Saturday, November 03, 2007 Opposition questions role of ‘Council of Elders’
THE Mandaue City Council has questioned the role of Mayor Jonas Cortes’ “council of elders,” saying the group has no authority over City Hall officials.
The council of elders is a group of retired officials and prominent figures in the city regularly convened by the mayor to discuss important issues involving the city.
Some of its members are retired judge Lorenzo Paradiang, Zoilo Cortes, Guadalupe Cabahug-Latonio, Anita Cabahug-Trasmonte, engineer Vitaliano Tacudin and retired Schools Division superintendent Susana Cabahug.
Cortes said the council of elders is just an advisory group, adding that he still decides for the City.
Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna and some councilors reacted when they learned that the group had summoned city officials to their meeting to answer some queries.
“They are practically operating and exercising authority over our officers without being accountable to the City and to the people,” said Fortuna.
Regular meetings
Fortuna said the group creates a semblance of authority when it calls, in one of its regular meetings, a city official to explain something.
He cited the time when the group asked Schools Division Superintendent Serena Uy to vacate the Mandaue Comprehensive National High School annex and transfer to the main campus.
Recent issues that the group was involved in included the park demolition and the Mandaue City College.
Initial phase
Cortes explained that he organized the council following a Department of Interior and Local Government “advice,” which the mayor did not specify, that newly elected mayors may form a transition team to assist in the initial phase of his administration.
He said the role of the council of elders is only to give recommendations on some matters.
Also, they are not getting paid for their services.
Cortes said he may agree or disagree with the council’s recommendation.
“The final decision is still mine,” the mayor said. (OCP)
