Diaz's loyalty questioned over vote against mayor

CEBU, Philippines - Is Talisay City Councilor Aldrin Diaz leaving the minority administration group to join the council-dominating Alayon party?

This was raised by Mayor Johnny de los Reyes after Diaz, a Liberal Party member and his known ally, decided to vote against giving him blanket authority to enter into contracts and transactions not exceeding P3 million.

Other Liberal Party members are City Councilors Danilo Caballero, Valeriano Ylanan and Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante. Both Caballero and Ylanan voted for the approval of the move, only to be eclipsed by the resounding "no votes" of the Alayon-dominated council.

Villarante was not able to vote as he sat as the presiding officer and could only cast his vote to break ties.

De los Reyes said he now considers three allies out of the councilors, pertaining to Caballero, Ylanan and Dennis Basillote. "Tulo naman lang ang mi-support nako sa council," he said.

But in a separate interview with The Freeman, Diaz clarified that he remains with the Liberal Party.

"I'm still with the Liberal Party and I'm not joining Alayon," Diaz said, pointing out that his decision to vote against the move was an exercise of objectivity.

He said he was just "objective" when he voted against the resolution because giving blanket authority to the mayor would affect the role of the legislative department in scrutinizing transactions made by the executive department.

Diaz said his decision was based on what is the good for Talisay and what is good for the party.

He added that he sees no problem with Alayon members in the city council as they are "very supportive" in implementing the plans and projects of the incumbent mayor.

Caballero, who is the minority floor leader, believes that Diaz is not leaving the administration. He said they respect the decision of Diaz when he did not support the resolution sponsored by Ylanan.

"We respect him. I will not question Councilor Diaz as to why he voted against the resolution. He has his reason and we will leave it that way," Caballero said.