Andales laments disunity in council

CEBU, Philippines —  Minority Floor Leader, Councilor Sisinio Andales, lamented the apparent lack of unity among council members, saying that calling for a division of the house when a resolution is being deliberated is determined through political alliances.

Andales issued his sentiment after two consecutive resolutions, during a recent regular session, were approved through voting, following objections from some of the members of the minority.

During the session, the council opted to divide the house to decide on a resolution that aims to grant Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival the authority to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Cebu City Government and the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI).

This would mark the green light for the rollout of the ?20-per-kilo rice program in Cebu City.

The resolution was filed by Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover.

Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña, however, during the session reiterated the concerns he had also raised during the special session that was called for to approve the same resolution.

“They still have not provided the details on the safeguards, the limits, and the equitable distribution, and they are supposed to look at the other models,” said Osmeña.

He cited the situation in Mandaue City, where hundreds of sacks of rice reportedly got spoiled.

“They are already passing the blame to each other,” he said.

Osmeña said the council is potentially opening itself to plunder.

He suggested looking into the model scheme of Bacolod City, stressing that his concern is the city government could be accused of favoring certain beneficiaries.

He also pointed out further the need to clearly define who can avail themselves of the ?20-per-kilo rice and then moved to object to the proposed resolution.

With seven votes in favor, six against, and one abstention, the resolution was approved. It was, however, noted that most of those who opposed came from the minority bloc, led by Andales himself, as the Minority Floor Leader.

In the same session, the council again divided the house on another resolution, also filed by Alcover, which asked the city mayor to establish a media lounge.

Initially, Andales objected to the idea, saying that there shouldn’t be special treatment for a specific sector only. He added that when questions are raised, the proponent should answer.

As the discussion progressed, Alcover then sought the division of the house to determine the outcome. With seven votes in favor, six against, and one abstention, the resolution was approved.

It was upon this second decision that Andales raised his observation.

“I noticed that this is a clear division of party line, just because they have the majority member, they always ask for the division of the house,” said Andales.

“It is clear, even if they cannot answer my question, because they are the majority of this city council they moved for the division of the house, it’s unfair…it seems now, we are not in unity as a council,” he added.

The council, however, decided to take note of Andales' observation and moved forward considering that the resolutions had already been approved. (CEBU NEWS)