SP majority defers action on hijacked ordinance

By September 23, 2024Inside News

ORIGINALLY AUTHORED BY MINORITY

THE majority in the Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod hastily deferred a proposed ordinance with all its seven members as authors, but which the minority councilors again claimed as their own.

Calendared for second reading during the September 17 regular session of the Sanggunian was Draft Ordinance No. 0-896, which will formally recognize Barangay Lasip Chico as the Lechon Capital of Dagupan City, establishing a lechon festival every first Saturday of May, and to make it as one of the integral events of the annual Bangus Festival.

Per the agenda released by the SP secretariat, the new authors of the ordinance are Councilors Librada Reyna, Alvin Coquia, Marlou Fernandez, Alfie Fernandez, Irene Lim-Acosta and Redford Erfe-Mejia, all of the majority.

Saying that the majority bloc has not stopped its illegal practice of claiming every ordinance and resolution filed by the minority bloc, Councilor and Minority Floor Leader Michael Fernandez claimed that it was his group — composed of him, Councilors Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Marcelino Fernandez and Bradley Benavidez — who crafted the ordinance.

He said like in the past, the majority merely changed the docket number of the ordinance and placed their names as authors.

Cornered by Fernandez’ assertion that the majority bloc was again trying to hijack an ordinance filed by the minority, Councilor and Majority Floor Leader Reyna apologized and explained that it was just a case of miscommunication with the SP secretary that it was not for action but merely as information that it will introduce a total overhaul of the ordinance.

She said her group wants to replace the draft with a different measure that will still recognize Lasip Chico as Lechon Capital of Dagupan and institutionalize an annual Lechon Festival, but will not be a part of the Bangus Festival. (Leonardo Micua)

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