Council to push through with reorganization

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council will push through with the reorganization of its committee chairmanships despite the request of Mayor Michael Rama not to push through with the plan.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, the council presiding officer, announced that Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña will lead the powerful committee on budget and finance come this July 1 inaugural session.

“Margot will be heading the budget and finance in the city council,” Young declared during the 2nd General Assembly of the Association of Barangay Councils held at the South Road Properties yesterday morning.

But the vice mayor clarified that the group is not planning to strip Councilor Eduardo “Edu” Rama, the nephew of Mayor Michael Rama, of his function as head of the committee on public services.

“There is no move. He (Edu) has to stay there,” Young said, adding that Councilor Rama has been working hard for the committee along with Councilor Nida Cabrera.

The council is controlled by the members of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) headed by their founder, Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

In a separate interview with the reporters, Margot said she “humbly” accepted the committee chairmanship offer to her after the members of the council promised that they will support her.

She, however, admitted that handling the budget and finance is not an easy task.

“I am not ashamed to ask if I don’t know,” said Margot, who worked as a bank manager in Los Angeles before she and husband Tomas moved back to Cebu in 1988.

Margot is on her first term as city councilor and currently, she holds the committee on tourism. She will soon be heading the committee on budget and finance that is currently being chaired by Councilor Joey Daluz, who is already in his last term.

Asked in what committee Daluz will be transferred, Margot said the council members will be meeting again to discuss it.

Councilor Alvin Dizon, in a text message sent to The FREEMAN, said he hopes the mayor will not cheapen the capacity of the council to go beyond politics and work on what is good for the city.

“We can assure the mayor that we will not be obstructionist but responsible fiscalizers. We will perform this role pursuant to the principle of check and balance,” Dizon said. (FREEMAN)