As Sitoy defends his proposals: Holganza's slur on Lacto-Pafi irks Sanchez

CEBU, Philippines – The privilege speech of Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy in yesterday's session of the Provincial Board ended with Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. admonishing Board Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza, Jr.

Sitoy was explaining his "unusual" legislative proposals - separate restrooms for the third sex, nutrition labels for chicharon and restoration of the swimsuit portion in beauty pageants, among others - when Holganza asked if Sitoy could include Lacto-Pafi health drinks in his proposed ordinance on sexual stimulant prerequisites.

This question irked Sanchez who owns the Lacto-Pafi drinks.

"Porbida nimo, kon gusto unta ka ayaw didto, kun mohangyo mo, akong i-discuss and I have proof (on amino acid of lacto-pafi as sex stimulant)," Sanchez told Holganza at the vice-governor's office.

Sanchez suspected that Holganza has a 'hidden agenda' to get the support of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia so that he will get the governor's support in the upcoming barangay polls. Holganza sits as ex-officio member of the Board as president of the Federation of Association of Barangay Councils in Cebu province.

"If you have the desire of that don't ride on my product," Sanchez told Holganza.

"I was misunderstood. Na-shock siguro siya...may presumption nga derogatory…that what not my intention," Holganza said, adding, that he already apologized to the vice governor.

Holganza said he actually spoke with Sitoy even before the latter passed his proposed ordinance on sex stimulants prerequisites and suggested in jest to include Lacto-Pafi therein. The conversation reportedly occurred during a meeting with the board members league in Dumaguete City.

Meanwhile, Sitoy expressed dismay over the "silly" tag Garcia has given his proposals.

The governor had accused Sitoy of fiddling with the legislative process of silly things and of personal matter, prompting him to deliver the privilege speech yesterday.

Sitoy explained that sometime last month, he and his staff plotted activities for the remainder of the year, part of which are possible ordinances, resolutions and projects, which he can propose to the Board every week, which will put "flesh and blood" to the legislative measures.

"Was it silly to be proactive in the management of our legislative agenda? Is it silly to work on timeliness? On targets?" Sitoy asked in his speech.

He said that what perhaps caught the governor's fancy of the governor were the measures filed such as providing comfort facilities for homosexuals, the chicharon nutritional content requirement and the sexual stimulant prerequisites.

"I don't totally blame the governor as these are ideas culled outside of the box. But the truth of the matter is that, all these are still proposed measures, which are subject to the rigors of deliberation," Sitoy said.

"Is it not sillier to preempt or even usurp the powers of the Sangguniang Bayan?" he asked further, even describing the Balili controversy and the defects in the construction of Cebu International Convention Center as "silliest" moves of the governor.

Sitoy tried to convince his fellow board members to be one and act as a true independent legislative body.

Still, Sitoy said he is not taking things personally and is simply reminding the governor to give courtesy to the legislative body.

He said that if Garcia's recent criticisms stemmed from her ongoing rift with Sanchez, the same is reportedly comparable to "symptoms of inner cancer."

Sitoy assured that he will "refine" his proposed measures and that his colleagues at the board will get the chance to comment on his proposals at a proper time. His proposals have passed the first reading and will be subjected to public hearing and deliberation in the plenary. (FREEMAN)