Dagupan SP ends sessions with no resolutions passed
DUE TO DEADLOCK OVER PROCEDURES
THE Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) again abruptly adjourned its regular session last week after the opposition councilors took Councilor Michael Fernandez to task for assuming the role of floor leader when his five-man group composed the minority, but when Fernandez challenged his colleagues to call for an election and to start nominating candidates, they refused.
Thus, the impasse in the SP continues as the majority refuses to recognize Fernandez as floor leader and asserts Councilor Librada Reyna holds the position and was never replaced late last year when three members of the majority were placed on a 60-day preventive suspension by the Office of the President.
The majority councilors are also unwilling to pass a numbered resolution restoring the old Internal Rules of Procedures enacted on July 5, 2022 and supposedly amended by them by reading their written manifestation on October 17, 2023.
Apart from their written manifestation, the majority again insisted on their motion declaring that their old house rules remained in effect uninterruptedly until today and any acts undertaken contrary to the same are declared illegal and ultra vires.
Vice Mayor Bryan Kua, on the other hand, maintains his past ruling rejecting such motion and all other motions that would invalidate all actions of the minority councilors when three majority councilors were under suspension unless the changes are made through filed resolutions.
The deadlock came down to petty arguments over such basic matters like the reading of the minutes of the previous session.
As in previous sessions this year, after delivering a written manifestation, one of the highlights of which was a no-confidence vote on Fernandez as majority floor leader, Councilor Redford Erfe-Mejia moved for the adjournment of the session, again leaving the chamber unable to discuss any item in the agenda.
But before the majority‘s written manifestation, the minority also sarcastically read the titles of 178 resolutions and ordinances they passed from November to December, 2024 when the three opposition councilors were under suspension. (Leonardo Micua)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
