City Council revamp: BO-PK allies to head committees

THE Cebu City Council will soon reorganize its committees to make sure that important ones will be led by Bando Osmeña -Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) allies.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said they could not give opposition councilors Edgar Labella, Jose Daluz III, Edu Rama Jr. and Ronald Cuenco the opportunity to use their influence for political gains.

“We have to look at the important committees and see if this is prone to politics. Those committees should not be used politically. If they will do that, we will have to hold on to those committees,” he said.

Even resolutions and ordinances sponsored by the four councilors, who recently came out to identify themselves with the reelection bid of Mayor Michael Rama, will be scrutinized.

Labella is the council’s majority floor leader and chairman of the laws and ordinances committee.

Councilor Augustus Pe Jr., his first assistant majority floor leader, is next in line.

Daluz, the assistant majority floor leader, heads the agriculture committee.

Rama heads the public services commitee while Cuenco heads the health committee.

Labella himself asked the council on Wednesday to reorganize and select a new majority floor leader, saying he could no longer function as one because of lack of trust by his colleagues.

He, however, said he could not resign as majority floor leader because the council’s house rules do not allow it. He can only be replaced through reorganization.

Labella said he would not mind being stripped of his chairmanship of the laws committee.

Labella is in his third and final term as councilor. He has officially declared to run for vice mayor in tandem with Mayor Rama for the 2013 election.

They will be running against Rep. Tomas Osmeña and Vice Mayor Young.

Young said Labella’s declaration on the need to be replaced was already tantamount to his resignation as majority floor leader.

He said he did not tell Labella what he needs to do because he respects their friendship and former alliance.

“I do not want them to feel insulted,” the vice mayor said.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, who is also a lawyer, is the likely replacement to head the committee on laws where he is vice chairman.

Young said they have initially discussed the reorganization.

He said he expects more discussion early next week before they convene for next Wednesday’s regular session./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac