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Monday, December 19, 2005
Cebu’s officials favor 2007 polls
By Linette C. Ramos & Jeanette P. Malinao
Sun.Star Staff Reporters
At least four members of the Cebu City Council are against the Constitutional Commission’s (Concom) proposal to suspend the 2007 local elections, saying it is against the law and is counterproductive.
Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem, a staunch ally of President Arroyo, however, said it would be good to extend the term of the incumbent elected officials so they can continue to implement their projects.
In separate phone interviews yesterday, Cebu City Councilors Edgardo Labella, Jocelyn Pesquera and Eugenio Faelnar said they would all prefer to have an election in 2007 to give the people a chance to choose their leaders.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama said the scrapping of the elections would only cause officials to slack off, since there won’t be any competition for their elective posts.
He added that other qualified individuals should also be given a chance to serve the public and bring in new ideas to the government.
“I am really not in favor of suspending the elections because it will only bring us back to the time of Martial Law where people could not choose their leaders. Besides, it will create a state of lethargy among officials and they will no longer be concerned with their duties because there is no more competition,” Rama told Sun.Star Cebu.
Interests
Officials of the Cebu Provincial Government gave varying opinions on the proposal to scrap the 2007 elections.
PB committee on laws chairman Antonio Almirante said constitutional changes will be difficult to pursue with the 2007 elections, because of the interests of some senators and Arroyo, who wants to finish her term in 2010.
Besides, the incumbents will “man the campaign wagon” for constitutional changes.
“We will give you the rare opportunity to continue being delighted with our faces,” Almirante joked.
Doing away with the 2007 elections will also “achieve” the synchronization of all parliamentary officials in 2010.
Almirante believes that the move is necessary to “satisfy all sectors, including the incumbents,” so we can move on with the shift to a parliamentary government.
But PB Member Joven Mondigo said public interest should not be compromised for the sake of some sectors.
“I should be interested in this because I am on my last term, but this will only deepen the misgivings and suspicions of the public against officials,” he said.
“I believe the proposal is only to accommodate the senators. Maayo kaha na (Is that good)?” he said.
Mandate
Councilor Labella said the proposal is “highly objectionable and legally questionable” since the mandate given to elected officials is only until 2007.
After two-and-a-half months of public consultation, the Concom submitted last week a report to President Arroyo.
Among others, it recommended that the 2007 local elections be suspended.
The 55-member commission also recommended the Arroyo head an interim parliament from 2007 to 2010.
“The mandate given to us is only until 2007 and we should at least respect that. If there would be any change in the Constitution, it should not have a retroactive effect, the effect should be prospective in character,” said Labella, a lawyer.
He said that canceling the election “would only lose the essence and stability of the legal processes in the country.”
Faelnar, president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), said he has always wanted elections to be held on schedule so that elective officials will be given a fresh mandate.
He said it would be better for the city and the people if elections are held in 2007, but this is not for the local officials to decide on.
Faelnar said majority of the 80 barangay captains who are members of the ABC don’t want barangay elections in 2007.
Jakosalem said it would be good to scrap the next elections so National Government can save the billions of pesos needed for it.
“Ideally, the term should be at least four years because a lot of ideas that you want to implement comes in the first two years and when the third year comes, you’ll be too focused on the election campaign to implement your plans. The time spent thinking of the elections is really a waste,” said Jakosalem.
Chance
Councilor Pesquera said government has to spend for elections to make sure the people are given a chance to replace their officials.
Though serving her last term, Pesquera said she is not in favor of extending their term by canceling the elections, saying officials cannot stay longer than their prescribed term.
PB Member Jose Ma. Gastardo, however, said the country needs to take “drastic measures” to get out of the predicament it is in.
Gastardo also does not see how any question on morality regarding the issue, saying it is normal for people to oppose change.
Almirante agreed, saying, “There’s nothing immoral about it.”
Earlier, former Cebu governor and Concom commissioner Pablo Garcia tried to block the proposal, saying it is immoral for officials to approve something that will benefit only them.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Rep. Simeon Kintanar also expressed support for the Concom proposal.
Garcia said officials should focus on developing the country. Kintanar also said what we need is progress, and not elections.
(December 19, 2005 issue)
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