Radaza keeps CH office despite notice to vacate

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Rep. Paz Radaza continues to hold office at the City Hall despite notice to vacate from Mayor Junard Chan and adverse opinion from Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.

Paz said she will maintain a status quo until a clarification is issued by Año on her continued holding office at the City Hall. The DILG Secretary earlier said that the mayor, being the local chief executive, has the authority over the use of offices at the City Hall.

But Radaza wants further clarification, claiming that her holding office at the City Hall is in accordance with the City Ordinance 14-200-2019. According to Radaza, the said ordinance provides an office space for the lone district congressman at the City Hall. She said the district representative had been holding office there since its creation.

"The same makes it operations efficient, as it follows a one-stop-shop model locating the same in proximity with other government offices and thus providing convenience to the transacting public," Radaza said in her letter seeking clarification from Año.

"With the foregoing, we respectfully would like to request for your formal clarification on this matter. Your clarification and/or directive would greatly guide us in determining the proper actions to be taken. We assure you that until receipt of your reply, we will maintain status quo and will not take action that would preempt or prejudice whatever your reply would be,” it added.

Radaza claimed that her office was forcibly opened on July 1. She said the opening of her office with permission has violated the city ordinance.

The congresswoman added that the ordinance also obligated the mayor to provide office space not only to the district representative but to the other agencies, which by law or ordinance are entitled to such space at the City Hall. (FREEMAN)