On his last session: Faelnar a no-show at City Council

CEBU, Philippines – Outgoing Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Eugenio Faelnar snubbed what was supposed to be his last session with the City Council yesterday, admitting bitter feelings towards some city councilors.

"Wala nalang ko motambong kay daghang maot," Faelnar told The Freeman. He took a leave of absence from the Council since September amidst controversies involving the implementation of infrastructure projects in the barangays.

Faelnar joined politics in 1992 as councilman of Barangay Guadalupe and was elected barangay captain three years later. He was elected ABC president of Cebu City for two terms starting in 2002. Faelnar sits as ex-officio member of the City Council.

Last November 11, the Council, through a resolution by Councilor Alvin Dizon, commended outgoing Sangguniang Kabataan Cebu City Federation President Rengelle Pelayo for her services as ex-officio member, but missed out on Faelnar.

In yesterday's session, no one acknowledged Faelnar yet again, but Faelnar said he does not mind. He said a commendation is no longer necessary or important.

Pelayo, for her part, thanked those who supported her stint as ex-officio city councilor.

"For everything that has taken place, I would say it was not just me. It was never me who made some things happen. There were people who even would opt not to be recognized and who just helped me in getting things done. Without them, I would never have surpassed the struggles nor have made things happen," Pelayo said in a speech.

Among those she acknowledged include former mayor and current Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña, Councilor Margarita Osmeña, Mayor Michael Rama, North District Rep. Rachel Del Mar. She also expressed appreciation to the other city councilors for lending her support and guidance.

Pelayo said she will miss being in the Council.

"I am surely going to miss doing my assigned task during the session," she said. The 20-year-old SK Federation President is tasked to check all documentary requirements attached in the agenda during the sessions.

"We may no longer have the position to help, but with the experience. We all have realized our country needs the young people. We can always be of help to our country, to our fellowmen, in our own little way. This is not goodbye. It's just that we have to move on to the next level and another chapter of our lives," Pelayo said.

She also took the opportunity to give advice to SK chairpersons who are eyeing the SK Federation presidency.

Pelayo said that if she had her way, she would not want SK chairpersons who are still in high school to run for the federation presidency because the duties and responsibilities attached to the position would disrupt their studies.

So far, there are eight SK chairpersons who are eyeing to be SK Federation president, six of whom are still high school students.

"For some people, in the outside it may seem a jackpot prize to become the president of the SK Federation. I have to make my own share of sacrifices in order to fulfill my job," Pelayo said. (FREEMAN)