Sunday, November 11, 2007 2 dads clash over P1-B proposed budget
THE proposed P1 billion of the City Government for 2008 has reportedly started a rift between two members of the City Council.
Councilors Al Victor Espino and Homer Bais, formerly tagged as part of the "powerful" Voltes V at the City Council were in a verbal tussle over the controversial budget, which according to Bais is being hostaged by Espino for still unknown reason.
Espino chairs the committee on finance and appropriation while Bais heads the committee on tourism.
Espino, however, stressed, "Bais is not Mayor Bing Leonardia. So why he's in hurry of the budget?"
Probably, Bais doesn't know how to understand English that's why he doesn't understand what he's doing right now, Espino told Sun.Star-Bacolod in a phone interview Thursday night.
He said Bais should take note that there is no proposed ordinance yet on the proposed P1 billion budget for 2008.
Meaning what the council have at this time is the budget message from Leonardia so we will still have time to review piece-by-piece the entire 2008 proposed budget.
"That's why I don't know what Councilor Bais is talking about internal rules on the approval of the budget. Well, he should remember that as per legal action, each LGU (local government unit) is given the mandatory deadline to approve an Executive Budget on or before December 31 of the year," Espino said.
So what's all the hurry? We will have time and some of the councilors need to review the budget yet, Espino added.
'Hostage'
On the other hand, talks also started to mill around Bacolod City especially within the vicinity of the Bacolod City Hall that Espino is holding the 2008 proposed budget "hostage" against Mayor Leonardia's P1 billion budget dream.
This, as Espino allegedly got irked with the present administration's failure to support the candidacy of his father, lawyer Alex Espino, during the October 29 barangay and SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) elections.
The elder Espino ran for barangay chairman but lost to incumbent barangay chief Andre Las Pinas in Barangay Villamonte.
The elder Espino was said to be one of the aspirants for the presidency in the Liga ng mga Barangay in Bacolod if he wins in the elections.
"No! It's stupid, malicious and untrue allegations against me and my father," Councilor Espino rebutted.
I or we don't have any ill-feelings with Mayor Leonardia, he also said, adding, "It's stupid to say that I am retaliating by stalling the approval of the P1 billion budget."
But Bais explained, "More time should have been devoted to budget discussions since a P1 billion budget will be presented. There is a need for extra effort in studying items in the budget."
"Usually, we are doing the budget hurriedly towards the year-end and have to spend special sessions just to finish deliberations," he added.
"Who is he, the mayor? The mayor is not even in a hurry?" Espino retorted.
"The last time I checked, the mayor of Bacolod is Bing Leonardia and not Homer Bais," Espino stressed.
"The mayor submitted the proposed budget but the committee has not acted on it yet for the same reason that it's a P1 billion budget and it needs to be dissected or scrutinized well," Espino explained.
Burning bridges
Espino, meanwhile, refused to comment on allegations that he and Bais have already started burning bridges.
No comment, he told SunStar-Bacolod but he apparently admitted that "Voltes V" at the City Council is now on the verge of destruction.
Voltes V is composed by Councilors Greg Gasataya, Dinso Ramos, Espino, Bais and former councilor and now vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson. (EASD/GABS)
