Bacolod Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson yesterday said he hopes the Mayor will support the takeover ordinance of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, though he may have other options.

The Mayor may approve or veto it, or allow it to lapse into law after 10 days.

The “takeover ordinance” involving the operation and management of the port at the reclamation area in Bacolod City , was approved by the SP on third and final reading on Dec. 19, with seven positive votes against five negative votes and one abstention.

Sayson said the takeover ordinance is still pending with the SP because of the holidays, considering that there were so many requests for budget re-alignments by the different departments before the year end. He said it may be submitted to the Office of the Mayor through the City Legal Officer on Friday, or next week.

Sayson said they are also finalizing the ordinance for the 2008 Annual Budget.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that once he receives the “takeover ordinance,” he has 10 days to resolve it.

Councilor Al Victor Espino said the takeover ordinance was passed for the purpose of rebidding the port operation, without exempting Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. If it wants to operate the port again, it should submit a new bid, he said.

Rosellier Maalat, one of the legal counsels of BREDCO, had earlier said, that once the ordinance becomes effective, they will file a case in court for declaration of its nullity, and for damages with prayer for temporary restraining order.

Sayson said that is their democratic right, and that, if BREDCO files a case, they will answer it.*CGS

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