Major make-over on Capitol SP Internal Rules triggers in-house battle
A total of seventeen major provisions of the Internal Rules in the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) face major amendments. Yet even before it was presented before the body, an objection posed triggered what seemingly appeared as an in-house battle among board members present.
This, as the Committee on Rules, Privileges, Ethics and Accountability concluded its report calling for the revision and its corresponding approval.
In a 15-paged report obtained by The News Today (TNT), first to be amended is the composition of the officers of the Iloilo SP. From five, the number is down to two with changes proposed on the Majority Floor Leader into "Floor Leader."
"The modification of Majority Floor Leader into Floor Leader and deletion of the Minority Floor Leader allows any Sanggunian member to be elected as Floor Leader regardless of party affiliation. The positions of Assistant Majority Floor Leader and Assistant Minority Floor Leader were likewise deleted for reasons herein subsequently stated," excerpts of the first revision went.
The Vice Governor is still the regular Presiding Officer while the Floor Leader shall now be elected by the majority of all the members of the SP.
Amendments too in the duties and responsibilities "for purposes of semantical accuracy," alongside memberships of the board members in various SP committees.
Other concerns also addressed in the new Internal Rules include the issue on quorum, vacancy in posts, voting guidelines and procedure of Motions.
On the matter of Composition and Reorganization of the SP Committees, timeliness was the main concern thus all re-organization "may be allowed only after one (1) year from its constitution and by two-thirds (2/3) votes of all sanggunian members."
Among the signatories of the Committee Report were First District Board Member Richard Garin, committee chair, Second District Board Member Rodolfo Cabado, committee vice chair, Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr and Fourth District Board Member George Demaisip.
Yet in a belated development, Cabado withdrew his signature while lamenting what he said were changes made in the final draft minus his consent.
"With great reluctance and heavy heart, I pose my objection," Cabado began his lengthy explanation. Such as he went on to tell his colleagues the effort he put in to help draft the needed revisions. Cabado said nothing substantial were initially made saying it was only him and Vice Governor Rolex Suplico who appeared interested in the provisions of the Internal Rules.
"It was only me and Vice Governor Suplico who took interest and we explained notes… until I said that the draft was a go," Cabado explained. Problems began, he continued, when it was brought to the Committee proper for final check.
Cabado's objection was based on what he termed were "substantial amendments and that it boiled down to him "having been tricked into signing (the Committee Report)."
In a rebuttal, Garin pointed out the signatures of the majority members of the Committee that then had the expressed withdrawal of Cabado on his earlier signature.
"In all good faith, I signed it… relying on his representation (referring to Garin)," Cabado ended.
In the end, the provincial board resorted to a nominal votation to settle the issue, where the "Yes" vote prevailed over the "No" vote with the count of 8-4, respectively.
Those who voted "No" for the amendment of the internal rules were board members Cabado, Shalene Palmares-Hidalgo, June Mondejar and Angel Briones.
Cabado in closing the votes stood up and offered a toast saying it is a toast for the minority for them being the educated ones.