Chan: Opposition holds annual budget hostage

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan has accused the opposition-dominated City Council of holding hostage the annual budget to cripple his administration and advance their political interest with the May 2022 elections barely four months away.

The city is operating in a reenacted budget at present because the City Council has yet to pass the P3.2 billion 2022 Annual Budget.

In a statement, Chan said the majority in the City Council who are allied with his opponent, Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Rep. Paz Radaza, are trying to pull his administration down to the disadvantage of the people.

He said that assistance to the victims of typhoon Odette has been affected because the City Council failed to pass his budget. According to Chan, even the donations for typhoon victims from various groups could not be utilized without the appropriations ordinance.

“Bisan karong January nag-sige gihapon sud ang mga donations, but we cannot use the amount it is because we don’t have an approved budget for 2022,” Chan said.

He urged the members of the opposition to set aside their political interest and help the people who are in desperate need for assistance by passing the annual budget. Chan accused the members of the majority of allegedly taking orders from Radaza which Councilor Flaviano Hiyas, Jr., chairman of the committee on finance, vehemently denied.

Hiyas said it is Chan that is to be blamed for the Council’s failure to pass the annual budget until now. According to Hiyas, the mayor refused to allow his department heads to attend the council session.

“Ang mayoriya sa konseho sugod pa atong Octobre 2021 ni awhag na sa mayor sa pagpa attend sa mga department heads ug iyang mga representante sa session sa konseho para matuki ang annual budget sa tuig 2022. Apan subo ug maka dismaya kaayo nga gibabagan sa mayor ang mga department heads ug mga opisyales nga motunga sa konseho aron sa paghatag sa sakto nga mga dokumento ug impormarsyon mahitungod sa annual budget,” added Councilor Michael Dignos.

Chan said he allowed his finance officials to attend the session four times until they asked to be excused because the members of the majority reportedly admonished them instead of asking relevant questions about the budget.

“Dakong bakak,” Chan said.

Dignos urged the residents of Lapu-Lapu City to just observe the proceedings in the City Council online for them to see and draw their own conclusions.

“Amo-ang hangyo sa mayor nga bag-ong tuig na karon hinaut dili na niya ihikaw sa katawhan ang tinuod ug sakto nga kahimtang sa atoang panudlanan sa siyudad. Ang atong Mayor walay transparency sa tanang donasyon ug transaction ning panahon sa bagyo,” Dignos said. — FPL (FREEMAN)