BACOLOD City-Two members of the city council in this city are in “word war” following that Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. accused Councilor Archie Baribar of allegedly suspending the scheduled public hearing of the latter.
On March 8, Gamboa conducted a public hearing about Resolution No. 82 that was passed in the Sanggunian last month, as stated,” a resolution requesting an explanation from the management of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative(CENECO) on the local tax imposed on its member-consumer-owners starting January 2022 billings.
According to Gamboa, while he was already in the venue of the public hearing[Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall] he was informed to suspend the scheduled public hearing by alleging that Baribar is behind the cancellation.
Gamboa claimed,” that there was no official notice from the Sangguniang Panglungsod Secretariat that was received by him or the stakeholders invited to the hearing.”
“The public hearing did not go ahead because the secretariat informed me to suspend upon the intervention of Baribar, which prevented the public hearing,” Gamboa said.
He added, “Ano man labot ni Baribar man?Kay mato mato sya nga e gin pa suspend nya ang amo nga public hearing.”
“I would want Baribar to explain this nagpabalo nako sa SP nga mahatag ako sang privilege speech,” Gamboa also said.
On his part, Baribar said he was surprised that there was a public hearing on the resolution that was already approved by the council.
He never denies or confirms that he ordered the suspension of the public hearing.
“I was shocked to have a public hearing, and why would I be the one to stop that. Let’s just be clear, I am the chairman of the SP Committee on energy, “Baribar said.
He explained that the city council has existing Internal Rules to follow.
Based on Rule 4 of the Internal Rules, Baribar explained that a public hearing on ordinances and resolutions shall be conducted by the referred committee.
He said on Rule 6, section 3 of the Internal Rules it cited also that only the committee chair shall convene.
Ano ang iya authority sang pag hold sang public hearing,? Baribar asked.
Baribar said he will propose a resolution to create an investigating body to investigate relating to this matter.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran reminds the members of the city council that they have Internal Rules to follow, so make a review first before doing any activity that involves the Sangguniang./PN
