Monday, March 26, 2007 Last-term councilor tops absentees
ON THE homestretch of his third term, Mandaue City Councilor Dionisio Ceniza logged the most number of absences from the City Council sessions last year.
He was present in only 22 of 51 sessions, most of them in the first half of the year. From July to December 2006, Ceniza was present in only four sessions.
Ceniza, who underwent heart bypass in 2003, admitted in an interview that his heart condition has kept him from the council sessions last year.
But he said that even if he stayed at home most of the time, many constituents still went to him for help. He said he worked at home and was kept updated by a secretary.
Doctor’s advice
His son Jefferson even stayed in his cubicle at the City Council office at City Hall to accommodate those who seek his help.
The elder Ceniza is chairman of the committee on social services.
Ceniza said that even if it was against the doctor’s advice, he went to City Hall last week to attend the session.
“The sessions are not the only job of the councilor,” he said.
Like in 2005, Mandaue City Councilor Allan Borbajo logged perfect attendance in the council sessions last year. He was present in all 44 regular sessions and seven special sessions.
Councilor Wenceslao Gakit also logged perfect attendance, although he was away on official business at least 11 times. A councilor is considered present in the session if he is away on official business.
Councilor Glenn Bercede listed only one absence last year.
In at least four instances, no session was held due to lack of quorum.
Gakit had the most number of resolutions and ordinances filed. Gakit, chairman of the committee on budget and finance, authored 25 ordinances and 36 resolutions.
Councilor Carlo Pontico Fortuna, majority floor leader and national president of the Philippine Councilors League, authored 56 measures.
No ordinance
Sanggunian Kabataan Federation President Christabel Cuizon and Councilor Rosita Benabaye didn’t sponsor any resolution or ordinance.
At least 571 resolutions and 40 ordinances were passed last year. About 62 percent of the ordinances were for appropriations while most of the resolutions were for the adoption of reports, and the approving of ordinances on first reading.
Vice Mayor Amadeo Seno Jr. and the councilors had a problem regarding their salaries after the Commission on Audit found that they received overpaid salaries amounting to nearly P7 million as of 2006.
COA records showed Seno got P28,955 instead of P24,359 a month, or an overpayment of P4,596.
The councilors and the ex-officio members received P27,842 instead of P23,422, or an overpayment of P4,420. (AAG)
