By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag
City—Laoag councilor Jeff Ericson P. Farinas
has withdrawn his vote for the confirmation of city government legal officer
Atty. Marlon Wayne D. Manuel.
Mr. Fariñas reasoned that he
withdrew his vote after learning that prior to Mr. Manuel’s appointment, he is
also a legal counsel for the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC).
There is a pending case
between the Laoag government and INEC, and Mr. Fariñas cited this reason he
withdrew his confirmation vote.
He stressed that he does not
believe that Mr. Manuel could fully represent the city government since he is
also a legal counsel for the opposing party.
“We’ll see. Inbagak metten toy kaririknak nga against
nak didiay,” Mr. Farinas said.
He also disclosed that he was
not aware of the real situation about Mr. Manuel representing the opposing parties
when his appointment was presented for approval.
Earlier, Mr. Fariñas asked
fellow councilor Atty. Franklin Dante A. Respicio about the matter. Mr.
Respicio, who sits as chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committee on
laws as well as a practicing lawyer, said he is still waiting for the reply of
his query to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The
Ilocos Times sought the opinion of the Civil
Service Commission (CSC) in the province, and an official said Mr. Manuel is
allowed to be a city government legal officer and a private practitioner
provided the appointing authority allows it and gives authority to him to
practice as a private lawyer.
The appointing authority is
Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas.
Legal officer reacts
Reacting to this, Mr. Manuel said he respects Mr. Fariñas’ decision
if he feels he has no right to be in this position. He stressed however that
the council is a collegial body and thus will decide as a whole.
“Let us just give the Hon.
Jeff Fariñas the respect as an elected official and that is his opinion.
Though, on my part respetarek latta.
I have no hurt feelings ta awan met
diperensya mi personal”, Mr. Manuel said.
Mr. Manuel divulged that
there is no case lodged currently between INEC and the city government and that
INEC also has other legal counsels. He added that if there would be any
conflict of interest that may arise concerning him, he could always ask the
city prosecutor’s office to represent the city.
“Ag inhibit-ak a in both entities no kaspagarigan adda kaso but may I underscore the fact that there is
no case that was lodged by any of the two parties,” Mr. Manuel said.
Mr. Manuel also stressed that
Ms. Fariñas has been given him the authority to practice privately and he shows
it every time he appears in court.
A first for the council
Meanwhile, council secretary Enrico Aurelio said it’s his first
time in his 17 years as secretary to encounter a withdrawal of vote after a
year of its approval.
However, Mr. Aurelio explained
that even if nothing like this has happened before, Mr. Fariñas is well within
his rights to withdraw his vote for confirmation.
But based on the SPs internal
rules of procedures, the withdrawal or change of vote could only happen at that
time a motion for reconsideration is made, and if the measure has been
approved, you can move for its reconsideration in the next regular session. Beyond
this however would already mean the vote is permanent.
Should Mr. Fariñas pursue his
withdrawal of vote, Mr. Aurelio advised him to follow another procedure which
is to introduce a measure or a resolution regarding his wishes. This will be
deliberated on by the council and whatever results would be based on the
consensus of the body.
Mr. Aurelio also said that he
believes a withdrawal of a vote after a year or more would reflect on the
integrity of any legislator.
“Kasanu ngaruden no aramiden met dagitay congressmen kada senadores tayon, awan ser-serbi nan
dagitay pan-pandayen dan a linteg ta ken agbalin nga awan integrity nan dagitoy legislation tayo nukwan,” Mr. Aurelio said.
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