Antiquiera's proposed rules changes junked
The intention was very clear: to silence' Iloilo City Councilor Perla Zulueta and prevent her from participating in the Sangguniang Panlungsod deliberations the way she had for close to a decade now. What the proponent, Kagawad Eldrid Antiquiera, may have overlooked is the fact that his proposed addition to the Internal Rules of Procedures pertaining to disciplinary measures is actually an insult to the sense of judgment of Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog.
Tension rose and sparks flew once again during last Monday's meeting called by Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo, chairperson of the Committee on Rules, to discuss the proposed changes on the body's internal rules after Antiquiera tried to insert an entire subsection which defines what should constitute disorderly conduct on the part of a member of the Sanggunian.
Zulueta, dubbed the "Iron Lady of the City Council" for her no-holds barred way of participating in the discussions, felt the insertion is meant to target her and restrain her actions during sessions.
"Let's be frank about this--ako bala ang ginapabati-batian mo [am I the one you're referring to here]? Is this intended for me? Am I the target of this additional subsection?" Zulueta asked Antiquiera, who in turn denied constructing the insertion with the lady councilor from Molo in mind.
He went on to say that the reason he made the proposed addition is because there is a need to define what disorderly conduct is "considering that there are penalties provided for in Section 1" of Rule XV pertaining to "Disciplinary Measures."
Zulueta, however, would have none of Antiquiera's "stupid proposals."
"One man's sarcasm could be another man's humor. What is a shout to one man could be a mere whisper to another. I mean, if we are to penalize a member for talking in a loud voice, we should set parameters. How many decibels would qualify as shouting to you?" the veteran lady legislator asked.
Councilor Erwin Plagata, meanwhile, has his own reason for thumbing down Antiquiera's proposed addition to the internal rules.
"If we adopt this proposed insertion, what would it make of Vice Mayor Mabilog? Essentially, it would be like assigning unto ourselves the power and authority of the presiding officer to use his better judgment in declaring a member of the council as out of order. Kuhaon ta poder ang [We would take that prerogative from the] presiding officer," he said, adding, "Why not just leave these matters to his sound judgment?"
"You know what also disturbs me about this? Personally, as an elected councilor of the city of Iloilo, it is demeaning for me to be subjected to these rules. Daw bata kita nga gamay [We're like little children]. The way it is being made to appear, it's as if we've been plucked from the squatters and ended up as city councilors. Like we don't know what's right or wrong, or what conforms to the standards of good morals and right conduct," Plagata further lamented.