Talisay City Admin Warns VM

Talisay City Administrator John Yre de los Reyes has warned Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante to stick to his legislative functions instead of stepping over that of the mayor’s.

“Vice Mayor Villarante should not forget that the mayor, as mandated by the Local Government Code, has the prerogative to make decisions that are beneficial to the city,” said de los Reyes.

De los Reyes said Villarante should limit his functions in the legislative department, otherwise he will likely face legal impediments.

The city administrator’s warning came after Villarante issued a letter to Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes last Tuesday telling him to also reduce his job order (JO) worker’s quota. Villarante’s letter was in response to the mayor’s notice to him that his 100 JOs will be reduced to 50 after the Commission on Audit (COA) warned the mayor last Friday that he should start slashing the swelling number of JOs, otherwise he would be questioned.

The city has over 1,000 JOs, most of whom were supporters from the last year’s election. De los Reyes explained that the mayor’s move was only to protect the interest of the city.

“Kung nakit-an pa na ni Villarante nga ang gibuhat ni mayor para sa katawhan, para maka-save ta og kwarta, dili unta siya mo-question sa action sa chief executive,” said de los Reyes.

Despite Villarante’s response, his JOs were still slashed to 50 starting today.