a week later. update...
By Bohol Chronicle
The "gavel" stalled the legal return of the ex-officio seat from Cogon Barangay Captain Philipp Besas to the original Liga ng mga Barangay president Faro Cabalit from Taloto.
The majority bloc of the Sangguniang Panlungsod had apparently exhausted all the alibis to postpone the session already that it was then the turn of the "gavel"
When the minority block had drafted the resolution recognizing the return of Cabalit, the majority bloc resorted to different tactics just to cause the delay or postponement of the sessions in the past weeks in an effort to avoid tackling the issue.
Last Friday, the Sangguniang Panlungsod finally calendared the resolution of Councilor Anne Mariquit Oppus recognizing the return of Liga ng mga Barangay-Tagbilaran Chapter president Faro Cabalit from barangay Taloto as the duly recognized ex-officio member of Sangguniang Panlungsod.
However, Councilor Doni Piquero expressed objection to the approval of the resolution, citing the permanent injunction on Cabalit’s return being sought by Cogon Barangay Captain Philipp Besas.
Piquero said the SP should hold any discussion of the resolution on the return of Cabalit pending court decision on the request for permanent injunction filed before the Makati Regional Trial Court.
He said the court is expected to come up with the promulgation on the case by December 17.
The Makati RTC already conducted the first hearing on the case last November 12.
Oppus moved to divide the house as to how to treat her resolution.
In support to Piquero’s argument, Montes explained in her lengthy response that the SP must respect and not pre-empt what would the Makati RTC’s ruling on the issue.
Piquero then moved for the adjournment of the session.
Without waiting for the motion to be seconded, Montes immediately pounded the and walked out of the session hall.
Councilor Bebiano Inting expressed objection to the adjournment, but Montes ignored him as she proceeded to leave the session hall.
This shocked the minority bloc who had been pushing for Cabalit’s return, and figured out later that it was actually a "walk-out" by Montes.
On the other hand, Mayor Dan Lim reportedly ordered City Treasurer Kurt Adolph Bongabong to hold the release of the salary of the LnB president as SP ex-officio member amid the controversy.
According to the mayor, it is not yet certain who between Cabalit and Besas should get the pay as the official representative of the LnB in the SP.
However, Besas disclosed that he had been receiving the salary intended for ex-officio member assuming the position as LnB president of the city chapter since December 2011 when he was chosen by majority of the barangay captains to replace Cabalit in the controversial election.
The majority bloc has been wrestling against the latest indorsement (3rd) of the National Barangay Operations Office of the Department of Interior and Local Government sent to DILG-7 Regional Director Ananias M. Villacorta, endorsing for appropriate action the return of Cabalit to his seat snatched from him ten months ago in alleged farce election.
Besas replaced Cabalit in an assailed election held December 14, 2011.
Tagbilaran City Local Government Operations officer Mardonio T. Roxas, confirmed that the DILG indorsement was already forwarded to the SP headed by Montes, for the council's guidance and information.
The DILG indorsement for Cabalit's return is expected to be implemented before Nov. 13, 2012.
This schedule had been taken over by the hearing on the sought permanent injunction at the Makati RTC on November 12.
The SP failed to hold session on November 9 for lack of quorum when none among the majority bloc showed up.
In the preceding session, the SP, acting as committee of the whole, did not accommodate Cabalit until the receipt of an official communication from the National Liga Executive Board allowing Cabalit to sit again as ex-officio member of the city council.
The League of Barangays National Executive Board Resolution No. 05-000075 had confirmed an earlier resolution from LnB Region 7 declaring that Cabalit shall continue to hold office as the Liga chapter president of Tagbilaran City.
The National Liga confirmed the findings that due process was not given to Cabalit, thus the compliance of the formal requisites for the removal and vacancy of the office as provided in the Liga Constitution and By-Laws being absent, he is not deemed removed from office.
Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay federated president Crispina Vergara, said the LnB National Executive Board order was expected and Cabalit will finally return to his former post. Cabalit, who is the punong barangay of Taloto, was unseated last January after the city council recognized Cogon barangay chairman Besas as the new city chapter president based on the December 2011 elections.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=59025.0