H THE DESIGNATION of a Deputy Mayor in Tagbilaran City has no legitimacy, said City Councilor Alexander “Aleckoy” Lim in his privilege speech during the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) session on Thursday. Councilor Lim dropped a bombshell lambasting Tagbilaran Deputy Mayor Mariano “Mario” Uy while criticizing the latter’s management of the Botika sa Katawhan, one of the flagship health programs of the previous administration providing free medicines to city indigents.  According to Lim, the designation of Deputy Mayor is not recognized as an official appointment or a part of plantilla positions in the City Government. He said, the title of Deputy Mayor, is not authorized or sanctioned in the Local Government Code. “Let us put an end to this nonsense. We sincerely request City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap to abolish the position,” Lim declared.  In light of recent statements made by Uy regarding the resumption of operations of the Botika, Lim urged fellow city lawmakers to defer any approvals or recommendations regarding the Botika sa Katawhan, until such time the legality or validity of authorizing such and any transaction involving the designated Deputy Mayor is resolved.

 “Since there is no such position empowered under our Ordinances or the Local Government Code, it is my humble opinion that we in the Sangguniang Panlungsod should not be made a party or consent to any transaction, operation or contracts that involve the designated Deputy Mayor. This is a new administration, the present composition of City Officials is not bound by any law to recognize or carry over the recognition of such position,” the city legislator said.  Councilor Lim explained that, “The situation creates confusion. Bearing the name of the City Government, in the assumption that he is representing the City as Deputy Mayor. The question is, can we impose any legal sanctions on this person? In fact, the designation is all the more non-binding on his part since he is neither an elected official nor an appointed or career personnel of the City. But then he uses the position in official transactions and private dealings such as soliciting donations from well-meaning Boholanos abroad.” Lim called on SP members to require the City Treasurer to review the budget in prior years allocated to the Botika sa Katawhan and to furnish copies of financial reports to the members of the council and the City Mayor.

 “A noble project such as Botika sa Katawhan should be beyond reproach and must be allowed to continue with utmost transparency and without any taint of public suspicion,” Lim stressed. The city councilor said that the city council. in their collective capacity, should conduct a probe on the operation of Botika sa Katawhan which is supported by the city government and generating donations from well-meaning private donors, especially Boholanos abroad.  “My intention is actually to preserve the integrity of this noble project which has helped many of our constituents,” he said.  “Though Mr. Uy claims that this project is his idea and is private in nature, it cannot be denied that it is imbued with public interest since government resources are also utilized in its operation and it is even sanctioned by the city government,” Lim stressed.  City-paid employees are deployed to the Botika project and it holds office on a city government-owned property.  “It is high time that Mr. Uy submits a detailed accounting on the donations generated for the project, the proceeds of the Sandugo Trade Fair, rental of stalls, other income and the expenditures, all intended for transparency of the Botika project,” Lim said.

 “I just wish my good intentions will not be interpreted otherwise since all of us are city residents and has the right to know on matters that has something to do with the welfare of our people,” he added.  Lim also criticized the “deputy mayor” who is reportedly collecting rentals from businesses operating in the trade fair, including the nightly flea market that is still operating at the city wharf area. The collections are allegedly made without any official receipts.  “Botika sa Katawhan should be made transparent to end all speculations and protect it from suspicion that somebody is gaining from it,” Lim concluded.