Tension erupts in City Council over call to reassign Pacanan

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

A heated exchange erupted at the City Council on Sept. 3 between Councilors Rommel Duron and Sheen Marie Mabilog over a resolution urging the transfer of Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) officer-in-charge Roy Pacanan.

The dispute began when Mabilog asked Duron about the necessity of the resolution, considering that Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon had ordered the courtesy resignation of all its officials, including district engineers.

“[Is the resolution] necessary since we are requesting for transfer and reassignment?” Mabilog asked.

Duron countered that the resolution remained relevant, stressing that it would strengthen the city government’s call to reassign Pacanan elsewhere.

Mabilog pressed further, asking if Duron knew whether Pacanan had already submitted his resignation, which would render the resolution “moot and academic.”

Duron replied that even if Pacanan had filed a resignation, it had not yet been acted upon by the DPWH secretary.

He then challenged Mabilog to ask Pacanan herself if he had made such a move.

“If you want to help us, you ask Pacanan to submit his resignation. Are you with us or not [with this resolution]?” Duron asked.

Mabilog maintained that she supported the council’s probe into flood projects but said asking questions was part of due diligence.

“Questions are not bad, and it is not in any way to give insult to my colleagues. It is just a question,” she said.

The exchange escalated when Duron branded Mabilog’s queries as “irrelevant,” recalling the multiple questions she raised during an August hearing on the proposed extension of the discount in real property tax.

He went on to tell her to “study” next time.

The remarks prompted Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda to call a recess, saying she would not allow members to insult each other in the session hall.

When tensions persisted even during recess, Baronda ordered the sergeant-at-arms to intervene.

Despite the commotion, Duron’s resolution was eventually approved.

In his resolution, Duron cited Pacanan’s repeated refusal to appear in the City Council’s ongoing investigation of flood projects, noting that Pacanan’s presence is deemed crucial.

He also argued that the ICDEO chief’s actions showed disrespect to the council, hindered proper action on flooding and nonfunctional flood control projects, and undermined coordination between DPWH and the city government.

He asked DPWH to immediately appoint a new officer-in-charge who would cooperate with the investigation, citing the Local Government Code’s mandate for national agencies to consult with the local government.

Less than an hour after the council session, Pacanan’s courtesy resignation was released to the media.

“It has been a privilege to serve the Department and the Filipino people for almost 25 years. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity and the trust granted to me,” he said.

The resignation was dated Sept. 1 and was received by the records section of DPWH-6 on the same day.