Why were the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod neither informed nor invited when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited the Bacolod-Silay Airport on July 13?

Segovia said that, aside from Mayor Jose Montelibano and Vice Mayor Mark Golez, no other city official was invited to the occasion.

Montelibano explained that protocol during presidential visit is very strict and while he really wanted to bring the councilors with him to meet the President, it was impossible to do so.

The mayor said he had to follow the instructions from the Presidential Management Staff and the Presidential Security Group who told him that only the mayor and vice mayor of Silay are invited to the occasion.

Montelibano said he hopes the councilors understand his situation and they will not take it personally. "I am very sorry if Buddy felt slighted but there was no intention on my part to leave out the SP members," Montelibano said.

Personally, he said he wanted the councilors to see how beautiful the airport is, and he will find the time to take them there and show them the elegant design of its interior.

Meanwhile, Montelibano called for a press conference today at the Mayor's Office in Silay to present the programs of his administration.

Earlier, the new mayor had lamented the state of the finances of the Mayor's Office, and said that the funds were depleted by the previous administration.*NAB

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