OFFICIALS of the Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines Lapu-Lapu City (BCLP) chapter took their oath on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020.

The ceremony took place despite the fact that Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard Chan has questioned the establishment of the association because “it lacks quorum and validity and doesn’t have the approval of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).”

Chan said only 64 of the 210 councilors were present when the group voted on Feb. 10, 2020.

But Association of Barangay Council ABC president Eddie Cuizon said over 100 councilors attended and voted during the election.

The BCLP officials in Lapu-Lapu took their oath before BCLP national president Tito Esperitusanto and Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza.

Chosen president of the association was Arvin Aving of Barangay Maribago.

Esperitusanto said that there is no need for a quorum in choosing an official, because the association has just been established, so anyone who attended could vote.

He used the BCLP in Pasig City as basis, where only eight officials under the administration of Mayor Vico Sotto became members of the association, which has grown to more than 100 members.

There is also no need for the approval of the DILG since it is only an organization and will not sit as ex-official member of the city council, Esperitusanto.

Esperitusanto wonders why building such an organization became an issue when there are similar associations or BCLPs in Cebu and Mandaue City and the same process of the selection of members has been followed.

Esperitusanto said the BCLP in Cebu City was established in 1984.

There are also BCLPs in other parts of the country from Tuguegarao to Davao.

On March 7 another oath-taking ceremony will be held in Davao City by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Esperitusanto said that the purpose of building an association like the BCLP is to assist the City Government in projects and programs that will benefit the people.

SunStar Cebu tried to reach the DILG of Lapu-Lapu City to clarify the issue but no one from the office responded to the calls. (GCM / RSR)