A tit for tat is expected to dominate tomorrow's special session of the Sangguniang Panglungsod when a resolution authored by City Councilor Adam Relson Jala seeking to restore the authority of City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap to hire the services of contractual and non-contractual personnel is tabled for deliberations. Although other matters are calendared for discussion, the Jala measure is on top of the special session agenda. It aims to shot down an earlier resolution authored by City Councilor Alexander Lim suspending the authority granted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod to City Mayor Yap to enter into contracts of services with professionals and non-professionals, through SP Resolution No. 13-96, series of 2013 and Resolution No. 13-111, series of 2013 without prejudice to the city mayor submitting his recommendation for renewal of contract holders or new appointments of professionals and non-professionals needed for the delivery of the basic services of the City of Tagbilaran subject to the ratification of the SP.

Verbal fireworks are expected to erupt in the SP halls given the proximity of the Jala resolution to the Lim measure which was only approved last session day. Lim shepherded his resolution until its final outing when the city council was locked in a logjam resulting in V-Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso breaking the tie. Veloso won the day for the Lim resolution when the vice mayor voted in its favor. But the euphoria of Lim's victory appears to be short lived when Jala's move will be decided tomorrow. Either the measure is referred to the appropriate committee or it will be voted outright. If voting is the option, all eyes are on the strength of the group allied with the author of the resolution torpedoing the Lim proposition revoking the authority to hire casuals and other contractuals. Jala and his group must be aware that they the upperhand in the number of councilors expected tom rally behind his cause.

As of last count, Jala which is believed to be the trouble shooter of Mayor Yap can count the vote of newly minted president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, city chapter, Edgar Bompat, last Monday. At 6-5, the Yap-Jala combine is enough advantage to dismantle what remains of the opposition bloc in the city council. During the last session of the SP, the opposition succeeded to muster five votes after the Yap camp lost the presence of Faro Cabalit, whose term expired as ex-oficio member representing the Liga. Now that “the shoe is in another foot” Jala and his cohorts in the SP are apparently singing “happy days are here again.”