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LC dad withdraws vote for legal officer confirmation

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By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter

Laoag City—Laoag councilor Jeff Ericson P. Farinas has withdrawn his vote for the confirmation of city government legal officer Atty. Marlon Wayne D. Manuel.

Mr. Fariñas reasoned that he withdrew his vote after learning that prior to Mr. Manuel’s appointment, he is also a legal counsel for the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC).

There is a pending case between the Laoag government and INEC, and Mr. Fariñas cited this reason he withdrew his confirmation vote.

He stressed that he does not believe that Mr. Manuel could fully represent the city government since he is also a legal counsel for the opposing party.

“We’ll see. Inbagak metten toy kaririknak nga against nak didiay,” Mr. Farinas said.

He also disclosed that he was not aware of the real situation about Mr. Manuel representing the opposing parties when his appointment was presented for approval.         

Earlier, Mr. Fariñas asked fellow councilor Atty. Franklin Dante A. Respicio about the matter. Mr. Respicio, who sits as chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committee on laws as well as a practicing lawyer, said he is still waiting for the reply of his query to the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Ilocos Times sought the opinion of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in the province, and an official said Mr. Manuel is allowed to be a city government legal officer and a private practitioner provided the appointing authority allows it and gives authority to him to practice as a private lawyer.

The appointing authority is Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas.


Legal officer reacts
Reacting to this, Mr. Manuel said he respects Mr. Fariñas’ decision if he feels he has no right to be in this position. He stressed however that the council is a collegial body and thus will decide as a whole.

“Let us just give the Hon. Jeff Fariñas the respect as an elected official and that is his opinion. Though, on my part respetarek latta. I have no hurt feelings ta awan met diperensya mi personal”, Mr. Manuel said.

Mr. Manuel divulged that there is no case lodged currently between INEC and the city government and that INEC also has other legal counsels. He added that if there would be any conflict of interest that may arise concerning him, he could always ask the city prosecutor’s office to represent the city.

“Ag inhibit-ak a in both entities no kaspagarigan adda kaso but may I underscore the fact that there is no case that was lodged by any of the two parties,” Mr. Manuel said.

Mr. Manuel also stressed that Ms. Fariñas has been given him the authority to practice privately and he shows it every time he appears in court.

A first for the council
Meanwhile, council secretary Enrico Aurelio said it’s his first time in his 17 years as secretary to encounter a withdrawal of vote after a year of its approval.

However, Mr. Aurelio explained that even if nothing like this has happened before, Mr. Fariñas is well within his rights to withdraw his vote for confirmation.

But based on the SPs internal rules of procedures, the withdrawal or change of vote could only happen at that time a motion for reconsideration is made, and if the measure has been approved, you can move for its reconsideration in the next regular session. Beyond this however would already mean the vote is permanent.  

Should Mr. Fariñas pursue his withdrawal of vote, Mr. Aurelio advised him to follow another procedure which is to introduce a measure or a resolution regarding his wishes. This will be deliberated on by the council and whatever results would be based on the consensus of the body.

Mr. Aurelio also said that he believes a withdrawal of a vote after a year or more would reflect on the integrity of any legislator.


“Kasanu ngaruden no aramiden met dagitay congressmen kada senadores tayon, awan ser-serbi nan dagitay pan-pandayen dan a linteg ta ken agbalin nga awan integrity nan dagitoy legislation tayo nukwan,” Mr. Aurelio said.
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