Yt Framework

District 2 Opposition Councilor Rommel Agan, yesterday said that his affiliation with the minority at the city council could already be considered as his and his allies’ legislative accomplishment for the year 2011.

Agan believes that their group’s existence at the local legislature “is in itself, an accomplishment for the year that was”, that they can proudly present to their constituents.

In an interview with RPN-Zamboanga, Agan said, chairing different committees is not the sole barometer in measuring how a councilor like him, excels in the aspect of legislation.

“There were even times, when the majority at the Sangguniang Panlungsod had to call for a time-out or recess, because they probably found it hard to debate with the minority, on matters of great interest”, Agan said.

Agan cited the then proposed increase in the amount of property tax, along with the city’s fair market value, to be among the hottest issues which the two camps had repeatedly engaged on, during the first quarter of 2011.

However, the son of the late mayor Vitaliano Agan admits, that “due to number, the majority simply got said proposed ordinance approved, no matter how unpopular it was”.

“We in the minority, may not always emerge victorious in controversial issues as we are few, but at least, we make the majority feel our significance during debates and deliberations of these issues”, the lawyer-councilor stressed.

At present, of the 18 councilors representing the city’s two districts including barangay and sangguniang kabataan sectors, only Agan and 1st district councilors Cesar ‘Jawo’ Jimenez, Melchor Ray Sadain, and Rodolfo Bayot, are with the minority.

As minority councilors, none of the four has been granted committee chairmanship, thus, leaving them with mere fiscalizing jobs.

“I am comfortable being with the minority, because nobody tells or dictates me on what to do and what to say, and I am not beholden to any person in power, except to my constituents”, Agan lamented.

By Philip Abuy