Move for DILG probe on Tomas-Joel spat blocked

Local

SEEKING to preserve local autonomy and legislative jurisdiction, the Cebu City Council blocked a proposal to elevate the Oct. 13 confrontation between Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Councilor Joel Garganera to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The council opted instead to investigate the incident internally.

During the latest regular session, Councilor Jun Alcover initially pushed his resolution requesting an impartial evaluation by DILG Region 7 to clarify parliamentary procedures and administrative governance standards.

Alcover argued that an external review would clear up public doubts and maintain transparency following the high-profile clash between the two officials.

However, several councilors mounted strong opposition.

They cited statutory mandates and internal house rules that give the Sanggunian sole authority over member discipline and legislative conduct.

Leading the opposition, Councilor Sisinio Andales argued that bypassing the council's internal mechanisms directly violates legislative courtesy and Section 50 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.

The law explicitly mandates local legislative bodies to enact their own internal rules of procedure (IRP) to enforce decorum and discipline members for disorderly conduct.

Andales emphasized that while the DILG holds general administrative supervision over local government units on behalf of the President, it possesses no judicial or disciplinary jurisdiction over elected local officials or the conduct of council sessions.

Under Article XI of the council’s house rules, primary jurisdiction remains strictly within the body.

Supported by Councilor Philip Zafra, Andales formally moved for reconsideration to strip the DILG referral clause from the proposed measure.

Zafra noted that while heated debates are expected during sessions, resolving internal misunderstandings rests squarely on the council's own committees, such as the Committee on Rules and Oversight.

Other members, including Councilor Alvin Arcilla, shared similar sentiments. He stressed that the council must maintain its independence and address its own procedural matters internally rather than deferring to an external agency.

Presiding over the deliberation, Vice Mayor Osmeña welcomed the discussion. He stated he did not mind being questioned in any forum but cautioned against surrendering the body’s established authority.

He noted that while councilors hold the right to determine their course of action, transferring the matter to an outside department would amount to subverting the Sanggunian's jurisdiction.

Following a brief recess called by Councilor Harry Eran to allow members to caucus, Alcover acquiesced to his colleagues' consensus.

He subsequently amended his motion, withdrawing the DILG referral and agreeing to turn over the investigation to the council’s Committee on Rules and Oversight.

The controversy stems from the Oct. 13 session, during which Osmeña and Garganera engaged in a tense verbal exchange while Garganera was delivering a privilege speech regarding delays in the city’s solid waste management plan.

Alcover had previously criticized Osmeña’s intervention as improper, which prompted his original call for an external assessment.(TGP)