AFTER WALKING OUT OF 3 PREVIOUS SESSIONS

OPPOSITION councilors who now compose the new minority in the Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) did not attend the December 3 session in an apparent boycott that forced an adjournment and further delays in pending ordinances and resolutions.

The four councilors staged walkouts in the previous three consecutive weeks starting November 5, the day when three of their colleagues started serving their 60-day preventive suspension imposed by the Office of the President.

During Tuesday’s roll call conducted by Acting City Secretary Ria Manuel, it was learned that Acting Vice Mayor Librada Reyna was on sick leave while Councilors Alvin Coquia, Marilou Fernandez and Celia Lim were simultaneously on leave.

The only ones present in the session hall were Councilors Jeslito Seen, who acted as temporary presiding officer, new Majority Floor Leader Michael Fernandez, Marcelino Fernandez and Bradley Benavidez.

Councilor Dennis Canto was on privilege leave.

Since the four councilors in the session hall cannot constitute a quorum, Seen ordered three roll calls at five-minute intervals to give the new minority councilors to arrive before adjourning the session.

Before Seen banged the gavel adjourning the session, Majority Floor Leader Fernandez manifested his frustration over the opposition’s no-show as there are pressing matters that need to be taken up, including two proposed ordinances and two resolutions that were not discussed in previous sessions due to the walkouts. (Leonardo Micua)

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