ANGELES CITY – Members of the minority bloc led by Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting walked out of the city council session yesterday as the majority approved three resolutions authorizing Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno to seek a P812-million loan for the construction of a sports complex.
Vega relinquished her post to Councilor Ricardo “Ric” Zalamea just as Majority Floor Leader Councilor Agapito Del Rosario pushed for approval of Resolutions 149, 150 and 151 (series of 2009). The resolutions were approved by Del Rosario, Councilors Pogs Sullers, Robin Nepomuceno, Ares Yabut, Carl John Miranda, Rudy Simeon and Dan Lacson.
“This (sports complex) will not be a white elephant. It will be income-generating,” said Del Rosario. He assailed Vega “for leading a walk-out because she seems to have other priorities.”
In Resolution 150, Nepomuceno was authorized to enter into a loan agreement with private, government or financing institutions for the acquisition of a lot to be used for the construction of the proposed sports complex. The other resolution ratified the P812.6 million term loan facility agreement between the city government and Philippine Veterans Bank for the sports complex.
In Resolution 151, the city government was allowed to open a bank account making Nepomuceno, City Administrator Mark Allen Sison and City Treasurer Juliet Quinsaat as signatories in connection with the loan for the sports complex.
Vega said she walked out because she did not want to be a part of the “mother of all scams.” She said the loan for the sports complex “should not be the priority of the city as of this time.”
Vega said the mayor should “prioritize health care and education.” She added that they should also pay their obligations such as the P65 million to the landfill in Capas town, delayed remittances to the barangays of their share of the real property taxes (RPT), and other incentives due to city hall workers.
Councilors Jesus “Jay” Sangil, Maricel Morales and Ruben Maniago joined Vega in leaving the session hall just as the majority was about to approve the three resolutions.
Sangil said the three resolutions “were railroaded.” He added that “the bank account for the loans was included in one of the resolutions despite the failure to have committee hearings and public consultations.”
Sangil said Del Rosario and members of the majority “failed to reconsider the opposition of several village chiefs and other sectors to the establishment of the huge sports complex.”
Sangil said “they should instead prioritize livelihood projects and basic services to the people.”
Del Rosario, for his part, said several prominent entities in Metro Manila, including the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), have expressed their intention to avail themselves of the facilities at the planned sports complex.
Del Rosario said big-time cock derbies would use the sports complex and provide income for the city.
Vega relinquished her post to Councilor Ricardo “Ric” Zalamea just as Majority Floor Leader Councilor Agapito Del Rosario pushed for approval of Resolutions 149, 150 and 151 (series of 2009). The resolutions were approved by Del Rosario, Councilors Pogs Sullers, Robin Nepomuceno, Ares Yabut, Carl John Miranda, Rudy Simeon and Dan Lacson.
“This (sports complex) will not be a white elephant. It will be income-generating,” said Del Rosario. He assailed Vega “for leading a walk-out because she seems to have other priorities.”
In Resolution 150, Nepomuceno was authorized to enter into a loan agreement with private, government or financing institutions for the acquisition of a lot to be used for the construction of the proposed sports complex. The other resolution ratified the P812.6 million term loan facility agreement between the city government and Philippine Veterans Bank for the sports complex.
In Resolution 151, the city government was allowed to open a bank account making Nepomuceno, City Administrator Mark Allen Sison and City Treasurer Juliet Quinsaat as signatories in connection with the loan for the sports complex.
Vega said she walked out because she did not want to be a part of the “mother of all scams.” She said the loan for the sports complex “should not be the priority of the city as of this time.”
Vega said the mayor should “prioritize health care and education.” She added that they should also pay their obligations such as the P65 million to the landfill in Capas town, delayed remittances to the barangays of their share of the real property taxes (RPT), and other incentives due to city hall workers.
Councilors Jesus “Jay” Sangil, Maricel Morales and Ruben Maniago joined Vega in leaving the session hall just as the majority was about to approve the three resolutions.
Sangil said the three resolutions “were railroaded.” He added that “the bank account for the loans was included in one of the resolutions despite the failure to have committee hearings and public consultations.”
Sangil said Del Rosario and members of the majority “failed to reconsider the opposition of several village chiefs and other sectors to the establishment of the huge sports complex.”
Sangil said “they should instead prioritize livelihood projects and basic services to the people.”
Del Rosario, for his part, said several prominent entities in Metro Manila, including the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), have expressed their intention to avail themselves of the facilities at the planned sports complex.
Del Rosario said big-time cock derbies would use the sports complex and provide income for the city.
