The Cebu City Council denied another attempt to lift the deferment of the deliberation of the city government’s P2.8 billion Supplemental Budget 1 (SB1).
In a 9-5 vote, the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) bloc of the council denied the motion of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella calling on the council to act on the SB1.
Labella, who stepped down from the presiding officer’s chair, rose for a privilege speech asking the council to lift the deferment.
He said he was “dismayed and disheartened” when the City Council also denied a previous move to lift the deferment of the SB1 last week.
Labella said the council’s conscience is clear in using the P8.3 billion down payment it received from the developers after the sale of the two South Road Properties (SRP) lots earlier this year.
He said the city should not stop the delivery of basic services just based on the case filed by a “selfish and questionable personality” like Romulo Torres.
Labella said the council should just approve, disapprove or reduce the SB1 rather than defer it or hold it hostage.
Those who voted against the lifting of the deferment were Councilors Margot Osmeña, Sisinio Andales, Alvin Arcilla, Roberto Cabarrubias, Nida Cabrera, Lea Japson, Alvin Dizon, Eugenio Gabuya Jr. and Mary Ann De Los Santos.
Those who voted in favor were Councilors Phillip Zafra, Gerardo Carillo, Dave Tumulak, Hanz Abella and Labella.