Dela Llana, Mabilog clash over ‘better’ FOI ordinance versions

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

With two Freedom of Information (FOI) ordinances now pending before the committee, Councilors Nene Dela Llana and Sheen Marie Mabilog have traded sharp remarks over who authored the “better” version of the proposed transparency measure.

Dela Llana, in an interview with RMN Iloilo on Thursday, likened Mabilog’s proposed FOI measure to an indi manamit nga cake (tasteless cake), saying she found it lacking in substance and clarity.

“Parehas sa amon sa konseho, birthday sang isa ka konsehal […] Si Sheen Mabilog nagpresentar nga siya mabakal sang cake ya. Pag-abot to karon sa isa ka konsehal, las-ay kag kulang ang timpla sang cake,” she said.

“Te ako ya madala ko sang cake ko nga akon eh. Ari ang akon cake oh, namit kag espesiyal. Pero indi ko ya mag-upod sa cake mo kay indi na nami,” she added.

When pressed further, Dela Llana bluntly said she found Mabilog’s draft malas-ay gid (bland) and indi ko gid matulon(hard to swallow).

She, however, clarified that beyond authorship, what matters most is ensuring the city passes an FOI ordinance that promotes transparency.

Mabilog, in a statement on the same day, fired back and called Dela Llana’s remarks “narcissistic” and “unnecessary.”

“What is the basis of the definition of lawlaw (lousy) kung wala pa na finalize. Kung gina hambal niya nga iya lang nami. I think that statement is very narcissistic,” she said.

Mabilog pointed out that since the two ordinances have only so far passed the first reading, their proposals are still drafts open for further refinement during the committee hearing.

She also maintained that there was no need for Dela Llana to pass a separate ordinance, as suggestions could be raised during deliberations.

“Hindi kilanlan mag binastosanay. People expect better from their councilors. I would not engage in the circus that has been happening in the City Council,” she said.

Despite the verbal tussle, both councilors said they are open to merging their proposals into one FOI measure.

Dela Llana also expressed willingness to let Mabilog be the principal author of the ordinance, as long as the “best version” prevails.

Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, chairperson of the Committee on Communication and Public Information, said he plans to refer the two FOI ordinances back to their authors if both measures are found to cover the same subject matter.

He explained that if reconciled, the committee will tackle only one consolidated version, but if no agreement is reached, the committee will review both measures separately.

Cabaluna acknowledged the possibility that one of the proposed ordinances could eventually be dropped but said the committee would first exhaust efforts to merge the two drafts.

“It’s possible also that one or even two can be junked, or the committee can just give a recommendation. But this will rely heavily on what they will present in the committee hearing,” he said.

If reconciliation succeeds and both councilors are found to have contributed equally to the final version, Cabaluna said they could be named co-authors of the measure.

“It could be Solomonic — with two sides really for transparency and accountability — and we’d like to see them co-author this particular ordinance,” Cabaluna said.

He added that there is also a possibility the two measures will end up as a committee proposal.