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Saturday, August 12, 2006
Editorial: Yeng's call
Good governance stands to gain some ground at the provincial capitol if Vice Governor Joseller "Yeng" Guiao makes good his call on the dare of Provincial Administrator Fidel Arcenas vis-a-vis the Provincial Government's monetization plan.
The vice governor, who has been harping on alleged dubious projects at the Capitol since the day he joined it, has accepted the challenge issued by Arcenas for him to go to court and make a legal case out of his opposition to the plan.
The plan involves getting the province's entitlement from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) equivalent to P70 million advanced payment. But this would cost the province P21 million in interests, meaning only P49 million will be available to the province. That's why it is called monetization, a term described by Guiao as nothing more than just being fancy for lack of an appropriate term.
Guiao has, at least, a couple of legal beef on the matter. One of these is that the plan never went through the provincial development council (PDC) which is required by the Local Government Code. According to Guiao, the PDC has not been convened for many forgettable years now.
The other legal point raised by Guiao is that the P49 million has already been allocated for various projects without the benefit of a public hearing and endorsement by the committee on appropriations.
Last Monday, the Provincial Board approved on second and third reading the controversial plan with Guiao presiding and cautioning his colleagues against undue haste on its approval considering the apparent procedural flaws involved.
Taking the matter to the court is a better way of resolving the legal issues raised than walking out in disgust like Guiao did during a "meeting" on the monetization plan which Guiao thought was a "hearing".
By now, Guiao knows fully well that all his opposition to what he views as questionable projects at the Capitol may be conveniently branded as nothing but plain and simple obstructionism, if not grandstanding, by those he opposed.
There doesn't seem to be anybody in the board who shares or supports his view, at least not openly or officially as to make an impact.
His only hope then, really, is to go to court. And for that, he should thank Arcenas for a timely and wise advice.
Otherwise, he can just shut up.
(August 12, 2006 issue)
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