Friday, July 27, 2007 Only 2 committees each for Jonas allies
COUNCILORS allied with Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes were given only one committee chairmanship each, while the opposition bloc ruling the council holds as many as four committee chairmanships each, mostly the “juicy committees.”
But when nominated as chairman of the committee on human rights, administration Councilor Jimmy Lumapas declined.
“Dili ako abogado, engineering graduate ako, (I’m not a lawyer but an engineering graduate)” said Lumapas after the session.
The chairmanship was then given to Councilor Diosdado Suico, also with the administration. He is also the chairman of the committee on foreign relations.
“Ang nindot nga committee tua nila, ang ako usa ra ka committee, non-functioning pa, (They got all the good committees and I was given only one, and a non-functioning one at that),” said Lumapas, referring to human rights committee.
Lumapas and Suico are both allied with Cortes. The rest of the councilors and Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna are supporters of former mayor Thadeo Ouano, whose son Jonkie ran but lost to Cortes in the last election.
Joy Ouano
Joy Ouano, who sits as president of the Association of Barangay Councils, heads the committee on barangay affairs. SK President Christabel Cuizon is chairperson of the youth and sports development committee.
Lumapas described oppositions’ committees as “juicy.”
Majority Floor Leader Victor Biaño is the chairman of four active committees: the committee on laws and ordinances, committee on rules and privileges, committee on games and amusement and committee on NGO and PO accreditation.
Four opposition councilors hold three committee chairmanships each; while their three allies hold two committees each.
Councilor Emiliano Rosal is the chairman of the committees on appropriations and budget; transportation, communication and public utilities; and good government.
Councilor Procopio Villa-nueva is the committee head of the committee on city properties and assets, as well as the committees on energy and environment Protection.
Councilor Editha Cabahug holds the planning and development; socialized housing; and women and family.
The council also formed the committee on appointment and separation as part of the standing committees, with Councilor Noeleen Borbajo as the chair. Borbajo is also the head of the committees on education and culture and tourism.
The committee on appointment and separation, which handles retrenchment and hiring of employees, was formed to “prevent wanton dismissal of qualified employees and hiring of new ones for political reasons.”
Borbajo’s vice chairman is Suico, an ally of the mayor.
Fortuna is also chairman of the committee on labor, employment, livelihood and manpower development, as well as the police, fire and penology. (OCP)
