Party "outcast" asks Talisay SP for fairness

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Councilor Val Ylanan during the council's regular session Tuesday made public his feelings toward his party-mates who have shunned him.

In a privilege speech, Ylanan called himself a "victim" of a political bloodshed designed by his own party which started on the day when he won in the elections.

"I am a victim and martyr as well, without getting my side. No due process at all, outrightly condemned," Ylanan said.

Ylanan, who was first councilman of barangay Linao, ran as councilor in the last May 10 polls under the administration party, Alayon.

His being with the administration party is only in name, as his own party later on junked him from the team, giving him no committee chairmanship at all, unlike the rest of his party-mates who got two each, and the privilege to endorse 20 workers to the city hall under his name, which each administration official is entitled to.

On top of all that, the furniture and fixtures in his office including the telephone, were removed, before occupying it.

"It is apropos in flatly speaking that my inherent rights and privileges being a legitimate and bona fide member of Alayon Party is deprived, baselessly," he said.

Ylanan had called on Vice Mayor and presiding officer Alan Bucao, being the "father" of the team, to intervene on this issue.

"Being a father you should see to it that all your children are given the same rights, privileges and their shares are equally given without discrimination," he said.

But Bucao, in an interview with the media shortly after the session was adjourned, said that he can do nothing about it, as it was the party's decision.

"Part siya (sa partido), but naa man tay gitawag nga party rules and regulations, but I'm not in the position to divulge it. And, we are obliged to follow the rules," the vice mayor said.

Bucao said Ylanan could have done something to deserve the party's treatment. As to what he had done, he refused to elaborate.

He said Ylanan is still "privileged enough" that he was accorded vice chairmanship on two committees- environmental protection; and parks and playground - and a membership to the Good Government.

Bucao recalled his days in the opposition wherein he was not even given a membership in any committee.

He said the distribution of committee chairmanship is based on the House Rules which they are bound to follow. He also said that it was the administration councilors themselves who decide among themselves who gets what committee.

Bucao said what Ylanan said in his speech was all "allegation," yet he and the rest of the administration councilors did not react on it while the session was going on, saying the outcast member did "not say it from his heart," and may change his mind later on.

"Some of the councilors wanted to react, but I told them to sleep it over. Kay sa kadugay na nako sa council kahibawo nako kung ang usa ka speech gihimo gikan sa kasing-kasing. Obviously, kang Ylanan, dili gikan diri," said Bucao, pointing to his heart.

Bucao also said it is Ylanan who has distanced himself from the team from the very start.

For his part, Ylanan maintained that he is still part of the party, and just did it to express his sentiments. He however hoped that his party-mates and Bucao would reconsider their earlier decision.

"What will happen (after) will depend sa party," said Bucao.

Bucao's statement however runs counter to his earlier pronouncement before the committee chairmanships were divided among the councilors that he would not let anyone from the council experience what he had gone through when he was still in the opposition. (FREEMAN)