Coquia again joins SP session while still in U.S.
WHILE ON VACATION LEAVE
THE plot thickens when Councilor Alvin Coquia, again registered his presence in the November 28 session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, while still on a vacation leave in the United States, amid legal questions about his earlier participation in the session of the legislative body last November 21.
Coquia and Councilor Irene Lim-Acosta were the only members of the SP who participated in the Zoom platform. All the four others, Acting Vice Mayor Librada Macalanda, Marilou Fernandez, Celia Lim, Redford Erfe-Mejia and Alfie Fernandez were in the session hall.
All the minority members of the SP were again not in session as Councilors Jeslito Seen and Dennis Canto, as well as SP Secretary Ryan Ravanzo, were in the delegation of Mayor Belen Fernandez who left on a goodwill mission to Milpitas City on November 19 till 30 and are yet expected to arrive in Dagupan on December 2.
On the other hand, Minority Floor Leader Michael Fernandez and reelected Liga ng mga Barangay president Marcelino are still on official business, while Councilor Joshua Bugayong is already succeeded by Bradley Claude Benavides of Caranglaan, who has yet to report for work as ex-officio councilor.
Acting Mayor Bryan Kua told the PUNCH on Tuesday after the SP session that based on the application for leave of Councilor Coquia filed with the Office of the City Mayor, he is still in the United States on November 28.
In the new manifestation of the majority councilors in the November 28 session, Coquia was listed as one among the signatories despite not being in the Philippines, a situation again deemed illegal.
Members of the majority continued to ignore questions and protests from Councilor Michael Fernandez about Coquia’s illegal participation with their claim that nothing is irregular since its attendance even while on leave is legal because it is provided by the newly amended Internal Rules and Procedures (IRP) .
The majority’s claim that the amended IRP is in place is being disputed by the minority bloc because the new “amended” rules were only contained in written manifestations and not in the form of resolution or ordinance and a violation of the Civil Service Law that provides no one can be on official vacation leave and still perform his her official function at the same time, especially if the official is on a foreign land.
Meanwhile, the minority is still mum on its plans whether to file a case before the DILG to question the legality of the newly amended rules. (Leonardo Micua)
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