Bantayan councilor explains side over complaint vs. town council

A Bantayan councilor explained the situation at the town council, which an unidentified resident had complained-in an e-mail sent to this paper-of having backlogs in sessions, being out of quorum, and with councilors receiving their salaries even if they are living in Cebu City.

Councilor Marlon Pacaña, when asked about these allegations, refused to identify the person who sent the email but he said he knew the person who has done the same many times in the past.

He would not disclose the motive of the allegations also but said the council has records to show that what has been complained about are not what they actually are.

The complaint alleged there were only 22 sessions held, as of last September, resulting in a backlog of at least 26 sessions because the council is supposed to hold four sessions a month or 48 sessions a year.

Council secretary Reyna Fatima Batiancila, in a phone interview, confirmed the report but said she has yet to collate the records of sessions, as of yesterday.

The complaint also alleged the council has been always out of quorum resulting in delays of approval of resolutions and ordinances needed for Bantayan's development.

Batiancila however countered that the council has already approved a total of 93 resolutions and nine ordinances, as of the latest session last September 29.

"I think the performance of the councilors cannot only be based on the number of sessions they have attended," said Batiancila.

Pacaña explained that the council, instead of a weekly session, has been holding sessions every Thursday and Friday every two weeks to comply with the mandated four sessions every month.

The complaint further alleged that council members regularly collect their monthly salaries and compensation even those who have been residing in Cebu City.

Pacaña was among those mentioned, including Orlando Layese, Elmerando Batiancila and Richard Menchavez, a student who is the town's Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president.

Pacaña denied staying in Cebu City always for personal business. "Kanang personal nga tuyo sa syudad, panagsa ra kaayo na oy," he said.

He added that he could only visit his family in the city whenever Mayor Geralyn Escario-Cañares asks him and other councilors to represent her in official functions she could not attend in the city.

The allegations added that some council members living in Bantayan also do not attend sessions regularly for being too busy with their businesses like poultry farm and stores.

The complainant however cited councilor Arturo Sormillon as the only council member who fulfilled his job "religiously as an elected public official.

A staff of the mayor's office confirmed this saying that Sormillon is always at the municipal hall every morning. Pacaña himself agreed that Sormillon has been the most dedicated councilor who works even on matters outside of his task. -Gregg M. Rubio/RAE