SP majority’s third attempt to nullify 2023 budget blocked

By October 30, 2023Top Stories

IN an ongoing battle within the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dagupan, the minority bloc thwarted another attempt to invalidate the 2023 annual budget ordinance.

Councilor Irene Lim-Acosta of the majority bloc, resumed efforts to nullify the budget’s approval on September 26, citing a Supreme Court decision to support her claim that a vote of 7 is required.

She cited the Supreme Court decision in Correla versus PhilKonstrak Development Corporation and Vito Rapa (G.R. No. 218663) to back her assertion, that an exception to Article 107 (g) of the Internal Rules and Regulations of the Local Government Code applies in the majority’s case.

Recall that the move to invalidate the approved budget was already discussed during the October 10 and 17 regular sessions, and the majority failed because the presiding officer ruled that only those present during the voting on the budget can certify to the minutes of the meeting.

Based on the Supreme Court decision cited by Lim-Acosta. The general rule is that no ordinance or resolution can be passed without the prior approval of all members present.; and the only exception states that for ordinances or resolutions authorizing or directing the payment of money or creating a liability, what is needed is the affirmative vote “of the Sanggunian members, whether present or not.”

Recall that Lim-Acosta her mother, Councilor Celia Lim and Councilor Alfie Fernandez were on separate vacation leaves.

In response to Lim-Acosta’s claim that the passage of the budget was “fraudulent, falsified, illegal, and erroneous,” Minority Floor Leader Michael Fernandez asked City Secretary Ravanzo to provide the exact records of the Sanggunian during the September 26 session.

City Secretary Ravanzo confirmed that there were 10 Sanggunian members who answered the roll call on September 26, including Vice Mayor Kua and nine city councilors—five from the minority and four from the majority. He also certified that based on the records, not one member from the majority bloc introduced an amendment, and during the period of objection, no one registered an objection. Consequently, the measure was carried without any amendments or objections.

Councilor Fernandez further inquired whether the Sangguniang Panlungsod received a certificate of urgency for the budget ordinance’s approval from Mayor Belen Fernandez, and City Secretary Ravanzo confirmed that it was received by the secretariat on June 27, 2023, along with the draft ordinance.

Lim-Acosta had no response to Councilor Fernandez’s explanation. (Leonardo Micua)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments