COUNCIL WANTS CONSULTATION ON MEASURE VS. ‘POLITICAL BUTTERFLIES’

A PUBLIC hearing has been set on the proposed ordinance that intends to impose penalties on “political butterflies” in the Cebu City Council, or those who transfer to other parties in the middle of their term.

City Councilor Sisinio Andales, chairman of the committee on laws, said approving the ordinance is within the council’s authority but stakeholders should be consulted before its approval.

“Considering the foregoing, this committee finds the proposed ordinance to be within the power of this August Body to enact. However, this committee recommends to hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance to hear the sentiments of all stakeholders,” a portion of the committee’s report read.

The public hearing is set on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

Councilor Renato Osmeña Jr. authored the measure “An Ordinance imposing administrative sanctions on the elective members of the City Council who switch political party affiliation or political aggrupation within their term of office.”

He aims to preserve the councilors’ loyalty to their respective parties.

The City Council is dominated by the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan allies, including Andales.

They outnumber Barug Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP)-Lain ban members.

Osmeña, a Barug member, wants his fellow councilors to stand by their principles and platforms even when they do not belong to the ruling party.

His measure, he said, aims to discourage councilors from joining the party of the administration during elections.

The reelected councilor’s proposed ordinance does not cover appointed or ex-officio members of the council, including the presidents of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation and the Association of Barangay Councils.

A politician whose party is dissolved is also spared from any sanction.

The proposed ordinance also does not label a politician as a political butterfly if his party merges with another party to form a coalition. /