Vice mayoral bet bats for ‘united’ council

CEBU, Philippines — Once elected into office, Cebu City vice mayoral candidate Mary Ann de los Santos wants to promote “collaborative” legislative body.

During the #KnowYourCandidate with The FREEMAN yesterday, De los Santos, an incumbent city councilor, said she wants to develop a “good relationship” in the City Council despite different party affiliations.

#KnowYourCandidate is an interview series for the CEBU VOTE, the election coverage of The FREEMAN and Banat News.

Prior to holding sessions, she said there should be a caucus with all council members to thresh out issues and other concerns.

“Prior to any session, let’s have caucus for both of us, that’s the time we can discuss the issues, so that we cannot be quarreling in the council,” she said.

 “It should be very collaborative, if you put your interest in politics first prior to your position, that would muddle to everything and that’s the reason probably why, there’s a walked out in the City Council,” she added.

She vowed to be an “effective and efficient” presiding officer by putting aside partisan politics that divide the council.

She criticized the incumbent presiding officer, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, for being “inefficient” in upholding his duties.

 “I find him so indecisive and the presiding officer places a role to come up with a very good City Council. That for me is very important and as presiding officer you should know roles and responsibilities,” she said.

She said Labella, who is gunning for the mayoral seat against incumbent Mayor Tomas Osmeña, “failed” his role as presiding officer.

 “You’re supposed to be the father of the council, you have to reach out…You have to know your roles and responsibilities. You have to become very effective and efficient,” De Los Santos said.

Moreover, she said she will continue to represent the voice of the people.

 “I have known to be outspoken to what I believed in, I will continue to do that, no political party can stop on what I feel is right and no political party can stop me from any convictions and beliefs I want to say,” she said. — KBQ (FREEMAN)