Majority Bloc justifies no-show, no-quorum and change of venue of scheduled SP’s regular sessions in Calbayog City

By EMY C. BONIFACIO, Samar News.com
August 3, 2011

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  The internal rules of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Samar provide that its regular sessions will be held every Thursday of the week at exactly 10:00 in the morning at the Provincial Capitol Building, Catbalogan City.

However, for almost a year now, the usual scene on Thursdays at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall could either be a no-show, a no-quorum or a change of venue for these scheduled sessions.

“These Board Members have been remiss of their duties and responsibilities. It’s quite disappointing that they are getting paid regularly, yet they do not deliver what is expected of them”, are just a few of the adverse reactions that is being heard from Samar constituents who hope that these Board Members would stop politicking, forget their own interests and start working for the people who have given them the mandate to serve.

For quite a time, the majority bloc who are mostly coming from the 1st District of Samar, were blamed, but they remained silent. However, in a regular session held recently, the legislators from the opposition have broke their silence calling for the Samarnons to listen to what they consider are the real circumstances.

Hon. Jasper Sumagang, in a formal motion, manifested for the holding of the succeeding August 4 regular session in Calbayog City. He cited as its legal basis, the Internal Rules of the Legislative Council that allows the transfer of venue of the next session for as long as it is agreed upon by the Body and it will be within the jurisdictional area of any of the two Legislative Districts in Samar.

On the other hand, Hon. Eunice Babalcon’s defense dwells on the practicality issue when Hon. Juan Latorre demanded for the citing of a factual reason for the transfer of the session’s venue and jokingly manifested that the next session after Calbayog City be held in Daram.

“We know that there is a legal basis, but, what about practicality? That should be what is supposed to be raised by Hon. Latorre, the practicality of going to Calbayog City considering that it has distance, a relative distance from Catbalogan City. But, nonetheless, Mr. Chair, may I just tell you that notwithstanding that this representation has been deprived of their fuel allowance, gasoline allowances and other members are being given their fuel allocations, their casual allocations and all other perks of the Sagguniang Panlalawigan, I will go there to Calbayog City to support that proposed resolution because we know for a fact that it is our duty to bring the government closer to our people” explains Babalcon.

Hon. Conejos revealed that since the assumption of the Tans, they have been deprived of their fuel allowances, cellphone cards, office supplies and traveling allowances. Conejos explained that such funds are provided in the Miscellaneous and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) for every department and the office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is not exempted from such provision.

“Even if the budget is reenacted, there is that MOOE where our privileges can be sourced out, but they are the ones who control the signing and they are doing it purposely to satisfy their whims and caprices,” affirms Conejos.

“May I ask you, what makes Hon Latorre or Soza or Nacario distinct from any of the members in the council? They get brand new vehicles, di ba? Why are they so privileged? Tama gad liwat hiya nga you should not feed your enemies, but they are the ones who declared that we are enemies. We never declared that we are enemies. Mayda la kami mga differences because that’s part of democracy.” was Hon. Babalcon’s adverse reaction to Hon. Latorre’s quick statement in one of the media ambush interviews, saying “Why feed the enemies?”

Hon. Sermense even commented to Hon. Latorre’s note as uncalled for and an uncivilized one. “That is political cannibalism”, says Sermense.

An inquiry into the budget allocations for the Sanggunaing Panlalawigan would show that even under a reenacted budget, items were provided for fuel, cell card, travel and salaries/wages for the staff of each and every Board Member. However, the majority claims that they have not been receiving any of those privileges since July 2010. The wages of their staff are likewise provided in the 2010 budget. All other pro-administration Board members continue to receive checks for their supplies and travels. A total amount of P2.8 million for traveling allowances was disclosed.

Once and for all, the majority Board members reminded the Tans that the Provincial Budget is not only for the administration allies.

“The Provincial Budget contains public money. Public Office is a public trust and all these offices emanate from the people. All these money are sourced from people’s taxes. Thus, all government authority emanates from the people. If you will check on the budget allocations, it is intended for the Office of the Governor, Office of the Vice Governor, Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan., etc. It is intended for the offices concerned and not just for one person” justifies Conejos.