For council appearance Mayor’s nod still needed

CEBU, Philippines- A mayor’s permission is still needed before department heads can appear before the Cebu City Council.

This was emphasized by City Administrator Lucelle Mercado by re-issuing a 2012 memorandum, which requires all executive officials to get Mayor Michael Rama’s permission prior to appearing before the council.

The February 26 memorandum says the memorandum dated April 4, 2012 “has not been roved and is still effective to date.”

“It is just a reminder that the memorandum last 2012 was not changed. What prompted me was that there were just questions from department heads kay even some councilors are even commenting nga pwerte na nilang daghana og executive sessions,” Mercado said.

“Gi-remind lang gyod nato ang department heads that there is a standing order by the mayor nga before mo-face sa council, mo-agi sa iyang office, which is but right kay siya man ang chief executive. So, anything nga nag-call og executive function, it has to go through him,” Mercado added.

The memorandum Rama issued on April 4, 2012 says all invitations and requests for appearance of executive officials should be coursed through in his office.

“Pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code, particularly Section 455, (b) 1. I) and (b) (1.x) thereof, which mandates the local chief executive to be mainly responsible to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for all programs of government as well as to ensure that all officials and employees of the city faithfully discharge their duties and functions, and pursuant to the paramount consideration of the separation of powers between the executive and legislative offices of the local government, all department heads, assistant department heads and heads of offices are hereby directed to secure prior consent from the undersigned prior to appearing before the Sangguniang Panlungsod,” the memorandum reads.

Mercado clarified the new memorandum is not in any way a gag order.

“How can you call it a gag order when the order has been there since it started?” she said.

For now, she said that there were no department heads that complained after they appeared before the City Council.

“Walay incidents nga nagka-problem pero ang naka-apan lang kay bisan gani og dili kaayo nila i-question kay executive kaayo nga function, ipatawag ka,” she said, adding, it is noticeable that the council has called for many executive sessions.

Any official who will not heed the memorandum will be made to explain why, Mercado said.  (FREEMAN)