CEBU, Philippines - For the third time, the Bando-Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan-dominated Cebu City Council rejected another move to deliberate the P2.8 billion Supplemental Budget-1 this year.
Instead, BOPK councilors decided to deliberate next week SB-1’s source of fund, which is the P3.9 billion earning from the sale of lots at the South Road Properties (SRP).
Councilor Sisinio Andales said the deliberation will focus on the source of fund and will not tackle the items under SB-1.
He said the council might approve or disapprove the source of fund.
Andales’ move came after Councilor Gerardo Carillo delivered a privilege speech during yesterday’s regular session asking the majority bloc to start discussions on SB-1, considering that the court already denied the petition for a temporary restraining order filed by lawyer Romulo Torres to stop the city from using the money from the SRP sale.
The city earned P8.3 billion from the buyers of the 45.2-hectare lot at SRP.
Carillo said that when they stopped deliberations on SB-1 the first time, the majority block banked on the complaint filed by Torres but they should now respect the order of the court.
“The resounding decision of the court simply states that the complaint filed against the honorable members of the City Council has no basis for relief. So, why are we suspending the deliberation?” Carillo said.
He said it is the residents that are affected by the delay in the passage of SB-1 since it has, in effect, stopped the P87 million for the garbage tipping fee and the P77 million productivity enhancement incentive for City Hall employees.
Doesn’t follow
Andales argued, however, that the denial of the TRO does not mean that the merits of the case have been resolved.
“It doesn’t mean that we have to give in. It’s too premature. If the court would rule in favor of Torres, members of the City Council would be liable. A lot of pressure on our part already. We have to wait until such time the court will resolve. We have to protect the people’s money,” he said.
Councilor Eugenio Gabuya also challenged the minority bloc to assure it will refund the money the city will allocate for SB-1 if the court eventually rules in Torres’ favor.
In a 9-6 vote following a recess, BOPK once again voted against lifting the suspension of deliberations for SB-1.
The BOPK councilors include Osmeña, Andales, Gabuya, Alvin Arcilla, Roberto Cabarrubias, Nida Cabrera, Lea Japson, Alvin Dizon, and Mary Ann de los Santos.
The Team Rama councilors are Carillo, Nendell Hanz Abella, Richard Osmeña, James Anthony Cuenco, Noel Eleuterio Wenceslao, and Phillip Zafra.
Councilor David Tumulak was out during the voting.
Questionable?
Even before Carillo’s privilege speech, Arcilla delivered his own speech, which questioned some items in SB-1.
These include the terminal leave benefits to General Services Office chief Dionisio Gualiza, Atty. Jose Daluz III and Eduardo Rama, as well as the payment for pizza from Knockbox Pizzeria owned by Carillo’s girlfriend.
Arcilla questioned why the executive department is “very selective” in granting the terminal leave benefits of City Hall employees. He said several employees have asked for his help on the matter.
As regards the pizza the city bought for a program, Arcilla questioned if the same did not constitute conflict of interest since the pizza store is owned by Carillo’s girlfriend.
Carillo, however, shot back, questioning why Arcilla’s speech was allowed considering that the majority block has suspended deliberations for SB-1. If they want to raise questions, he said, they should lift the suspension on the deliberations first.
Tension
Yesterday’s exchanges also ushered in tense moments.
Councilor Margarita Osmeña, for one, raised an eyebrow on Carillo’s calling the councilors “honorable for once.”
“Honorable for once? It means that we have not been honorable all this time,” Osmeña said.
When Gabuya posed the reimbursement challenge on the minority block, Tumulak approached him and told him to be careful with his words. “Hinaya ng storya nimo. Kon mangisog ka, adto ta’s gawas,” Tumulak challenged him.
Gabuya said he just said what was in his mind. “Storya lang pod diha kun unsa ang naa sa imong huna-huna,” Gabuya retorted.
Security personnel had to interfere to stop the tension from building further. The two councilors shook hands after the recess. — /JMO (FREEMAN)