By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran yesterday said City Councilor Ricardo Tan has not attended regular Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) sessions since being ambushed by motorcycle-riding gunmen last December in Bacolod City’s Barangay Alangilan.

In a radio interview with RMN DYHB-Bacolod, Familiaran stated, based on his experience previously serving as a city councilor, Tan would not be able to exhaust all his leave credits until his term ends later this year.

He also explained, under the Human Resource Management Office, city councilors are only allowed to report on session day, which is every Wednesday.

The SP also does not have rules on how many times a council member can be absent.

“If you want to a file a leave there is no problem with it–it’s your privilege,” Familiaran explained.

The vice mayor also reiterated his earlier comments suggesting Tan is still in the country, pointing out, the city councilor’s original signature is needed when securing leave documents and other papers.

Despite Tan’s absence, the vice mayor noted the council member can still serve via his staff.

Over the weekend, a source inside the Bacolod City government informed Watchmen Daily Journal that Tan is reportedly no longer in the city and has fled overseas.

Tan’s fellow SP members were not able to confirm his whereabouts.

Duterte had earlier accused Tan, along with five high-ranking members of the Bacolod City Police Office, of being linked to illegal drugs./DGB, WDJ