Unlike congressional or Senate hearings where invited resource persons are toasted hot on their seats answering questions from lawmakers, the session last Friday at city hall turned out a reversal of roles.

City Administrator Walter Toston, who was invited to shed light on the controversial P15M amount appropriated allegedly to pay for a lot in the open dumpsite in Dampas district, instead of answering questions, lambasted city councilors why they did not scrutinize first the appropriation ordinance before approving it.

“Why did you not raise these questions during the deliberation of the ordinance appropriating P15M? Why asked only now,” Toston threw back the question on the city councilors.

“And also, the lot purchase is not yet consummated, why the noise and agitation. It has still to go to numerous processes. To anyone accusing me of making money using my position, if they find a tip of evidence, then I will see you in court,” Toston challenged his accusers.

The city administrator became a subject of radio commentaries and news items, allegedly, as among those behind the anomalous transaction for a purchase of a lot in Dampas, which is assessed at only P200 per square meter at current market value but is to be paid with a grossly overpriced amount of P600/ sq. meter.

Administrator Toston also elicited public indignation when Dampas barangay kagawad Aida Barapon revealed on radio how she was rudely treated and insulted by the city administrator when she inquired about the lot location map.

Toston, however, claimed that not all records at cityhall are for public consumption.

“Just because you are a kagawad, you come to me and demand for records? How about properties of private individuals, they must be protected too unless you have special power of attorney or authority to demand such records,” Toston explained.

“It is media agitating the public that made the issue controversial,” city councilor Danilo Bantugan added.

In attempting to explain the P15M, Bantugan said he is an experienced notary public and in land purchase there are other expenses like capital gains tax, transfer fees, notary services, etc. that are to be paid.

Fellow councilor Bebiano Inting, however, disagreed.

“You cannot fault the public for speculating that there is anomaly in the transaction. It is bad precedence. The council is also to be blamed. You cannot just pluck P15M out of the thin air and then delegating sole authority to one man, the mayor and say bahala na,” Inting said.

Some city councilors are now contemplating to take measures against actuations of invited resource persons like Toston, that displays arrogance and contempt to an august body like the Sangguniang Panlungsod.