by Noel Baguio
Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao del Norte should “stop grandstanding and put things in their proper perspective.”
Breaking his silence on the recent row between the executive and legislative bodies of the provincial government, Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario said some provincial board members over- stepped their responsibility as legislators when they insisted for the presence of two of his most trusted lieutenants before the body to shed light on the new security setup at the Capitol.
It may be recalled that the controversy stemmed from the privilege speech of board member Alan Dujali who alleged that there were reports of anomalies in the procurement of private security services for the provincial Capitol, and that the governor must have signed a document whose legality is questionable.
He further alleged that some of the governor’s men must have misled him into signing the document.
During the recent session of the SP, some members also took turns lambasting the executive office for hiring blue guards to secure the Capitol without the approval of the SP.
Del Rosario said what the local legislators really did in that session was sheer grandstanding, which has become second nature to many politicians.
He said his stint as a three-termer congressman had allowed him to put up with some politicians who show off just to be in the limelight.
However, he warned the SP members not to grandstand at the expense of the executive office. They must also have the correct and legal basis and put it their allegations in the proper perspective if they do so.
“I don’t care if they do grandstanding everyday. But, if it affects the integrity of the executive branch, we cannot allow them to go ahead and step on our toes,” the governor declared.
The SP invited Peligro and Sanchez to shed light on the implementation of the new security system at the Capitol employing the services of a private firm supposedly “in aid of legislation.”
The governor said the presence of the two executives before the SP is not necessary anymore because it is apparent the invitation does not pertain to a future matter that the local legislators would like to be enlightened on. It appears they only would like to look into a program that is already being implemented, he said.
The governor even cited the legal opinion of provincial legal officer Atty. Jennifer Namoc, which said that “the presence of said department heads are not essential” anymore for the same reason.
According to the governor, there is no proposed ordinance included in the agenda which calls for the presence of the two executives to supposedly elucidate on the measure being proposed.
He also cited a Supreme Court ruling which states that the sanggunian has no contempt powers to compel attendance of those being invited to their sessions, “since the power to compel attendance in aid of legislation is inherent only in Congress.”
And if they are keen on conducting an investigation, Del Rosario stressed it is without legal basis given that there is nothing to investigate as the executive branch did nothing unlawful in employing the blue guards to take over security services at the Capitol.
Some board members had asserted all along that the contract entered between the executive body and the private security firm to manage security at the Capitol should have passed through the SP.
However, the governor maintained the implementation of the new security system is in order and that the approval of the legislative body is no longer required on the ground that it is already included under the Peace and Order program incorporated in the 2011 Annual Budget that was approved by the SP last year.
He also made it clear the appropriation of P8 million for security services was actually specified in the budget, allowing the executive body to implement the program without the confirmation of the SP.
He said the whole process was done above board and consistent with R.A. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003.
Under the new law, security, janitorial and other support services now fall under the category of procurement of goods and services, which can now be contracted out or outsourced from private agencies.
The governor said grandstanding will not help if the local legislators are really concerned about the welfare of the former security guards who were displaced by the realignment.
He revealed the executive office has already started hiring back some displaced guards who are qualified for certain positions still available. The Capitol had earlier pledged to provide livelihood trainings and assistance to those who cannot be accommodated.
The governor said he hopes the issue will now be finally laid to rest, as he called on the legislative body to “renew our synergy and refocus our energy” towards attaining the human development strategy of the province.
