No 2/3 vote provision in old SP House Rules
OPPOSITION COUNCILORS DISPROVEN
THERE was nothing in the House Rules drafted on July 7, 2022 and supposedly amended in October 2023 that requires 2/3 of the votes of all members present to amend or change the same claim contrary to the claim of the new opposition councilors in the Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
This was pointed out by acting-Majority Leader Councilor Michael Fernandez, who responded to the charge of opposition Councilor Alvin Coquia’s assertion that the new house rules under Resolution No. 8175-2024 enacted by the new majority was not validly passed because only five councilors voted for the measure while three voted in the negative and, therefore, did not meet the 2/3 vote as required in the old majority’s amended House Rules.
Fernandez asked SP Secretary Ria Manuel to cite the supposed relevant provision in the old House Rules contained in Resolution No. 7927 passed by the SP on July 7, 2022, and the latter responded there was none.
This comes as another setback for the now undermanned seven-member opposition in the SP after three were meted preventive suspension for 60 days per an order dated October 30, 2024 by the Office of the President.
Coquia, who was designated acting presiding officer by Acting Vice Mayor Librada Reyna, insisted that the 2/3 vote requirement was provided for in a written manifestation of the then majority bloc in October 2023.
When again asked to verify this claim, Manuel said there was no such resolution, manifestation or even a draft with such amendment.
The changes in the Dagupan SP took place when shortly after the letter from the Office of the President ordering the preventive suspension of Councilors Redford Erfe-Mejia, Alipio Serafin Fernandez and Victoria Czarinna Lim-Acosta was read, then minority Councilor Jeslito Seen moved that all committees be declared vacant and put forward another resolution making Councilor Michael Fernandez as acting majority floor leader. Both measures were voted 5-3 by all councilors present, excluding the three suspended.
When Councilor Fernandez moved for the adoption of a new house rules, the four remaining opposition councilors staged a walkout. (Leonardo Micua)
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