BACOLOD City – The members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here have designated Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson as acting floor leader following the reported suspension of Councilor Al Victor Espino.
As of this writing, Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Puentevella confirmed that his office has not yet received any official written communication or document from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regarding Espino’s reported suspension.
However, Puentevella acknowledged that a verbal communication was made through a phone call by DILG City Director Christian Nagaynay, informing him of the said suspension. The vice mayor said they were told that the DILG has yet to receive the physical copy of the suspension order from the Office of the Ombudsman.
During the regular session of the City Council on Wednesday, October 22, which Espino did not attend, the SP approved a motion designating Sayson to take over Espino’s committee assignment as floor leader while the latter serves the reported suspension.
Espino’s chairmanships of the Committees on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, and on Education were temporarily assigned to Councilors Atty. Caesar Distrito and Homer Bais, respectively.
Puentevella said the reassignment of the committees aims to ensure the continuous and efficient operations of the SP pending the official receipt of the order or notice from the DILG.
“The committees chaired by Councilor Espino were assigned to existing standing members of the City Council and approved by the SP. This measure was done solely to prevent any disruption in legislative work and to safeguard the delivery of basic public services to our constituents,” the vice mayor explained.
He also assured the public that the Office of the Vice Mayor upholds due process, transparency, and adherence to proper procedures at all times to maintain impartiality.
“We will wait for further orders or issuances from the DILG and the Office of the Ombudsman,” Puentevella stressed./PN
