COUNCILOR Michael Fernandez, speaking before city government employees during the flag-raising ceremony at the Dagupan City Plaza last November 25, said God continuously smiles on the administration of Mayor Belen Fernandez given the series of legal victories against the political opposition in the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).

He cited the preventive suspension of three of the seven opposition councilors on order of the Office of the President dated October 30. 2024, which became effective on November 5, and a decision of the Regional Trial Court denying the petition for Declaratory Relief with Prayer for Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order on November 11, 2024 regarding the passage of the 2023 budget.

An opinion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on November 12 also upholds that with the suspension of the three councilors, a remaining set of six members of the SP, including the vice mayor, can constitute a quorum, and therefore can pass an appropriation ordinance.

Fernandez said Vice Mayor Bryan Kua and the new majority in the Sanggunian composed of Councilors Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Marcelino Fernandez and Bradley Benavides and himself wrote the DILG on the matter for clarification.

“Ang sagot ng DILG sa amin was dapat po, may anim na miyembro para magkaroon ng quorum at magpasa ng appropriation ordinance,” he said at Monday’s flag ceremony.

With the passage of the 2025 budget of P1.63 billion by the new majority in the SP, the mandated salary increase of city government employees will be amply provided, he said.

His statements were seconded by Councilors Seen and Canto. (Leonardo Micua) 

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