ILOILO CITY, July 22 (PA) -– Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog maintains the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of the local government here, saying the hearing conducted by the city council is an intrusion to the jurisdiction of another co-equal branch of the city government.
But for the spirit of transparency of his administration and due courtesy to the invitation sent by the SP but not to subject them to neither investigation nor inquiry, the city mayor allows several department heads to shed light on the procurement and installation of nine traffic lights in busy street junctions of the city.
In a letter sent July 21 to the city council, the city mayor zeroed in on the jurisdiction and legal basis of the SP committee hearing, saying there is no provision in the local government code that empowers the Sanggunian or its committee to conduct an investigation or inquiry over another co-equal branch of the government even if in the guise of “in aid of legislation”.
Hence, to proceed with the SP investigation is an ultra vires act, Mabilog stressed.
However, SP committee on good government chair Jason Gonzales said the city council needs answers to allege overpriced streetlights and invited a total of 20 persons including eight department heads to appear at the city council session hall on Tuesday, July 21 at 2PM to explain on the streetlight project.
Gonzales said the hearing will focus on only three issues that include procurement process, pricing of the items and public consultation.
Present during the hearing were city councilors Gonzales, Plaridel Nava, Joshua Alim, Lyndon Acap, Rodel Fullon Agado, Armand Parcon, Lady Julie Grace Baronda, and Nielex Tupas.
Officers of city transportation organizations and representatives of some government agencies were also present during the hearing.
However, Nava pointed out that contractor Triune Electronics System failed to install all four streetlights provided in the contract by installing only in the junctions of Delgado Infante, Delgado Jalandoni and Delgado Mabini and not in Delgado Valeria. (PNA)