Political rivalry in Talisay City at an ‘impasse’

Mayor Johnny de los Reyes defers release of City Council’s legislative assistance fund

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante reminds mayor that the move might affect the approval of the latter’s proposed first supplemental budget

IT SEEMS hostilities between Talisay City’s executive and legislative departments are far from over.

Mayor Johnny de los Reyes deferred the firstquarter release of the City Council’s legislative assistance fund (LAF) worth P4.8 million.

The LAF allows city councilors, including the vice mayor, to have P1.5 million each to fund projects in the barangays.

In this year’s annual budget, the City allocated around P11 million for the LAF.

In an interview with reporters yesterday, de los Reyes said he is not convinced the council is sincere in supporting his programs.

De los Reyes’ deferral of the release of the LAF was made despite initial agreements during a dialogue with provincial officials for an end to political hostilities in the City.

The mayor said the executive department has been making do with what remains of its budget since the council made significant slashes in his budget.

He admitted that he is still “sore” from how his proposed P1-billion budget for 2015 was cut to P539 million, while the budget for basic services remains the same.

No budget

In a separate interview, Budget Officer Edgar Mabunay said the City needed to defer the release of the LAF since it has yet to realize its projected income for this year.

Mabunay said the LAF’s implementation is expected to be in the second or third quarter of the year.

But Mabunay clarified that even though de los Reyes is the signatory for the LAF’s release, he cannot realign funds to other projects without authority from the council.

Council members said they plan to summon Mabunay in their next session for clarification on the LAF.

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante said the nonrelease of the LAF violated the initial “ceasesfire” agreement between the mayor and the council.

Villarante reminded de los Reyes that the move might affect the approval of his proposed first supplemental budget.