THOUGH offended by the unstatesmanlike comments of Mayor Benjamin Lim in his partial veto message on the city budget sent on April 1, members of the majority in the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) have decided not to exercise their power to override the veto.

The SP majority members said they believe there is no need for the override because they are confident that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will uphold the P487 million budget that they approved, which is P81 million lower than what was originally proposed by the mayor.

They said they know that the DBM will eventually prove them right in reducing the “excess fat” of P81 million in the proposed budget and that what they did was good for the city and its people.

Meeting after their session last April 4, the members of the majority were unanimous is stating that they agreed during their caucus that they not override the chief executive’s partial veto and as far as they are concerned, their work on the budget is done.

With only Councilor Jesus Canto absent who was on an official business, the councilors decided during the caucus called by Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, also chair of the SP, that they will let the mayor’s partial veto stay and will simply wait for the evaluation and and advice of the DBM.

A copy of the mayor’s partial veto has already been submitted with DBM.

Those in attendance were Councilors Maybelyn Fernandez, Karlos Reyna, Librada Reyna, Alipio Serafin Fernandez, Luis Samson Jr., Jeslito Seen and Alvin Coquia.

RE-ENACTED BUDGET

The councilors said the partial veto means that a re-enacted budget will be applied for all the vetoed items but in no way will the grand total exceed the P487 million budget approved for 2011.

Councilor Alipio Serafin Fernandez, a lawyer, pointed out that a reenacted budget for all the items subject of the partial veto is acceptable and will not cause any major effect on services to the city and people.

“This means magkaroon ng dagdag sa ibang items at mababawasan ang appropriations ng ibang items,” he opined, stressing that he does not want to pre-empt the DBM.

In any case, he said all the sum total of all the items should not exceed the amount of P487 million.

At the same time, Councilor Jeslito Seen, chairman on finance reiterated that the approval of the budget followed strictly the standard set by DBM contrary to the claims of Lim.

He confirmed that the DBM regional office is presently evaluating the ordinance and the veto for the guidance of the city government.

Councilor Liberato Reyna VI for his part said the opinion of Councilor Fernandez reflects the position of DBM Regional Director Atty. Janette Abuel whom they consulted last week.

SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Fernandez also indicated that the sanggunian will act accordingly on any supplemental budget that the mayor may deem necessary.

She cited a recent request of the Liga ng Barangay through executive vice president Joaquin Reyes of Barangay Tapuac for the appropriation of P150,000 per barangay to be used during the Bangus Festival.

This request, however, needs the endorsement of the mayor, she added.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments