Council fails to override Tomas’ ordinance veto
We really need this ordinance to make a statement that Cebu City supports transparency and public disclosure.
For failing to achieve at least a two-thirds vote, the Cebu City Council has failed to override the veto of Mayor Tomas Osmeña on the proposed Freedom of Information Ordinance.
During yesterday’s regular session, Councilor Jose Daluz III, who authored the draft legislation, moved to overrule the mayor’s veto.
“We really need this ordinance to make a statement that Cebu City supports transparency and public disclosure,” he said.
But minority bloc councilors Alvin Arcilla and Sisinio Andales objected to Daluz’s motion, resulting to a division of the house.
Those who voted in favor of the motion to override were Team Rama councilors Jerry Guardo, Joel Garganera, Raymond Alvin Garcia, Jocelyn Pesquera, James Anthony Cuenco, Daluz, Eduardo Rama and Pastor Alcover Jr.
Aside from Arcilla and Andales, those who voted against the motion were councilors Mary Ann de los Santos, Dave Tumulak, Joy Augustus Young and Margarita Osmeña.
Councilors Nendell Hanz Abella, Eugenio Gabuya Jr. and ex-officio Philip Zafra were absent in yesterday’s session.
In his veto message dated January 25, Mayor Osmeña said that while he recognized the public’s constitutional right to information, the City Government should first wait for Senate Bill 1733 or the FOI bill to be passed.
He earlier said that while he vetoed the measure, he is in favor of promoting transparency in government.
Osmeña then said that the executive department can draft an executive order similar to Daluz’s ordinance.
The FOI, which was passed by the Council in December last year, seeks to implement full disclosure and transparency in public service and uphold constitutional rights to information on matters of public concern.