Council nixes attempt for ‘blanket resolution’

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has deferred a resolution, which other council members viewed as an attempt to pass a blanket resolution that would allow the disbursement of public funds during the election period, citing a lack of transparency and specificity in the proposal.

The resolution, filed by Councilor Rey Gealon, sought authorization for Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia to request exemptions from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) guidelines, which prohibit the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds within the election period.

However, the council deferred the measure after discovering that it did not specify which projects required exemptions, leaving key details—including the purpose, implementation timelines, and exact amounts—blank.

Councilor Franklyn Ong pointed out the lack of specificity in the proposed resolution, emphasizing the need for a clear and detailed request.

According to Ong, it is necessary to specify the projects requiring exemption, as well as the period of implementation, the purpose, and the specific amount that will be released.

“So, in other words, the exemption application needs to be very specific,” Ong stressed.

He said that approving a resolution that lacks the specific details of the projects sought to be exempted from the Comelec ban would tantamount to a one-time blanket resolution for all exemptions that need to be applied.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera also flagged the absence of details in the proposed resolution.

“I agree with Councilor Ong's statement that we have to specify the projects, as required by the COMELEC, in order to avoid granting blanket authority,” Pesquera said.

She added that such specifications are important, considering that in previous administrations, there were questions about contracts backed by council resolutions and signed Executive Orders, which were later found to exceed the authorized limits.

Gealon defended the resolution, explaining that it was forwarded by the Office of the Mayor and was intended to ensure the continuity of social services. However, he conceded to the council’s concerns and moved for the resolution’s deferment.

The proposed resolution cited COMELEC Resolution No. 11060, issued on September 13, 2024, which outlines strict prohibitions on the release of public funds for social services and housing-related projects within 45 days before elections.

It also restricts the use of treasury warrants and other financial instruments under Sections 261 (V) and (W) of the Omnibus Election Code.

Despite these prohibitions, the resolution argued that exemptions were "extremely necessary and crucial for the continuous operation of the city's social services."

It sought to grant the mayor the authority to request COMELEC exemptions ahead of the May 12, 2025, National and Local Elections. –/FPL (FREEMAN)