Councilor Peter Maristella was selected as the Minority Floor Leader of the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod in its inaugural session on Monday, June 1.
Maristella, who left the administration bloc of the City Council last year because of some political differences, said that the minority will keep an eye on the projects and ordinances that the majority bloc will try to pass to see if those are acceptable to them or not.
“Kami naman ni Konsehal Patrick eh nag-uusap na na hindi naman kami basta na lamang mag-o-oppose nang mag-o-oppose sa lahat ng mga kagustuhan ng mga majority,” Maristella said.
“Normal lang naman na magkakaroon ng mga debate, magkakaroon ng mga pagtatalo pero in the end of the day, eh siguro naman mapagkakasunduan rin naman natin kasi lahat naman tayo, majority man o minority, ang gusto naman natin talaga eh mapabuti ‘yung lungsod ng Puerto Princesa,” he added.
The other member of the minority and newly elected Councilor Patrick Hagedorn shares the same sentiment. “Not necessarily pag minority ka eh kokontrahin mo na lahat ng magandang lalabas sa lunsod ng Puerto Princesa.”
He also stated that “it’s just a terminology na kami ay nabilang lang doon sa ‘yun nga, minority.”
On the other hand, Councilor Victor Oliveros will serve as the majority floor leader and Councilor Henry Gadiano as the assistant majority floor leader.