We received a call yesterday from Majority Floorleader Jose Antonio Veloso and later, from Vice-Mayor Nuevas T. Montes herself regarding the presence at the new city hall of officials representing the President's Brigade Program from Manila.

The Manila people are apparently scrambling after the 9th Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution we authored last week calling for an investigation on the delivery of bailey bridge panels at the city wharf more than two years ago.

As this developed, Gov. Erico Aumentado ordered the immediate removal of the steel materials from the city wharf.

* * * * * *

Today, the bailey bridge panels are no longer there at the city wharf. The eyesore has been removed.
To our mind, the presence of those materials for more than two years at the city wharf is worth looking into as it does not only demonstrated government inefficiency but also exposed the possibility of shady deals in the bureaucracy.

Do we have to resort to harsh legislations just to let the Manila government scamper on their seats in the wake of dubious deliveries?

* * * * * *

We asked Vice-Mayor Montes to require the presence of these Manila officials during our regular session tomorrow so that their statements and answers to our interpellations will be reflected in the official records.

As of this writing, we still firmly believe that the removal of the bailey bridge panels from the city wharf after more than two years will not stop us into further inquiry as to the circumstances behind its delivery.

There are a lot of questions wanting of answers. For instance, how come that the engineering districts here do not have an iota of idea as to its delivery here? Who caused the delivery and who is its consignee?

* * * * * *

Initially, we learned that it was the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) who notified the Manila people of the resolution we authored last week.

And as of yesterday, we also heard that the bailey bridge panels were reportedly brought to a bridge construction somewhere in Riverside, Dauis.

Now, they are starting to act. After two long years.

* * * * *

For comments and suggestions, just e-mail to the following e-mail addresses: obiter@boholchronicle.com