MINUS the walk-out part, opposition Councilor Zaldy Ocon again torn to smithereens Vice Mayor Emano’s “excuse letter” while addressing his colleagues during Tuesday’s 100th session of the City Council.

By Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro’s count, the vice mayor has so far incurred 98 straight absences. He presided the City Council only once when it opened in 2007.

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Vice Mayor Emano was heard giving interview to a government-run radio station while Tuesday’s session was ongoing.

“Mr. Chairman, I have always been cited for my supposed misbehavior. But I cannot wait anymore,” said Councilor Ocon, who appeared calmer than in previous occasions when he spoke about Vice Mayor Emano’s absenteeism at the City Council.

“Today is the 100th regular session of our council,” the fiery broadcaster-turned-politician said, as he gave a cursory look on Emano’s letter that again contained the very same text since Day 1 of his long absence: He was “attending to equally important function.”

“I’m not convinced with his reason. He (Emano) has been fooling the people of Cagayan de Oro. Busa ang maayo niining papel gisi-on,” the councilor said, and proceeded to rip the vice mayor’s “excuse letter.”

Ocon has, on several occasions, made tiny bits of the vice mayor’s letter, provoking stern response from majority members who threaten him with disciplinary action.

Tuesday’s session was no different, though the acting presiding chairman, Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, avoided confrontation by relinquishing the chair to Councilor Alfonso Goking just as Ocon was about to give Emano’s letter a good rip.

Councilor Goking then threatened to have Ocon disciplined; saying theatrics would not be tolerated while the council is in session.

Ocon retorted he will not stop tearing into pieces Emano’s letter unless the latter shows up at the session and performs his office.

“I’m not afraid of sanctions here, I dare you to impose sanctions on me,” Ocon said in the dialect. “But before you punish me, punish our absentee vice mayor first.”

Emano has repeatedly stated his nonattendance at council sessions was borne of dislike in debates common in the legislative body, and not a deliberate act of neglecting his public functions.

Meanwhile, members of Task Force (TF) Democracy who were in the gallery during the exchange of words from Ocon and Goking told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that they were dismayed at how “Emano’s lackeys” defended their political patriarch.

In an interview right after the incident, Engr. Henry Abrillo, member of TF Democracy, said Emano’s continuing absences is an affront to the people of Cagayan de Oro.

“Protesta kami sa insulto nga dako ni Emano. He is belittling the legislative’s role in a city that’s propped towards industrialization. His absences are pure foolishness and tantamount to dereliction of duty,” Abrillo said.

He added that even before the creation of TFD, he had been observing the regular sessions. “Mas daghan pa -- kun kwentahon nato -- ko og attendance kay kang Dongkoy,” Abrillo said.

“Mas maayo pa he would come out clean. Angkonon niya nga wala siya’y kahibaloan sa legislation and so it would be better for him to step down,” he added.

Earlier in the session Tuesday, Ocon was ruled “out of order” by Nacaya when he tried to propose another way to solve the problem posed by Goking on the difficulty of people living in his lot to acquire permit for legit electrical connections.

Goking told his colleagues that with the recent fires in the city, many residents in depressed areas in the city would resort to “flying” connections, which are susceptible to conflagrations.

He cited the experience of the people living in his land. With this, Ocon suggested: “Para dali ra ni nga problema, solusyon ini, tagai’g titulo pare.”

Ocon’s suggestion elicited laughter in the gallery.

Ocon then proceeded to ask where the 27 lots that were bought by the city. But Nacaya told Ocon he was veering away from the issue at hand and suggested that if he had other concerns, Ocon could take this up by scheduling a special report for the next session.

Discussion began to heat up when Ocon claimed that when it comes to the issue of city’s land acquisition, the council would be defensive.

“I am a victim of the tyranny of the majority. Ang nakadaut ninyo basta yuta gani ang hisgutan, masuko dayon mo,” Ocon said.

Tabor, for his part, called for a one-minute recess presumably to cool heads down.