10th SP inaugurated with Cristina as the new Floor Leader

By KIMRO (City Media Office)
July 6, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The Inaugural Session of the 10th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tacloban pushed through the other day, even with the lack of one member who still has to be confirmed with the legislative body by the local election officer, supposedly last July 4, Wednesday.

But albeit the vacuum which may be filled by either of the opposing parties retired General Dionisio Coloma and or media personality Ranulfo “Bob” Abellanosa, (who both claim to have won during the last election), still the august body proceeded to chose and proclaim their Floor Leader, 1st Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez who garnered an overwhelming vote of confidence from her colleagues, over Councilor Jerry Yaokasin, who was the other nominee.

Also, Councilor Nofredo Lagonoy who was unanimously endorsed and voted by his peers, handily took over the post of Assistant Floor Leader, without any opposition at all.

The council in a pre-session conference decided to just set aside the matter of whom to consider the rightful occupant to the tenth seat in the council, deeming that it should best be decided by City COMELEC Officer, Atty. Corazon Montallana, who didn’t make it to come during the session, notwithstanding the official invitation sent her by the honorable members of the Sannguniang Panlungsod of Tacloban.

Newly elected Mayor Alfred Romualdez who was also officially requested to grace the said occasion, wasn’t able to come due to some pressing problem, which he said in his official message read by Councilor Wilson Uy, has something to do with matters besetting him this transition period at the Executive Department. But he, however echoed his full backing to the new Sangguniang Panlungsod, which he said, could pave the way for a smooth reciprocal relation between the two departments.

Even at this early, an unhampered official interaction between the local executive and legislative departments had already been noted by many, clearly indicating an overturn of earlier speculations that political differences in the last election, between the two figures now sitting at the top posts in this city, may result to unproductive situations later.

One observer who witnessed how easily the Executive Department’s requests were approved by the legislative body during the inaugural session commented saying, “if only the two departments will come to terms like this, then we can expect more developments for the city ahead”.