Archival unhappy over rejection of "Citizen's Hour"

CEBU, Philippines — The rejection of the motion to revive the citizen’s hour during Cebu City council sessions has “saddened” Minority Floor Leader, Councilor Nestor Archival Sr., who said that a platform for the public's voice has been eliminated.

During the inaugural reorganizational session last Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the move to adopt the house rules for the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year was unanimously approved.

As the discussion progressed, reinstated Minority Floor Leader Archival raised a motion to revive the citizen’s hour during the council session to include the public’s opinion in the discussion under Article 6, Order of Business.

Archival cited that the 1987 Philippine Constitution under Article 13 Section 16 provides the right of the people and their organizations "effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making shall not be abridged."

This provision, he added, can give an avenue for public engagement, and provide means for direct communication with the people, as well as improve accountability of public officials.

Archival pointed out that while it creates a means to build community, it also establishes informed decision-making, transparency and trust; and empowers the people by giving them a voice and an opportunity to influence the policy-making process.

Majority floor leader Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, however, said that Archival's motion is rather an amendment of the house rules that is supposed to be raised before the approval.

As Archival insisted on the motion as a resolution, Pesquera manifested her objection, which led Councilor Philip Zafra to suggest in dividing the house.

With Councilors Mary Ann de los Santos, Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa, Joy Young, and Archival himself, voting for its approval, eight members have voted to object, therefore rejecting the resolution.

Zafra explained that the councilors are already representatives of the people hence being elected for legislative seats. He added that there has already been an inclusion to opt for conducting an executive session which to him, corresponds to a wider discussion that accommodates public concerns.

In an interview with reporters yesterday, July 4, 2024, Archival said the Citizen’s Hour is supposedly a revival of what was implemented and practiced during the 15th City Council.

He stressed that although they are elected by the people, they cannot just extract the majority of the public’s perspective on every issue.

“Para nako og unsa among gitan-aw it is not reflective sa kadaghanan, or sentiment sa tibuok constituents,” said Archival.

He added that he has been reviewing the need for the Citizen’s Hour, adding that it was highly effective during the 15th City Council as it ga e the public a platform to be involved.

“Kay kami, dili man mi superman. Og unsay among sintyemento, mao sad ang sintyemento sa mga tawo,” said Archival.

Among those Archival cited as an issue that should be have been discussed is the scrutiny of the proposed budget for the city’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2024, which has an allocation of almost P500 million.

Although he doesn’t question the hosting of the said national sports event, Archival however said the lack of discussions related to the budget will just lead to more questions of transparency.

“Why are we buying P135 million worth of LED wall? Mao nay questions sa kadaghanan sa mga tawo. Ako, I cannot answer that, being a councilor I cannot even answer that. Why are we putting this kind of dako kaayo nga gasto nga para nako gamiton nato mainly gyud sa during the time sa Palaro, nya di man ta expert ana, di gani ta ka maintain sa atong mga kasilyas, how can we maintain this kind of technology nga advanced kaayo,” said Archival.

He added that should these questions be brought up in a supposed citizen’s hour, it can also unearth more information and details that is needed.

The rejection of the revival of the citizen’s hours has been labeled as a “sad situation” by Archival for the public who would want to air their respective grievances.

Regarding the suggestion of utilizing executive sessions instead for said discussions, Archival said that it does not equate to a citizen’s hour since its attendance is still limited while the public is restricted.

He added that in the regular sessions also, the public is not allowed to interact with the legislative body.

“Naay mga issues nga kinahanglan i-discuss sa whole populace,” he said.

Currently, Archival said there is nothing he can do anymore to lobby the public’s engagement with the policy-making body. – ATO (CEBU NEWS)