By MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City — The decision of Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Talisay to ban video recording during its regular session has no legal basis, said Atty. Guillermo Tejida III of Talisay City Legal Office.
Guillermo said there is no compelling reason to disallow videotaping. He said the implementation is “illegal.”
Last month, the Talisay SP approved Resolution No. 141 requiring prior approval to video tape their session.
The SP passed the resolution afte Ranie Azue, executive assistant to Talisay City mayor, requested some city hall employees to record the SP session.
Tejada defended Azue, stressing what the latter did was done in public.
Furthermore, he said the public has the right to be informed.
Tejada said under the Section 52 (c) of the Local Government Code of 1991, “All sanggunian sessions shall be open to the public unless a closed-door session is ordered by an affirmative vote of majority of the members present, there being a quorum, in the public interest or for reasons of security decency, or morality.”
“The Congress and, in some instance, the Supreme Court allow videotaping of their proceedings as matter of public’s right to know and be informed,” said Tejada./PN
