In a closely contested decision, the Cebu City Council has voted 8-7 to reject a proposed resolution that would have allowed the Asian College of Technology International Education Foundation (ACTIEF) Pit-os Campus to participate in the city's scholarship program. This outcome concludes months of intense debate and directly impacts hundreds of students from upland barangays who were hoping for easier access to tertiary education.
Resolution Details and Intent
Authored by Councilor Alvin Arcilla, the resolution aimed to authorize Mayor Nestor Archival to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with ACTIEF. The primary goal was to facilitate educational opportunities for students residing in northern mountain barangays, many of whom face significant challenges such as lengthy travel times and high transportation costs when attending schools in the city proper. By integrating ACTIEF's Pit-os campus into the scholarship program, the measure sought to alleviate these burdens and promote higher education accessibility.
Opposition and Legal Concerns
The majority bloc, consisting of Councilors Mikel Rama, Harold Kendrick Go, Jun Alcover, Jaypee Labella, Joel Garganera, Philip Zafra, Dave Tumulak, and Harry Eran, voted against the proposal. Their decision was heavily influenced by a report from the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling, chaired by Rama, which highlighted several critical issues.
Key concerns included:
- A potential conflict of interest, as ACTIEF is owned by the family of Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa, raising questions under the Local Government Code regarding contracts with entities linked to sitting officials within the second degree of consanguinity.
- Procedural gaps, notably the absence of formal documentation from the Cebu City College Scholarship Program Committee confirming the school's accreditation prior to the resolution's endorsement.
- References to past scholarship-related transactions and a previously dismissed criminal case, with the committee emphasizing that dismissal does not necessarily eliminate ethical concerns.
The committee's report stated, "The dismissal of a criminal case does not automatically sanitize a transaction from ethical defects," underscoring the need for institutional prudence in such matters.
Reactions and Implications
Despite clarifications and documents presented by ACTIEF representatives during executive sessions, the majority remained unconvinced, leading to an emotional response from students who attended the session. Many were seen in tears after the vote, expressing that the Pit-os campus offered a more accessible option for pursuing higher education without the added financial strain of daily travel or relocation expenses.
Councilor Arcilla expressed disappointment over the outcome, reiterating that students from mountain barangays are among those most in need of government support for education. While the City Legal Office had earlier found the proposed MOA compliant with existing laws, the council ultimately prioritized caution, voting to err on the side of addressing potential conflicts of interest.
With the resolution's rejection, ACTIEF's Pit-os Campus will not be included in the city's scholarship program for the foreseeable future, leaving affected students uncertain about their educational options moving forward. This decision highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing educational accessibility with legal and ethical governance in local government initiatives.
