Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, for his part, accused the council of railroading the ordinance that allocated P15 million for each of the vice mayor and councilors' car plans, P14.6 million for the mayor's car and P5.6 million for barangay projects.
On Monday, the council will discuss in detail how the car plan was conceived. The discussion would also tackle the mayor's statements to the media regarding his allegation that he had nothing to do with the council's action, said Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia, who was named spokesperson, on the matter involving the car plan.
Balajadia, who was able to monitor radio, TV and newspaper accounts of Bautista's statement, said the mayor could not claim innocence because from the planning stage up to the ordinance's approval, he was aware of the council's every move.
Corroborating Balajadia's claim, Councilor Nicasio Aliping Jr. told Sun.Star the mayor is aware of the plan to purchase the cars.
Those in the Local Finance Committee was also aware of the plan, said Aliping, who was one of the councilors who seconded the motion to approve the proposed ordinance.
He said the plan was made known to the mayor in their Baguio Country Club meeting and then was reiterated during their November 12 meeting at the mayor's office, hours before he departed for China.
Councilman Antonio Tabora Jr., the lone councilor who voted against the measure, also did not object to the plan, Aliping added.
As to why Tabora had a change of heart, Aliping said only Tabora could explain this.
Balajadia and Aliping said they could take public criticism but not the mayor's denial and accusations that the ordinance was railroaded and his identified priority projects disregarded.
In their earlier statements, Councilors Rocky Thomas Balisong, Galo Weygan, Isabelo Cosalan Jr., Elaine Sembrano and Fred Bagbagen claimed the mayor was properly informed of the plan.
They also explained it was never their intention to misuse public funds but that they were driven by their will to serve their constituents.
If the mayor approves the ordinance, the cars' use would be limited to official functions and during office hours only. The vehicles would also be issued red plates--an indication that they are government property. (Rimaliza Opiña)
