CITY OF CAGAYAN DE ORO – Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez is here in favor of the proposal of the majority of the 20th city council to submit all councilors, including her, to a seminar on parliamentary procedure.

In a phone interview Tuesday afternoon, July 12, Rodriguez said she was willing to participate in the proposal despite the majority not attending her meetings held before the start of their term as newly elected officials.

“I have no problem with that, whether it’s new (advisers) or old. So that everyone can participate. I have no problem if they opt for parliamentary procedures. I can also submit to parliamentary procedure,” Rodriguez said.

“I invited them (the majority) before in a dinner, on June 25, they did not show up. Then, during my blessing here in my office, they were invited, nobody showed up”, has she added.

A heated verbal exchange during a session of the 20th city council took place on Monday.

As a result, a seminar on parliamentary procedures was proposed by pro tempore city councilor Edgar Cabanlas to ensure a serene legislative session.

Cabanlas, during a press conference on Monday July 11, stressed that all municipal councillors, including former members of the municipal council, must undergo the proposed seminar which should be led by the Ministry of the Interior and Communities (DILG).

“Majority members of the city council will write a letter to DILG for sponsorship and to be signed by all of us so that the communication is official,” he added.

The extreme verbal argument occurred between Rodriguez and Cabanlas, including adviser Roger Abaday.

It started when Rodriguez failed to recognize City Council Majority Leader Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, who wanted to speak while the council clerk read the second agenda item. This prompted Abaday to call for a parliamentary inquiry directed at the president.

Rodriguez also failed to recognize Abaday and affirmed her position as vice mayor and city council president.

“Please sit down, you are not recognized. Sit! Unless you’re the deputy mayor. I am the president and you are also the adviser,” Rodriguez told Abaday.

When the leader of the city council’s minority tier, Councilman James Judith, asked to move the suspension, Cabanlas called a point of order and told Rodriguez that the point of order does not require the president’s recognition.

“On a point of order, Madam President, please. The point of order does not require the recognition of the president. The only thing the president can say is what’s your point of order? Cabanlas told Rodriguez.

“My point of order is that the president is not following the rules; recognize Councilor Nacaya,” Cabanlas added.

However, after a short break, the session hall fell silent as Rodriguez admitted his mistakes and asked everyone inside the hall to give him a chance to improve and preside over the city council.

Cabanlas, on the other hand, apologized to Rodriguez and said he had no intention of disrespecting the vice mayor. Rodriguez also apologized to Cabanlas.

The last two sessions of the new city council here have been quite viral, especially on social media, due to heated arguments between councillors.

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