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Thursday, February 23, 2006
Maxey: A house divided
By Ram Maxey
Bar None
EVEN as rescue teams labor night and day searching for survivors and retrieving bodies in the aftermath of the landslide that devastated a farming barangay in the town of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, life has to go on in the rest of the country regardless.
For instance, in Davao City, most of the members of the City Council are traveling by bus as you read this on their way to a three-day "legislative planning" retreat at the Monastery of the Transfiguration in the province of Bukidnon. They are expected back on February 25.
I said "most" of the members because six out of the 26 councilors had earlier signified their intention not to join what they say is a useless and extravagant exercise.
The six, who form the council's minority group and self-proclaimed "conscience bloc" are Victorio S. Advincula, Diosdado A. Mahipus, Nilo G. Abellera, Danilo C. Dayanghirang, Pilar C. Braga and Paz C. Mata.
In Wednesday's regular session of the council, Mahipus had asked presiding officer Vice Mayor Luis C. Bonguyan that members of the minority be allowed to conduct its own legislative planning at the City Council building. That way it would be more convenient for them to invite other officials from other government offices whose functions have relevance to the legislative planning session.
The suggestion underscores the public image of the City Council as a house divided. One of the reasons behind the holding of legislative planning is the expectation that such an exercise will contribute to "bonding" among the council members, presumably a logical step towards better camaraderie, hence more meaningful legislation in an atmosphere of brotherly love.
If that were to be realized, what a great accomplishment it would be. Perish the thought. That's because this house divided is marked by cordial hostility, or hostile cordiality. Take your pick.
How can the two groups reconcile their so-called "legislative planning" if they do it separately, one holding session in downtown Davao that's also attended by invitees (transparency, according to Mahipus) while the other and much bigger group conducts its own sessions just among themselves in seclusion and away from prying eyes?
One of the reasons Advincula is not going along on the trip was the decision to make the long distance trip aboard a bus. "That's ridiculous," he fumed. "The government bought each of us a million-peso government car for our use and we are not going to use it for official functions? Unsa man na (how's that)?
Advincula then said a mouthful. "Planning is for organizations but not for politicians. How can we bond with each other? How can people who have no confidence and trust in each other bond together?"
Good question.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (February 23, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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