Vice Mayor: JVR wasn’t bypassed no one’s playing politics at city hall

CEBU, Philippines -  Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante yesterday denied the council bypassed the mayor when it declared the city under a state of calamity.

A lawyer by profession, Villarante said that under the Local Government Code there are two instances wherein the council can call for a special session: 1. When it is called by the mayor, and 2. When it is recommended by the majority.

Last Friday, he called for a special session and that was when the majority of the council agreed to assemble and declare the city under a state of calamity.

Villarante said he waited for days for Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes to call for a special session, but when there was none, he went ahead.

“There really was a need for a collegial decision after we received reports about damages at city hall which have to be repaired, and these may need a lot of money,” he said, adding that there are also houses and public structures that also need financial assistance.

But even if the city government can release the sum, the council, during its accelerated regular session yesterday morning, approved a resolution asking Governor Hilario Davide III for P5 million for the repair of the city hall.

“Upon discussion of the councilors, we came up with a resolution to declare…primarily to allow the mayor to use the calamity funds,” he said.

Villarante, who was Delos Reyes’ running mate last election, is reportedly at odds with the new administration, after Delos Reyes allegedly ignored a suggestion that he accommodate some of Villarante’s people at city hall.

The vice mayor said the move to declare the city under a state of calamity was also a bid to help public employees avail of calamity loans.

He said the declaration was to allow Delos Reyes to use the city’s calamity fund, which is the only “available funds” the city has these days, and that it must be used considering they are already in the last quarter.

Meanwhile, Villarante also denied that the move was to support the candidacies of their bloodlines who are seeking public office in the barangay polls.

Villarante’s brother is running for barangay captain in Poblacion, while some councilors have also families who are also running for barangay captains and councilmen. “Pwede diay?” he laughed, and added that it was not in his mind when they approved it, as he is someone who is “highly moral” and who does not submit to any illegalities.

Shortly after it was reported in the media last week, there are residents of the city who questioned the move of the council saying the city was not badly damaged by last week’s earthquake, and asked why the council had to declare the entire city under a state of calamity.

“Para kung mag-distribute na sila ma-starring dayon ilang mga paryente nga nanglangsad? Pirmi na ra ba na nila’ng gamiton ang resources sa city hall, nga kung naay project sa barangay butangan dayon og ngan anang manghud ni Villarante mura’g gikan gyud niya,” said a resident of barangay Poblacion, who refused to be named. The City Social Welfare and Development Office has confirmed that Poblacion has the most number of affected families at 150 (or 376 individuals).

City Budget Officer Edgardo Mabunay said the city’s remaining calamity fund is at P8 million, but they could always “realign” funds from other sources such as the unused salaries for vacant posts.

He also denied the city is running out of funds as alleged by Villarante. (FREEMAN)