CEBU, Philippines - Association of Barangay Council (ABC) President Charles Basillote yesterday said some city councilors meant no offense when they commented on the mayor’s release of relief goods to the northern towns without the council’s approval.
“They didn’t mean to offend anyone,†Basillote said.
The other day, city administrator John Yre delos Reyes, son of Mayor Johnny delos Reyes, challenged Councilors Choy Aznar, Aldin Diaz, Danny Caballero, and Charles Basillote’s father, Dennis Basillote to abstain from food for at least two days so as to give them an idea how people in the north would have felt if no food came from Talisay City on that particular day.
“We just want to say that my father’s statement was not meant to offend the mayor. We just want to protect the mayor from problema unya in the near future,†Basillote said.
Like Basillote, Councilor Danilo Caballero said nobody criticizes the mayor.
Caballero just wants the mayor to go through the process.
“We do not criticize him. In fact, we laud the mayor’s move,†Caballero said.
Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante declined to comment.
Under the Local Government Code, the mayor has the executive power, with or without a council resolution, to use the calamity funds for relief and rescue operations, even if these are for other local government units. (FREEMAN)