More posts for Team Rama councilors

CEBU, Philippines - Members of  Team Rama, the minority bloc in the Cebu City Council, expressed appreciation over the decision of their colleagues to give them more committee chairmanships this year.

Last year, only Councilors Nendell Hanz Abella and Ronald Cuenco were given roles in standing committees. Abella was member of the Committee on Education, Science, and Technology while Cuenco was chairman of the Committee on Tourism, Local and International Relations, Arts and Culture.

Cuenco remains chairman of the committee this year while Abella is member of  two other committees – the Committee on Infrastructure and Committee on Games, Amusement, and Sports.

Last year, Councilors Mary Ann Delos Santos and Dave Tumulak, both of Team Rama, expressed dismay over failing to get committee chairmanship or membership posts. Members of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), the majority bloc, headed 22 of 24 committees.

This year, Delos Santos is member of four committees – Laws, Ordinances, Public Accountability and Good Government; Health, Hospital, Services, and Sanitation; Cooperative and Livelihood; and Social Services.

Tumulak, meanwhile, is chairman of three committees – Public Order and Safety; Tourism, Local and International Relations, Arts, and Culture; and Information and Communication Technology.

Both Delos Santos and Tumulak are grateful that the majority bloc has acknowledged the sincerity of their service.

“That in itself speaks of the majority that there’s already trust and confidence on the minority more so on my person. I’m very appreciative and very happy that this is a working relationship now of this council. So, you can see democracy at work and extending a hand of cooperation and collaboration both to the majority and minority,” Delos Santos said.

“Well, my mind is already conditioned that when my term ends I will not be holding chairmanship, vice-chairmanship or any membership. So, this for me is a bonus already,” she added.

Tumulak said he also did not expect to be given any post. “Wala ko mag-expect, pero rest assured buhaton gyod gihapon nako tanan para ma-fulfill akong duties,” he said.

Majority Floor Leader Councilor Margarita Osmeña admitted that trust was a main issue in arriving at decisions last year.

“To put it very bluntly, we did not even trust each other. Now, you begin to see that we are just doing our jobs, hopefully,” she said.

Aside from Delos Santos and Tumulak, Councilor Philip Zafra, also of  Team Rama, now heads the Committee on Barangay Affairs as president of the Association of the Barangay Councils (ABC).

Osmeña, chairperson of the Committee on Budget and Finance, said choosing the membership and chairmanship of the committees is not a big deal.

“But we’ll live it at that. We still have one more year. At least, it is a one step forward, right?” she said, adding, “It’s an easier and more comfortable (I think our) relationship among ourselves now…we can argue here and discuss here but after that wala na.”

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella who is with Team Rama, said he is happy with the decision of the majority bloc to set aside political differences and give chances to members of the minority.

“It would have been better (if the minority was appointed in chairmanship), but it’s the call of the majority. But still, it’s a good sign that the minority can voice out their concerns. We have a voice now in the Council,” Labella said.

Sought for comment, Mayor Michael Rama said his team members still would have delivered even without heading committees.

“Just put your words into actions. So even without the chairmanship, basta motrabaho lang ka”, Rama said.

 “They don’t have to have the chairmanship. Look at them without chairmanship, Dave  (Tumulak) has been very active,” he said.

Tumulak heads the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC).

Delos Santos, for her part, has managed the “Piso Mo, Hospital Ko” program for the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center. –  (FREEMAN)