Monday, July 19, 2004
Lone Mandaue City opposition councilor ‘left out in cold’; 24 committees still have no heads
MORE than two weeks into their new terms, members of the Mandaue City Council have yet to finalize the chairmanships of at least 24 committees.
The proposed list of committees and chairpersons, however, doesn’t include the lone opposition, Councilor Elmer Cabahug.
Like his previous term in 1998, Cabahug will be minority floor leader. However, a chairmanship of or membership in a committee remains to be seen.
“This is still a proposal and it is up to the majority to decide,” said Councilor Wenceslao Gakit, who is eyed to be the next majority floor leader.
According to the proposal, Gakit stands to be chairperson of at least five committees, including two that were previously with Councilor Dionisio Ceniza.
Gakit’s role
If finalized, Gakit heads the committees for budget and finance; tourism; trade and industry; health and hospital services; and police, fire and penology.
If Gakit does become majority floor leader, the number of his committees becomes six as the majority floor leader “automatically” gets the committee on rules and privileges.
Councilor Carlo Pontico Fortuna has four committees: laws and ordinances; transportation, communication and public utilities; labor, employments and manpower development; and livelihood, cooperatives and accreditation.
Councilors Ceniza, Jonas Cortes, Joy Ouano, Cristabel Cuizon and Vice Mayor Amadeo Seno Jr. get one committee each.
2 each
Councilors Glenn Bercede, Rosita Benabaye, Allan Borbajo, Raul Cabahug and Procopio Villanueva get two committees each.
Borbajo heads the newly created committee on energy while Villanueva now gets the committee on environmental protection, which was left vacant by former councilor Alfonso Albaño.
Elmer, who ran for councilor under the opposition ticket, made it to the last slot for councilor in the May polls. He and Raul are politically at odds.
In a previous interview, Elmer said he hopes to be assigned a committee and a budget for the salary of his staff.
He prefers a committee on sports-related activities but he will accept what will be offered to him, saying it would still be a challenge to him. AAG
(July 19, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
