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Kabanay Unlimited was how one councilor described the involvement of relatives of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes in the affairs of the city government.
?If we have Kamag-anak Inc. before, we now have in Mandaue City, Kabanay Unlimited?family members of the Mayor who have been farmed out to the different departments without any appointments or designation and therefore without any accountability at all for any misfeasance or malfeasance,? said Councilor Victor Biaño yesterday.
Cortes said some relatives were helping him in City Hall without recieving any pay.
?They are just there to observe and give recommendations to me. The final decision lies with me,? Cortes said.
Biaño, who said relying on these advisors showed the mayor?s ?weakness?, identified them as the mayor?s uncle Zoilo M. Cortes and Zoilo?s wife Manding Lily Cortes, the mayor?s brothers Demetrio and Victor, brother-in-law Jimmy Vasquez, and cousin-in-law Editha F. Cortes.
Cortes said their presence was a big help to the city government by saving funds through efficient services.
?At the motorpool, for example, we were able to save P1 million per month since Jun (Demetrio Jr.) monitored the fuel consumption,? Cortes said. ?And he did that without asking any salary from the City Hall.?
Biaño said he was concerned that the advisors were not subject to legal restrictions or the Civil Service Law, and could become ?loose cannons? demoralize department heads in City Hall.
Mayor Cortes said that if Biaño wants he could also join in observing the different departments ?if it is allowed by law.?
?Ug mahimo pa lang ako siya iaapil and make recommendations to me,? the mayor stressed.
Biaño pointed out that having too many advisers for the mayor only prove one thing: ?These people make decisions for the mayor thus exposing all the more the weakness of Mayor Jonas. Enough reason for people?s losing of confidence in him.? Reporter Dale G.Israel
