Labella ‘violated’ council procedure

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos has called out Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella for allegedly breaking the rules of procedure during the council session on May 8.

That day, the council was deliberating on the motion of Councilor Eugenio Gabuya that sought to authorize Mayor Tomas Osmeña to sign the amended joint venture agreement (JVA) on the proposed P18-billion development of the Kawit property at the South Road Properties.

In her privilege speech yesterday, Delos Santos said that when Labella set aside the motion of Gabuya that day, it gave Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia a change to raise a privilege motion.

"Member Garcia's privilege motion was not proper at that point, Mr. Presiding Officer. Our rules are clear. Section 5 of Article XII of our own rules of procedure provides for a specific list of privilege motions," she said.

The section identifies four types of privilege motions: motion to adjourn, motion to recess, questions of privilege, and call for orders of the day.

Delos Santos said the privilege motion of Garcia to refer the development project to the ad hoc committee was not "contemplated" in the list of privilege motions.

"Member Garcia's motion does not even constitute a question of privilege over that of Hon. Gabuya's main motion. So, therefore, Mr. Presiding Officer, Member Garcia's privilege motion was out of order at that it was made. Instead of declaring it as such, the presiding officer put Member Garcia's motion to vote," she further said.

Delos Santos also said Councilor Alvin Arcilla even called Labella's attention about the matter but the vice mayor reportedly did not listen.

She added that Councilors Margarita "Margot" Osmeña and Gabuya even objected to the motion of Garcia for the council to vote to refer the measure to the ad hoc panel.

Delos Santos maintained that Labella's action was "unprocedural" and "unjustified" for it violated council's rules.

Sought for comment, Labella assured that rules are observed during council deliberations. He also said the council members had a thorough discussion on the measure.

"The rules of procedural are applied in a manner that will promote harmony in the discussion. Whether it is a privilege motion or subsidiary motion, it can be applicable and we maintain that," he said.

Labella said if he was "unprocedural", the opposition should have appealed his decision at that time.

On allegations that he was unfair, the vice mayor said: "She is entitled to her own opinion. That's her comment, so be it. They were given an opportunity to discuss. There was a lengthy discussion. They should have appealed to the chair."

Delos Santos said she raised the matter to remind the council members that they have rules to follow and not because she wants the measure on Kawit development revived.

"We should all be reminded that rules are here to be followed and respected, and not to be twisted as to accommodate our whims and caprices and whatever political agenda that we may have," she said.

Further, she said it is a "timely reminder" as they are about to meet new ex-officio members, the incoming SK Federation president and Association of Barangay Councils president. (FREEMAN)