Councilor threatens to leave JVR camp

CEBU, Philippines - “I hope he will make true his promise otherwise, aw, magbuwag ta,” Talisay City Councilor Aldrin Diaz said.

Diaz, who is allied with Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, expressed hope the mayor will allow each party-mate in the city council to employ 50 job order workers. 

Diaz abstained from voting in last Friday afternoon’s special session after learning that his quota for job order workers is only 20 while other Liberal partymates will have 50. 

The four LP members in the city council are Councilors Danilo Caballero, Valeriano Ylanan, Dennis Basillote, and Diaz. 

But sources close to the administration said De los Reyes intends to give Diaz only half of the quota while the other LP members will be given 50. 

During the recent special session, the opposition-Alayon dominated Sangguniang Panlungsod failed to garner enough support to override the mayor’s veto on the provision of the second sentence in Sec. 5 of the appropriation ordinance in the disputed P629 million annual budget for this year. 

The provision, which the Sanggunian approved, allocates 50 job order employees to each councilor and three each for the 22 barangay captains.

But the mayor vetoed the sentence.  

Diaz, in a meeting with the group, complained to Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, who is also an ally, saying that he will support Alayon’s fight to override the veto if he is treated unfairly. 

“Councilor Diaz’s sentiment is understandable. He should be treated fairly because he is with the administration,” the source said, who refused to be named. 

Villarante, in a separate interview, neither confirmed nor denied Diaz’s complaint.

On the other hand, councilors allied with Alayon respect the outcome of the voting. 

Councilor Socrates Fernandez said the outcome does not mean the end of public service. 

The number of votes needed by the council to override De los Reyes’ veto was eight.

But only seven out of 11 voted to override the mayor’s veto while three votes favored the mayor’s veto, and one abstained.

Voting to override the veto were Councilors Richard Francis Aznar, Socrates Fernandez, Edward Alesna, Doroteo Emit, Anotnio Bacaltos, Raul Bacaltos, and Eduardo “Digul” Gullas III.

Voting against the override were Danilo Caballero, Valeriano Ylanan, and Dennis Basillote.

The three are allied with De los Reyes. (FREEMAN)