.
But Rama did not say whether he will give executive functions to councilors allied with BOPK. (FREEMAN)