MANILA CITY Councilors today accused some of their colleagues of premature politicking for assailing the newly passed resolution of the City Council directing the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) to confer a doctorate degree to Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.
In a statement, Majority Floor Leader Councilor Marlon Lacson said that it was unfair to falsely attribute the matter to the Vice Mayor, who had nothing to do with the resolution since it was initiated and passed through the collective effort of the majority of the council members.
Lacson said he remember the days when political opponents of the vice mayor would ridicule his lack of college diploma. “Hindi naman siguro kasalanan kung hindi ka nakapag aral dati dahil sa kahirapan,”but pointed out that Vice Mayor Isko should serve as an inspiration because it didn’t stop him from pursuing a college degree even when he was already a member of the City Council. He added that how many of his colleagues could say that they were able to study in Harvard and Oxford like what the Vice Mayor did?
Councilor Joel Chua echoed Lacson’s sentiments saying “those who claim that they were either absent or don’t recall the said proceedings could have simply manifested their reservations or withdrawal on the floor rather than thru media and could have avoided putting the Vice Mayor in a bad light.
“Wala namang kinalaman si Vice dito sa resolusyon na ito so it was improper at the very least to put the blame on him,” Chua added.
Minority Floor Leader Councilor Manuel Zarcal likewise reacted to Councilor Ali Atienza’s comments that “had he not been absent, he would have opposed the same because the Vice Mayor does not deserve it,” saying “yan ang hirap pag umaabsent tapos pag wala ka, mag gra grandstand ka.”
Zarcal noted that it was normal practice for some Councilors to be considered as principal author of a resolution or an ordinance even if they are not present but said that he respects their opinion if they think otherwise. “Nagkataon lang siguro na yung mga nag reklamo happens to be the top absentees also when it comes to attendance in the sessions of the City Council,” Zarcal added.
In a statement, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said he respects the opinion of the 4 Councilors but clarified that he never asked for it and had nothing to do with the said resolution. He said while he is grateful for the recognition but will leave the matter to the discretion of his colleagues and the PLM Board of Regents. “I have a very high respect for the all the members of the board of regents and i will respect whatever their decision is.”
Moreno pointed out “I don’t need titles to do my job much less grandstand because its not my habit and character,” Moreno said. “Mas maganda siguro kung magtrabaho na lang muna sila at wag mamulitika. Ang hirap kasi pag anak ng pulitiko,puro pulitika ang nasa isip,” he added.
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