|
Monday, May 08, 2006
Seares: ‘Spreading the butter’
By Pachico A. Seares
News Sense
Do law and the Constitution grant the mayor and the City Council total power in deciding barangay boundary disputes or altering barangay boundaries?
Look at who wields the power and how it is exercised.
In settling boundary feuds, the City Council mediates or holds a trial where it examines the law and the evidence. The losing barangay can appeal to the court.
Thus, neither mayor nor City Council disregards rights of the barangays involved or replaces law and evidence with political judgment. If they do that, they risk a court rebuke.
One can see how that process was tampered with when Mayor Tomas Osmeńa already decided the case against Lahug by “awarding” prime real estate to favored barangays and threatening councilors with a “showdown.”
How can the City Council conduct trials on boundary disputes and still be seen as fair?
Changing boundaries.
On changing boundaries, City Council debates and votes on a proposed ordinance. Voters of feuding barangays then ratify or reject the changes.
It is not city officials alone who decide. Voters ultimately seal the proposal’s fate.
What does that make of the mayor who allocated prize properties as if they were all his to give, as if City Council, public opinion, and affected barangays’ will didn’t matter?
Mayor Tomas said he is just “spreading the butter.” Unfortunately, this butter is not solely his to spread.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 8, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
