Alcover seeks DILG probe on Osmeña-Garganera session spat

Local

A PROPOSED review by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) could help clarify questions over parliamentary procedure following a heated confrontation between Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Councilor Joel Garganera during a council session.

Councilor Jun Alcover is seeking an impartial DILG evaluation of the Oct. 13 incident, which erupted while Garganera was delivering a privilege speech on the city’s solid waste management program.

The proposed resolution was included in the agenda for the Cebu City Council’s regular session on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

It also asks the Office of the City Council Secretary to make available the official minutes, session video recording, transcript, and other pertinent records, subject to applicable rules and procedures, to support an objective assessment.

In the resolution, Alcover cited provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which designate the vice mayor as the presiding officer of the city council and provide for internal rules governing legislative proceedings.

The measure emphasized that the presiding officer must maintain order while respecting council members’ rights to participate in deliberations.

It also stressed the importance of parliamentary procedures in preventing unnecessary confrontations and ensuring that elected officials can perform their legislative duties without undue interference.

The proposal does not seek to prejudge the liability of either official. Instead, it calls for an impartial assessment based on official records and available video footage. It also recognizes the council’s authority to enforce its own rules of procedure while asking the DILG to clarify relevant administrative and governance standards within its lawful authority.

The Oct. 13 exchange stemmed from Garganera’s demand for an update on a proposed solution to Cebu City’s garbage problem.

During his privilege speech, Garganera questioned the delay in presenting a comprehensive solid waste management plan with clear targets and timelines. He said 137 days had passed since Osmeña asked for 60 days to develop a proposal.

The discussion became heated when Osmeña interrupted Garganera to insist that he had already completed and submitted a proposal to the council secretary.

Garganera questioned whether the document had reached the council, prompting further exchanges between the two officials.

“Without targets and timelines, we do not have a plan. We only have trucks and hauling bills to pay,” Garganera said.

Osmeña later said his proposal was dated Jan. 29 and maintained that he had completed his work within the period he requested. He also said implementation of the project was the city government’s responsibility.

The vice mayor defended his proposed P250-million project while questioning the cost of a separate P470-million waste-processing proposal.

“I will defend the 250 million. It’s up to the Mayor to implement,” Osmeña said.

Councilor Harry Eran clarified during the session that the more expensive proposal included two automatic waste segregators and two pyrolysis machines. He also said the proposal came from the project proponent.

No final decision on which proposal to pursue was established during the discussion.

The council also approved Garganera’s omnibus motion seeking updates on the proposed solid waste management plan, the South Road Properties Eco-Station and the implementation of the city’s 10-year solid waste management plan.

The motion sought information on the city’s waste-management initiatives amid calls for a comprehensive and sustainable approach to garbage disposal and diversion.

Alcover subsequently criticized Osmeña’s handling of the confrontation. He said the vice mayor should have allowed Garganera to finish his privilege speech before responding.

“I didn’t expect him to act like that knowing that he is a veteran politician,” Alcover said.(TGP)