Joy Belmonte: ‘I do not have the power to sign contracts’

I would like to correct an error in the article “Bautista, Belmonte end rift but…” (Metro, 4/3/19) by Mariejo S. Ramos.

The article stated that “Another reason, Belmonte had added, was her refusal to sign contracts for infrastructure projects that were already implemented even before her office had a chance to review these.”

I would like to clarify that I do not have the power to sign contracts as vice mayor. The city council, as led by the vice mayor, gives authority for the mayor to enter into contracts after all the necessary documentary attachments have been reviewed.

As presiding officer of the city council, my mandate is to ensure that all necessary documentary requirements are in place before authority is granted. Should projects have already commenced prior to the granting of this authority, it is the council’s duty to ensure that these requirements are still submitted to our review prior to ratification.

Per the Local Government Code, the city council is the mandated arm of the local government to conduct checks and balances. Hence, I—and the council—have no direct role in signing contracts.

MA. JOSEFINA BELMONTE, vice mayor, Quezon City