Talisay dads: No violation committed when committee report was okayed

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City’s administration councilors yesterday denied they violated a law when they approved a committee report which recommends the naming of a street that traverses four barangays after the late congressman Antonio Bacaltos Sr.

Majority leader Rodi Cabigas said Section 13 (Chapter 2) of the Local Government Code states that the council “may, in consultation with the Philippine Historical Commission (PHC), change the name of component cities and municipalities, provincial roads…” Cabigas gave emphasis on “may,” as he said it is “not compulsory.”

For his part, Councilor Eduardo Gullas III said the road in question is owned by the city government, contrary to the claim of the opposition that it is a provincial property hence the city council has no right to name it.

Gullas authored a proposed ordinance naming a street that traverses barangays Lawaan 1 and II, Mohon and Pooc as Congressman Antonio Bacaltos Sr. Street.

It was filed last March 6 at the council but was referred to the committee on laws.

Last Tuesday, in his report, Councilor Choy Aznar, being chairman on the committee on laws, recommended for the approval of the ordinance.

But Councilor Romeo Villarante of the opposition raised his concern that there might be legal impediments to the proposal, noting that the road was already named as Cong. Maximino Noel.

Despite Villarante’s manifestation, the council, with the administration block ruling it, passed the committee report.

Villarante said the administration had “railroaded” the approval in the hope of winning the support of the Bacaltos clan for the coming elections.

Councilor Dennis Basillote, another administration councilor, denied politics was behind it.

“Para sa election? Tuig pa kapin, kadugay pa ato. Ug unsay pamulitika? Sila siguro’y namulitika kay sige naman na sila og panghatag og bugas,” Basillote said.

Cabigas also explained that they followed the “proper procedures,” or it would not have taken the proposal three sessions or more if it would still not be approved on Tuesday.

Gullas said the opposition should also be supportive of the council’s plan to name a street after one of its loyal sons.

He said the main purpose of his ordinance was only “to give honor” to the Talisaynon.

And besides, Bacaltos died in 2004, Basillote said the city is even delayed in giving him that honor.

The late Bacaltos was a Constitutional Convention delegate from 1971 to 1972 and a Congressman in 1981 to 1992.

He was also a lawyer and a vice mayor of Talisay in 1960 to 1963 before being nominated as a Constitutional Convention delegate representing the third district of Cebu and the vice chairman of the committee on judicial power from 1971 to 1972.  

He was also elected as a representative of the first district from 1987 to 1992. (FREEMAN)