5th Talisay City council convenes: All eyes on juicy committees

CEBU, Philippines - The minority bloc in the Talisay City council is uncertain whether it will walk home this morning with the top three most preferred committee chairmanships, namely, committee on budget and appropriation, committee on infrastructure, and committee on peace and order.

Apparently, the opposition, or the majority bloc, is not amenable to the suggestion that Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante be allowed to choose the chairmen for these particular committees.

The opening of the 5th City Council session will be held this morning.

On top of the agenda is the granting of committee chairmanships after a reorganization is completed.

Villarante wants Councilors Danilo Caballero, Aldien Diaz, and Valeriano Ylanan, all belonging to the minority, to head these committees.

Villarante has proposed that Caballero handle the peace and order committee; Diaz, the budget and finance, and Ylanan, the committee on public works and infrastructure.

If granted, Villarante will give each of the opposition councilor the privilege to hire 30, instead of five, job order workers.

But opposition Councilor Dortheo Emit has rejected Villarante’s proposal.

“Nalain ko sa istorya ni Vice Mayor kay gusto niya wala’y color pero naa gihapoy politika. Iyaha ming i-hostage by means of quota sa mga job orders. Atty. Villarante’s proposal is unacceptable,” Emit said.

The opposition is identified with the Alayon party.

With Alayon are Councilors Richard Francis Aznar, Antonio Bacaltos Jr., Emit, Socrates Fernandez, Eduardo Gullas III, Edward Alesna, and Dennis Basillote.

The two sectoral representatives - the SK and Association of the Barangay Council - are allied with Alayon.

Aznar, who could be the opposition majority floor leader, is eyeing the chairmanship  of the committee on budget and finance.

Aznar, however, has assured that the majority in the council will support the new administration’s programs and will never be an opponent of change.

Aznar has reiterated that they would be scrutinizers but not obstructionists.

He said the opposition will work hand in hand with the minority for the good of the city. (FREEMAN)