No chairmanships given to opposition councilors

CEBU, Philippines - Two minority councilors of the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod had expected not to be given committee chairmanships as the council convened yesterday for the election of officers and the finalization of the committee chairmanships.

Minority Councilors Emmarie "Lollipop" Dizon and Editha Cabahug said they expected to be left out being identified with a different political party.

Elected minority floor leader Dizon said she wouldn’t mind having no committees to head the fact that she is a neophyte and still has to observe the flow of legislation, although she has knowledge in governance having served as executive secretary to her father, former Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano, who is now a provincial board member.

She said that without any chairmanship at all will not diminish her from being a legislature.

"What matters most is when you have the passion to serve the people and you have the knowledge and heart to work and the sincerity to perform your obligations to the Mandauehanons," Dizon said.

Cabahug, for her part, also expected the same but assured her constituents of good public service.

Newly elected Vice Mayor and presiding officer Glenn Bercede said the two councilors were not neglected since they would served as vice chairmen in some committees.

He also said the committee chairmanships are temporary and some chairmen could be replaced anytime.

Councilor Diosdado Suico, an administration councilor, said that although they still do not fully trust the two minority councilors, the council had given them vice chairmanships.

Demetrio Cortes Jr., another administration councilor, said that it only happened that the persons he had nominated to fill up the committee chairmanships can deliver the goods.

Councilors Beethoven Andaya and Nenita Layese possess the most numbers of committee chairmanships.

Andaya heads the committee on appropriation, budget and finance, common Cooperatives, committee on trade and industry, and common economic enterprises.

Layese heads the committee on laws and ordinances, committee on good government, public ethics and accountability, committee on tourism and committee on women and family.

Councilor Demetrio Cortes Jr. heads the committee on education and culture, committee on planning, development and socialized housing and committee on police, fire and penology.

Councilor Benjamin Basiga heads the committee on energy, committee on NGO, and committee on enviro-mental protection.

Councilor Elstone Dabon, heads the committee on trans-portation, communication and public utilities, committee on human rights and committee on labor and employment, livelihood and manpower develop-ment.

Councilor Jimmy Lumapas heads the committee on agriculture, comm on market and abattoir, and committee on public works and infrastructure.

Councilor Diosdado Suico chairs the committee on city properties and assets, committee on foreign relation and committee on rules and privileges.

Councilor Jose Jefferson Ceniza heads the committee on health and hospital services and the committee on social services.

ABC president Jovita "Joy" Ouano heads the committee on barangay affairs while Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede heads the committee on youth and sports development.

Cortes Jr. was elected Speaker Pro-tempore, Diosdado Suico, the majority floor Leader, and Dizon, the minority floor leader. — THE FREEMAN