Showdown at city council expected today

CEBU, Philippines - Heated arguments may be expected between Cebu City Councilor MaryAnn Delos Santos and the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan-allied councilors during this morning’s regular session of the City Council.

The city legislators headed by Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella are scheduled to further discuss today the issue about the election of officers of the City Council and for the 24 various standing committees.

It was not approved during the inaugural session last July 1 after Delos Santos questioned why there were no actual elections conducted to elect the chairmen, vice chairmen and the members of the different council committees.

Both Delos Santos and fellow Team Rama councilor Dave Tumulak were not given any committee that is why the former barangay captain of Lahug strongly objected, prompting Labella to hold in abeyance the approval of the matter.

Delos Santos said she wants to be chairwoman of the Committee on Health and Hospital Services, but the committee was given to BOPK-allied Councilor Lea Japson.

Tumulak wanted the Committee on Public Order and Safety, but it was given to Councilor Ritchie Osmeña, another BOPK-allied city legislator.

Of the four Team Rama-allied city legislators, only Councilor James Cuenco and Nendell Hanz Abella were given committees, Cuenco is chairman of the Committee on Tourism while Abella is a member of the education committee.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña explained that the election of officers was actually done during their caucus because if the procedure will be done at the regular session it will drag the proceedings.

But the BOPK-allied councilors said if Delos Santos wishes to have the election be held during their regular session today they may grant her wish, but said she will not succeed in her dream. –(FREEMAN)