But why was ex-mayor Soc given, allies ask No 'blanket authority' for JVR

CEBU, Philippines - Citing the city chief executive could be "courting trouble," the Alayon party-dominated Talisay City Council has blocked the legislative measures granting "blanket authority" to Mayor Johnny de los Reyes to sign and enter into contracts of services.

City Councilors Richard Aznar, Edward Alesna, Socrates Fernandez, Antonio Bacaltos Jr., Eduardo "Digul" Gullas III, Doroteo Emit, ABC president Raul Cabanero, including the mayor's ally Aldin Diaz voted against the approval of the resolution.

Councilors Danilo Caballero, Valeriano Ylanan and Dennis Basillote, all allies of  Delos Reyes and compose the minority bloc of the council, voted for the move.

Ylanan, the proponent of the resolution, presented in yesterday's session that the resolution can allow the mayor for the release of funds for projects that cost around P3 million even without the council's approval.

Ylanan argued that giving the mayor a blanket authority could speed up the administration in implementing projects of the city.

But Fernandez defended the position of the majority saying he sees legal consequences in giving blanket authority to De los Reyes in the implementation of  the city's projects without passing council's approval.

Fernandez said the legislative body is separate from the executive and does not only concur but also approve projects.

This prompted Basillote to point out to his fellow councilors that it is not fair for De los Reyes not to receive blanket authority since the previous administration of then mayor Fernandez was given the same.

"It's not fair and there is nothing wrong if we give the mayor the blanket authority," Basillote said.

In the previous administration, the city council gave Fernandez blanket authority to enter into a P3.5-million agreement with Engr. Ronnie Laburada of Gleymark for the construction of the tricycle parking lot in Lagtang Public Market.

The move reportedly was not subjected to the council's vote, although it was questioned before by then city councilor and now Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante.

Villarante wanted to know whether the government followed the procurement process, like bidding, among others, prior to the signing of  the contract. To him, it appeared that Laburada has been the city's "favorite" contractor.

Fernandez, however, reasoned out that even if he was endowed blanket authority, he did not use the P3-million fund in entering projects without approved resolution from the council.

"I did not ask for blanket authority from the council in the amount of  P3 million and I did not even use it. I did not spend the P3 million without passing through the city council," Fernandez said, adding that his opposition for the approval was in defense of the sitting mayor.

Alesna and Aznar also said that their objection should not be perceived as an obstruction to the mayor's projects saying that there was no contract entered into by De los Reyes, which the majority did not approve.

"It is the primary duty and responsibility of this Council to have check and balance. Our disapproval is not that we are protesting against the mayor," Aznar said.

Diaz, for his part, said that "political party affiliation" has already inflicted in making decision in the council.

"I am allied to the mayor. We should set aside our political affiliation and stand on our political principle," Diaz said. He added that voting against the resolution will give proper scrutiny of the projects implemented by the mayor.

Diaz said that he never sees that the Alayon party is blocking the projects and contract entered by the mayor when it was introduced in the city council.

In a separate interview with the reporters after the session, De los Reyes admitted that he asked his allies in the council to pass a resolution giving him the blanket authority so that projects can be implemented immediately.

De los Reyes said that by not giving him the authority, there are projects in the city that can be hampered in delivering the services to the Talisaynons.

"Ma-hamper gyud kay wala man ko nila hatagi og authority. Personal gyud ko nangayo niana kay kanang akong gipangayo nila dili mana para sa akoa kun dili para sab na sa ilaha aron madali nato og pag-implement ang mga proyekto sama sa pagpa-aspalto," De los Reyes added.  (FREEMAN)