Two lost causes in two cities
THE two key cities in Pangasinan, Dagupan and Urdaneta, today share what could be said to be ‘lost causes’.
In Dagupan City, the opposition in the Sangguniang Panlungsod finally restored its status as the ‘majority’ after it lost the status to the five-member minority when three of its members were suspended for 60 days in November 2024.
Since the suspension of the three councilors in the opposition ended and agreed to comply with the parliamentary procedures – to file resolutions instead of mere motions – the opposition was restored as the majority. But not after they tried to undo everything that the minority, as then as new majority, accomplished, from nullifying the 2025 annual budget and supplementary budgets and other resolutions passed.
However, instead of proceeding with new initiatives to improve lives of Dagupeños, the opposition merely returned with its hubris and arrogance. It offered nothing but bitterness and more criticism of how the minority performed as the majority for 60 days.
Their chance for redemption as honorable public servants to Dagupeños is now a lost cause. They will long be remembered for their arrogance and obstructionism.
In Urdaneta City, Governor Ramon Guico III’s attempts to have Mayor Julio Parayno III suspended and unseated for the duration of the campaign period, ostensibly to remove any opposition to the bid of his wife, First Lady Maan Guico, to be the city’s next mayor, failed.
Mr. Parayno, was quick to counter the governor’s moves and stayed on as the mayor. As the governor continued to belabor the process for his suspension, Mr. Parayno moved to invoke Comelec’s rule that prohibits the suspension or termination of government employees during the campaign period. That made the governor’s position moot. Mr. Parayno is staying on as the city mayor for the duration of the campaign period.
The governor’s plan for Urdaneta is now a lost cause. His wife’s bid to become the city mayor of Urdaneta will remain an uphill fight. Meanwhile, the governor has his political battle to fight vs former Gov. Amado Espino III.
But both the governor and the opposition in Dagupan can still turn their situations around. All they need to do is to focus on efforts and activities promoting good governance.
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