A motion of Second District Board Member Von Mark Mendoza asking the Sangguniang Panlalawigan plenary to revert back to the discussion period after Supplemental Budget No. 4 was already unanimously passed by the body was turned down by 10 provincial board members.

During the division of the house, only two board members sided with Mendoza and voted “yes” to his  motion while 10 others thumbed it down. There were 13 board members present during the May 27 regular session of the SP.

Vice Governor and SP presiding officer Mark Lambino said it needs a vote of 10 from the 13 board members present to overturn the decision of the chair declaring the measure as carried per the rules and procedures approved by the legislative body.

Sixth District Board  Member Noel Bince, a lawyer, objected to Mendoza’s motion, and considered the same as “unparliamentary”.

He said this is not only inconsistent with the rules of the SP but also sets a dangerous precedence, discussing a measure that was already approved.

Mendoza said since Supplemental Budget No. 4 consisted of voluminous documents, he failed to speak up on all the topics during the period of discussion.

Supplemental Budget No. 4 is funded by P71 million sourced from savings from various offices and most of these were being reappropriated to fund some expenses of different offices of the provincial government, including the 14 hospitals being run by the province.

Asked by Second District Board Member Nestor Reyes on what part of the already approved Supplemental Budget No. 4 that he wants to be discussed, Mendoza replied it is in the P12 million appropriated as retirement benefits of outgoing officials of the provincial government.

On hearing the results of the  voting read by SP Secretary Verna Perez, Mendoza told the chair: “I submit, your honor”. (Leonardo Micua)

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