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As we promised
in this corner last Wednesday, we are re-printing here in full the letter of Vice
Gov. Julius Caesar F. Herrera dated May 22 to City Mayor Dan Lim which is self-explanatory.
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"Dear
Mayor Lim:
This
is to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated May 16, 2008 re: privilege speech
delivered by Board Member Alfonso Damalerio II.
I
deeply regret that such an incident took place in the halls of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan during my absence. I firmly believe in the importance of inter-branch
courtesy in the disposal of our duties and responsibilities as government officials.
Genuine
service is best practiced when proper decorum and respect is upheld at all times.
It
saddens me that this unpleasant event happened at a time when the public seeks
to see more collaborative efforts among LGUs and its officials. This may be a
personal privilege for Board Member Damalerio but I assure you that the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan as a collegial body shall remain to espouse the principles of mutual
independence. In the same manner, the Sanggunian likewise extends inter-parliamentary
courtesy to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Tagbilaran.
As
Presiding Officer, it is my duty to uphold the integrity of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
at all times. Hence, I shall ensure that adverse incidents of this nature will
no longer happen in the future.
We
hope that this will finally put the issue at rest. Thank You."
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With
this laconic elucidation of the vice-governor, with put the issue to rest. We
also had the letter-reply of Board Member Ae Damalerio to our privilege speech
sent to archives during our regular session last Monday.
If
we have to make further comments on his letter which was copy furnished to all
members of the city sanggunian, the verbal calisthenics will not end.
So
we have to close the verbal wrangling fueled by some media hacks and better come
up with concrete solutions to the city's drainage problem. Amen.
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