THE conflict between the Talisay City Council and City Administrator John Yre De los Reyes reached its peak, with the legislative body declaring him persona non grata.
During their regular session last Wednesday, the council approved a resolution authored by Councilor Aldin Diaz that sought to declare the son of Mayor Johnny De los Reyes as “persona non grata” for allegedly lambasting them on his block-time program over radio DyRC and in social media.
Sought for comment, De los Reyes threatened to file charges against the City Council for alleged abuse of authority.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7, however, said that the resolution declaring John Yre persona non grata doesn’t have the “force and effect” of a law.
In his resolution, Aldin Diaz wants the mayor’s son to be declared as “unwelcomed” after John Yre allegedly used his block-time program and his Facebook page to make up negative stories against the councilors.
In an interview, Diaz claimed that John Yre included their families in his tirades.
Diaz said that as the mayor’s alter-ego, the younger De los Reyes should have shown professionalism and proper conduct as a public official.
Diaz cited Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), which states that “public officials and employees shall endeavor to discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as dispenser or peddlers of undue patronage.”
Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante said that the council’s majority bloc approved Diaz’ resolution because they too were affected by John Yre’s alleged character attacks.
Except for the mayor’s allies, Councilors Dennis Basillote and Valeriano Ylanan, who objected the move, the rest of the 11 councilors have voted for it.
In a text message to Sun.Star Cebu, John Yre described the resolution as “politically motivated.”
“All I can say it’s all about politics. And such action is unreasonable and irrelevant. It is a clear abuse of authority. Thus, the action made by the council is unconstitutional and without basis,” De los Reyes said.
In a separate interview, DILG 7 Legal Officer Aiza Fiel Nogra said the City Council’s resolution was merely a “pure expression of sentiment.”
She, however, pointed out that if the resolution declaring John Yre “persona non grata” would curtail or infringe his basic political and civil rights, the city administrator can challenge the resolution in a proper forum.
This was not the first time that the City Council has called the attention of the mayor’s son.
Last year, the Talisay City Council passed a resolution requesting the mayor to call his son’s attention for using his Facebook page in questioning the councilors’ plans and programs for the city.