By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
QUITE intriguing!
It’s all about the earnest desire of Mayor Albee Benitez to hire the three incumbent top executives of the provincial government of Negros Occidental as his consultants sans cost consideration from the city.
Surprisingly, the mayor’s wish was “jammed” by Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s (SP) committee on laws, ordinances and good government, on Sept. 14.
Al simply didn’t submit the mayor’s request to the SP for the usual voting procedure. He just returned such to the Office of the Mayor and made his personal recommendation for a bilateral agreement between the city and province instead.
This, however, didn’t sit well with the mayor. In an official press statement on Sept. 15, he stressed he’ll resubmit his request to the SP.
The word “resubmit” spells lots of interpretations and misinterpretations, thereby, causing the newest fuss in the city.
‘STATE OF DISBELIEF’
Now, what’s the bone of contention here?
Mayor Albee wants to hire the following as city’s consultants:
* Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II, provincial administrator, as the city’s consultant on administrative matters and system review
* Dr. Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral, chief of hospital of the Teresita Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital, as the city’s consultant on hospital concerns
* Lucille Gelvolea, head of the province’s Economic Enterprise Development Division (EEDD), as the city’s consultant on special concerns and economic affairs
* Valerie Ann Hollero, former PhilHealth-6 regional vice president, as the city’s consultant on health care and health insurance
The quartet’s services to the city, of course, will be pro-bono (for free) and gratis et amore (labor of love) to avoid conflict of interest (COI) and double compensation issues.
Mayor Albee’s very purpose: tap their expertise in helping the city. He said these capitol execs won’t “step on” the line of functions of the city’s department heads. Rather, they’ll just act as advisers.
Thinking that he has the majority number in the SP, Mayor Albee told the media he’s confident his request for consultants will expressly be granted.
Of the four, however, Al’s committee only presented to the SP Hollero’s item. ‘Twas approved.
The three others’ case is hanging, leaving Mayor Albee almost in the “state of disbelief”.
But Al’s defense: Both the city and the province are almost of the same category, thus, only a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for this purpose is needed.
“Al’s not yet on the level to suggest such. It’s the chief executive’s prerogative,” Atty. Diaz quipped.
Left with no choice, Mayor Albee moved to parry media’s “invasive questioning” on what went wrong, considering that Al is one among his “fave” political allies.
CRACK ON THE WALL?
Prior to this “consultancy brouhaha” there was already “political friction”.
Al recommended the immediate axing of Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) chief, Police Maj. Junji Liba.
Discontentment on Liba’s performance was Al’s prime claim.
But Mayor Albee “unheeded” Al’s wish, so, Liba stays.
Here’s another: the mayor’s cease and desist order (CDO) against the ongoing embankment with slope protection works in Banago by Home Invest Ventures, Inc. (HIVI).
Al was the “lead crusader” in securing the Resolution of No Objection (RONO) at the city council for such a development in Banago primed as the second reclamation project in the city.
But the mayor, on Sept. 9, stressed, “There’s a need to verify the classification of the property involved whether the activities being conducted in the area complied with application regulations on the particular class of land, as may be deemed by the DENR and government agencies.”
‘CHESS’
In the game of chess, the Pawn’s basic role is always to protect the King.
In this particular case, Albee’s the “King” and Al’s the pawn.
The best way to save the King is to castle early. After which, the Pawn should only move after careful consideration.
Al should have known the “basics” in chess. indirectly saying no to the King’s request is tantamount to projecting his kingdom in a “shambolic” condition.
I am hoping though that the current “mess” would be mended.
If Mayor Albee believes that hiring Capitol execs as consultants necessitates the fulfillment of his fervent desire to make real CHANGE in Bacolod, why not grant it? After all, it’s for free. There’s nothing to lose./PN
