THE Dagupan City government is finally back on its feet, but not how it wanted. Having to work with a reenacted 2022 budget is the only alternative left for the Belen Fernandez administration from where it is expected to pick up the pieces from the chaos created by the political opposition at the Sanggunian Panlungsod.

Gauging from the series of cunning plotting that from the time the seven councilors, namely, Redford Erfe-Mejia, Celia Lim, Librada Reyna-Macalanda, Alfie Fernandez, Alvin Coquia and Marilou Fernandez, comprising the majority, crafted the Internal Rules. The ultimate objective was to compel the Fernandez administration to be left with a reenacted budget in retaliation for the refusal of the city executive to grant them an additional P70,000 monthly allowances representing seven “job order employees’” salaries, each.

The approval of P824.91 million as 2023 annual budget for the city government by the seven councilors only served to confirm their end-game. They knew it was a budget that’s only viable to a third-class municipality, and they, to their credit, correctly predicted that Mayor Belen Fernandez will have no choice but to veto it, and accept a reenacted budget.

Their scheme worked but it happened at a great political cost to them. It backfired! The city executive did not immediately veto the ludicrous budget but allowed it to be implemented for over a week while determining other options. The seven councilors found themselves causing thousands of city hall workers without means of income. Worse, they were seen by city residents how they played their politics, never seen before. It was to be at their expense.

With the veto of the Annual Investment Plan and the 2023 Annual Budget, the Fernandez administration can proceed to maximize implementation of its Unliserbisyo programs, notwithstanding the constraints of the reenacted budget. Given Mayor Fernandez’s track record as chief executive, Dagupeños can still look forward to delivery of enhanced basic services through her touted Unliserbisyo programs and residents will soon forget that a reenacted budget was forced on her administration.

But what should never be forgotten is how the seven arrogant, irresponsible, unscrupulous and unprincipled councilors dared to hold Dagupeños lives hostage for their devious self-centered, corrupt agenda.

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