Councilor shrugs off concerns over SP not having new internal rules
Much ado about nothing.
This was how veteran Iloilo City councilor Perla Zulueta branded concerns expressed by several members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod over the so-called delay in the city council's adoption of a new set of Internal Rules of Procedure.
"I don't know why it's such a big deal for them. For me, it's a complete non-issue. Not having adopted a new set of internal rules doesn't prevent us councilors from performing our duties and responsibilities as members of the city legislature," said the "Iron Lady of the City Council" when asked to comment on statements made recently by Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog expressing concern over the SP Committee on Rules' continued failure to submit the draft of a new set of internal rules for the body's approval.
According to the lady councilor from Molo, Section 50(a) of the Local Government Code of 1991, which refers to Internal Rules of Procedure, states that: "On the first regular session following the election of its members and within ninety days thereafter, the Sanggunian concerned shall adopt or update its existing rules of procedure."
"We started our term last July 1, which means the 90 days that we are allowed to adopt or update our existing rules of procedure would expire at the end of this month. We're only in the first week of September. Why the hurry? I don't see a real pressing need for it," added Zulueta.
According to her, for as long as there is no "earth-shaking changes" that council members would want reflected in their internal rules, "the existing rules of procedure should do for the time being."
"Besides, there were instances when the existing internal rules of procedure are adopted without any change at all. Much of the rules, especially those pertaining to parliamentary procedures, remain the same. For as long as it doesn't hinder us from doing our job, I don't see why we should be worried in not having a new set of internal rules of procedure adopted," she further quipped.