Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has made it clear that there will be no purchases of new cars yet as the city government has other priorities such as additional vehicles for the city’s police units to address the rising problem of criminality in the area. The mayor said that he would rather use whatever resources there is in the city’s coffers to buy the badly needed garbage trucks.
The controversial issue on the vehicles, however, did not end there because it sparked a fight between Councilor Liborio Lumain and Majority Floor Leader Bonifacio Militar. It even made a show when the councilors lost their cool discussing the bid for new cars.
In his privilege speech during the council session Tuesday, Lumain again reiterated his bid for the brand new cars saying the councilors, especially those belonging to the second and third districts need them in their area visitation. But instead of just stating his case, Lumain took a dig at Militar saying the councilor does not need a service vehicle from the city government because he personally owns five cars. "Make it seven if you include the cars of his children which he could use anytime," Lumain said insinuating that Militar was among the richest in the city council. — Edith Regalado