The 21st City Council will ask Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy to assign lawyers from the City Legal Office to assist them in expediting the approval of their long pending ordinances.

 

This came after Councilor Roger Abaday proposed the creation of a ‘legislative backstopping committee’ headed by the vice mayor that will coordinate with the City Legal Office in reviewing legislation proposed by the councilors.

 

In his special report on the issue, Abaday cited similar ‘institutionalized legislative legal/technical support mechanisms’ in the City Councils of Quezon City, Davao City, Iloilo City and Mandaluyong City as examples that aided in passing crucial legislation for their respective constituencies.

 

While Councilor Maximo ‘Jonjon’ Rodriguez III clarified that he filed a proposed ordinance creating a legislative division committee for this purpose, Vice Mayor Jocelyn ‘Bebot’ Rodriguez said she asked the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for their input on the measure.

 

For his part, Council Majority Floor Leader Edgar Cabanlas said Congress itself has ‘executive-legislative’ liaison officers that facilitate communication and cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of government. ‘The City Legal Office not only serves the executive department but (also the legislative department),’ Cabanlas said./Text by SC with CIO photos by Jomar Figuracion