New house rules not meant to muzzle Tomas, councilors say

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Council majority on Friday assured that Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña can still voice his views during council deliberations despite newly adopted House Rules that formally limit his legislative powers, saying the changes merely align the council’s procedures with the law, rather than attempt to silence him.

Councilor Philip Zafra, chairman of the Committee on House Rules and Oversight, said the majority recognizes Osmeña’s decades of experience in public service and intends to continue listening to his opinions even after the revised House Rules stripped the vice mayor of powers previously recognized under the council’s internal rules.

“I will see to it that the vice mayor can still say his piece,” Zafra told reporters.

This came a day after Osmeña claimed the amendments sought to prevent him from participating in legislative debates and deprive the public of hearing alternative views during council sessions.

READ: Tomas: New Council house rules ‘won’t stop me from speaking out’

‘Not clipping powers’

Zafra rejected suggestions that the amendments “clipped” the vice mayor’s powers.

“Well, I think not necessarily clipping,” he said, explaining that the revisions primarily implement a legal opinion issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

According to Zafra, the DILG opinion, supported by Supreme Court jurisprudence, states that vice mayors and vice governors may no longer serve as committee chairpersons because they act as impartial presiding officers rather than regular members of the legislative body.

“Although wala na ma-provide sa atong House Rules… wala na’y chairmanship ang atong vice mayor (Although our House Rules no longer provide for it and the vice mayor no longer holds a committee chairmanship), considering his vast experience as a public servant… I manifested on record that we should still allow him to present his points of view, especially on matters of great importance,” Zafra said.

READ: Council adopts new House rules, strips Tomas of key legislative powers

He added that the council could hear Osmeña’s views either during official proceedings or even during recesses.

“Basta ato gyud siyang paminawon sa iyang mga punto de vista (We will still listen to his views),” he said.

Why amend now?

The House Rules took effect on July 7 after the 17th Cebu City Council approved the revisions.

Zafra explained that the council could amend its House Rules only once a year, preventing members from immediately incorporating the DILG opinion after it came out shortly after last year’s inaugural session.

“According sa atong House Rules, maka-amend lang ta once in a year (Under our House Rules, we can amend them only once a year),” he said.

He added that the legal opinion surfaced only weeks after the council organized last year, forcing members to wait until this year’s annual review before implementing the changes.

The council simultaneously removed the one-year prohibition on future amendments, allowing members to revisit the House Rules whenever necessary.

DILG opinion guided changes

Zafra acknowledged that many netizens viewed the amendments as an effort to silence Osmeña but said the majority simply followed the legal guidance available to local governments.

“Subo palandongon nga ingon ana ang sitwasyon (It is unfortunate that people see it that way),” he said.

“Our hands are tied by what the law provides.”

Still, Zafra disclosed that the council had already adopted a corollary motion seeking further clarification from the DILG and remained open to elevating the matter before the courts if necessary.

“At the end of the day, the opinion is just a mere guidance,” he said.

“But we’re looking for ways nga ma-accommodate ang atong vice mayor during the deliberation (to better accommodate the vice mayor during deliberations).”

“As a policy-making body of the city, dili maayo nga ato lang i-leave out ang atong vice mayor (it would not be good to simply leave out the vice mayor),” he added.

Participation remains

Zafra also disputed claims that the revised House Rules would prevent Osmeña from participating altogether.

“Akong klarohon nga dili gyud na ingon nga gilimitan (I want to clarify that it is not accurate to say his participation has been limited),” he said.

He argued that the previous practice merely granted the vice mayor broader leeway until the DILG issued its legal opinion interpreting the Local Government Code.

Although the formal rules now confine the vice mayor’s legislative role largely to presiding over sessions and breaking tie votes, Zafra said the council unanimously agreed that Osmeña should still have opportunities to express his views.

“He could always say his piece. He could always give his guidance and advice to us,” Zafra said.

“Although, at the end of the day, it will always be the council who will decide.”

Osmeña says rules seek to silence him

Osmeña, however, maintained that the amendments effectively prevent him from participating in legislative debates.

“Well, obviously, they don’t want me to talk,” the vice mayor said in an earlier interview.

Under the revised House Rules, the vice mayor may no longer participate in deliberations after relinquishing the chair, sponsor legislative measures, chair committees, or approve the filing of proposed ordinances and resolutions. His voting authority remains limited to breaking tie votes.

Despite the changes, Osmeña vowed to continue speaking publicly on issues affecting Cebu City.

“I’ll just keep on fighting,” he said.

The council majority has maintained that the amendments simply align the city’s internal rules with the DILG’s interpretation of the Local Government Code, while the minority continues to argue that the opinion carries only persuasive—not binding—authority and should not curtail the vice mayor’s traditional participation in legislative proceedings.

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