Tacloban lawmakers still performing their duties

TACLOBAN CITY – Despite some members of the city council were not able to made a perfect attendance in the regular sessions held last year, Vice-Mayor Arvin Antoni said that they are still performing their duties to the people of Tacloban.

Antoni stressed that physical performance should not be the only standard in judging members of the city council if they perform well with their duties but also their performances in legislative works.

Based on the records of the Sangguniang Panlungsod secretary, only two members of the legislative body of the city were able to post with perfect attendance.

These were Antoni and radio commentator-turn- politician Councilor Neil Glova, while the councilor with the most number of absences was first-time city council member Jeric Dane Granados who was only present 22 times out of 43 regular sessions.

“We should not base our conclusion and judgment with how our council members are performing physically but we must also judge them in their performances during session period,” said Antoni.

“Let us go beyond physical attendance… we are still able to pass ordinances and study different contracts that the city government is planning to enter into, which means we are still performing,” Antoni added.

Moreover, in the issue of physical attendance, Antoni stressed that there were several reasons why a council member was absent in their regular session which the secretariat of the city council were informed.

“It could be on official travel or leave,” said Antoni.

“But we must also check if who among these council members posted with number of absences,” Antoni added.

“We know what kind of tragedy happened to the family of Councilor Granados and to the family of Councilor Uy… we should understand their situation,” Antoni stressed.

Granados’ father was shot and killed while Uy wife died last year due to cancer.

Meanwhile, Councilor Jerry Yaokasin, who committed two absences out of 43 regular session last year, said even with the loss of his father last year, he decided to continue attending their regular session.

“I need to make a stand in certain issues and if I will not attend the sessions, I cannot do it,” Yaokasin said, adding that it was the obligation that he had promised to the people of Tacloban as their councilor.