Election issues still hound Talisay Council

CEBU, Philippines – Nearly five months after the elections, the Talisay City Council continues to be bugged by what happened last May.

Though most of the city's lawmakers claim they want to move on, there was lengthy discussion yesterday on internal party matters like allegations of junking fellow candidates last May.

Unpleasant words were thrown at Councilor Val Ylanan, who at the regular session was called a traitor by his former partymates in the administration party.

Vice Mayor Alan Bucao said they want to "move on" for the sake of public service, but not before administration councilors "ganged up" on Ylanan.

Everything started with a long privilege speech from Majority Floor Leader Rodi Cabigas.

He refuted a claim Ylanan made last week about being a victim of injustice.

"Mr. Chairman, as to the allegation of injustice in the allocation of job order personnel under his quota, it was a party decision. Because Councilor Val knows in his heart that he violated some party rules, that's why the party made a decision. Nagpagoryo-goryo lang siya, Mr. Chairman," said Cabigas.

For Cabigas, Ylanan is still "privileged" to have two staff members. Cabigas recalled that when he was with the opposition in 1992-1998, he did not have a single worker, not even his own office.

Cabigas said Ylanan should not consider his having only two office personnel as a hindrance in being an effective legislator.

"In fact, for a first councilor, he should consider himself lucky for having a decent office to call his own," said Cabigas.

Councilor Romeo Villarante, a minority member, reminded the council that the resources of the City are not only for the administration.

"It's just fair that any privileges should also be given to the minority, as these are not only for us but also for the people of Talisay," said Villarante.

Ylanan had just joined the opposition party. Like him, Villarante and Councilor Danny Caballero also do not have the privilege to endorse 20 job order employees accorded to each administration councilor. They also do not have any committee chairmanships.

But Bucao said the three are members of committees and even sit as vice chairmen in some. He said it is Ylanan's fault for jumping from their camp.

They accused Ylanan, weak in the surveys, of allegedly making "special operations" to win and leaving his team despite earlier agreement for teamwork.

Association of Barangay Councils President Osmundo Manreal, during the session, blamed Ylanan why he and partymate, former councilor Ronnie Capala did not make it to the top 10.

Manreal said if Ylanan worked with the team, he and Capala would have also won like all the rest of the administration bets.

For his part, Ylanan said he was only doing his "best" to get enough votes by doing what all of his fellow bets were doing.

Ylanan said he was "disappointed" that his own team did not appreciate that he ranked third, toppling most of the incumbents.

Councilor Dennis Basillote also mocked Ylanan yesterday for asking Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo last August 16 to intervene.

Basillote called Ylanan a "traydor" (traitor) for campaigning for Aquino despite being with Alayon-endorsed Manny Villar.

After a long commentary from administration councilors, Bucao asked for them to move on as the issues are "water under the bridge."

 Ylanan and Villarante agreed, hoping everyone would be honorable enough to do so.

Meanwhile, Cabigas said as to the request for job orders from the minority, he already sent a letter to Mayor Socrates Fernandez. (FREEMAN)