Councilor grilled over trade fair brawl

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

COLLEAGUES at the City Council grilled Councilor Joel Alangsab during an inquiry on the recently concluded Association of Barangay Council’s (ABC) fund-raising activity.

The supposed inquiry, however, went nowhere as the councilors voted for the session’s adjournment without resolving motions of where to refer alleged irregularities committed by officials of the ABC and unidentified personnel of the City Tourism Office.

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Some councilors moved for the matter as well as other issues related to the holding of trade fairs to be referred to an ad hoc committee, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Civil Service Commission, City Legal Office and even the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Arguments revolved around whether there is sufficient evidence to indict officials who were questioned.

Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas pointed out many of the supposed “facts” extracted from the inquiry are mere suspicions.

Councilor Edison Bilog said the supposed P2.3 million earning of the ABC does not reflect the real earning for it does not include overhead expenses incurred by the organizer.

During the session Monday, Councilors Nicasio Aliping Jr. and Edison Bilog tried to stop the inquiry, arguing it is beyond the council’s jurisdiction to investigate a group, which has its own rules to investigate erring members.

During the discussion, however, issues on transparency of transactions of the ABC prevailed.

Lady Councilors Betty Lourdes Tabanda and Perlita Rondez pointed out the ABC led by Alangsab reneged on his assurances in their previous sessions.

Alangsab previously said the ABC would manage the trade fair at Juan Luna Drive. Proceeds will reportedly be used as additional allowances of barangay tanods and nutrition officers.

Alangsab admitted the ABC failed to abide by their commitments but said the changes were a decision of its board of directors, prompted by their lack of experience in managing a trade fair.

ABC vice president Rocky Aliping also said the ABC does not have enough funds to pay for fees imposed by the City Government.

“Why did you accept a pittance?” Rondez said adding the ABC could have earned more if the association managed the trade fair.

Tabanda, on the other hand, said Alangsab failed to notify the council of the ABC’s change of plans.

Alangsab, meanwhile, appealed to his colleagues at the City Council, the ABC and media to be fair in their comments regarding the recently concluded trade fair of the association.

In a privilege speech Alangsab said the call for an investigation by former officials of the ABC was meant to malign him.

He said the barangay officials who asked the council to investigate the trade fair instead of discussing the issue internally, chose to come out in media and the City Council.

“The election has long been concluded and it is time for us to move forward together. Let us not use a magnifying to look for a black spot on a white wall.”

PB’s Eva Fianza, Benjamin Macadangdang and Alberto Reyes ran against Alangsab in the previous ABC elections. Reyes withdrew his candidacy at the last minute.

“We at the ABC Board, appeal for future concerns or matters within the ABC that it be taken and discussed within the organization first so as not to make a grandstanding out of every issue within the Liga.”

To his colleagues at the City Council, Alangsab appealed for the trade fair ordinance to be amended or for all trade fairs to be disallowed if the Council is truly bent on imposing compliance to the trade fair ordinance.

“While we admit that there have been lapses on the part of the ABC board, may I likewise request that all other trade fairs be looked upon since there are likewise irregularities, errors and non-compliance with the guidelines.”