Council junks Rama’s veto

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council yesterday rejected Mayor Michael Rama’s veto on the ordinance allowing barangay workers in the city to receive their honoraria monthly.

In a 13-3 voting, the city government is set to implement Ordinance Number 2362 adapting the monthly release of honoraria for daycare teachers, barangay tanods, garbage collectors, street sweepers, Lupong Tagapamayapa member, and barangay officials of the city’s 80 barangays.

Of the councilors present yesterday, only Councilors Edgar Labella, Joey Daluz and Edu Rama - political allies of the reelected mayor - voted in favor of the ordinance’s rejection.

Councilor Margot Osmeña, one of the 13 who voted against the veto, explained that barangay workers need the honorarium to be distributed monthly to address their basic needs.

“These people need the money to be available on a regular basis not when the mayor wishes to give them. Remember the latest distribution was in April? It was not even quarterly,” Osmeña told reporters.

Daluz defended Rama’s veto, saying the mayor already envisioned a monthly release of the honoraria but believed that it is still premature to implement it now.

“It’s not that easy to have it monthly right now. It entails so many considerations. The mayor is not really against it but sees the need for more time for preparation,” Daluz told reporters.

He cited “a lot of reasons” why the monthly distribution is not feasible as of the moment.

“Ang mahitabo ana, wala nay lain buhaton ang tig release. Magsige nalang og andam kada bulan para sa pagpanghatag. Another factor is the availability of funds. Ayaw kog ingna nga manghatag ta og tag P100 kung mao ra nay makaya nga i-release for a certain month?” Daluz explained.

He added that because of the override, the mayor is now forced to implement the ordinance.

However, Rama could explore another option once he arrives from his 22-day vacation.

“The only thing to stop its implementation is through a legal battle. He has to seek the help of courts. That’s the option,” Daluz added. /LPM (FREEMAN)