By Farah G. Decano

 

THE animosity of the majority faction against Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez must be so fiercely personal that they are ready to sacrifice their respective political careers just to cause her extreme vexation and her possible downfall.

As per my source, the proposed supplemental budgets and the 2023 annual budget have not been enacted by the City Council because of the delaying tactics employed by the majority, also known as Magic 7. Allegedly, no reasonable excuse has been offered for such delay.

Inconvenienced by the inaction or the turtle-paced response of the Magic 7, some people have already flocked to the Sanggunian to express their impatience, their anger, their desperation and disappointment.

The majority, unable to face the nagging questions of the public, thought of a strategy that would save them from accountability. The Magic 7, according to my source, have decided to restrict the budget hearings to selected invitees only.  They have also chosen the conference room as venue for the committee hearings which room could comfortably sit only around twenty people. The said new location for the committee sessions is where the City Council members usually meet whenever the entire body agree to go into an executive session. The latter session is resorted to when the concern to be deliberated upon is so sensitive that public discussion thereof will likely damage the interest of the city. One such topic is that which affects public safety and has tendency to cause panic.

The consultation and hearing on the proposed budget do not fall among the exceptions of a public meeting.

These moves by the Magic 7 contradict the tradition of openness in the Dagupan City Council. Committee hearings have always been held at the biggest hall of the legislative building because the more in attendance, the better. The elected officials then were in unison with their values – they believed that the citizenry had the right to be informed and be consulted of the policies of government.   The moves to prejudice the citizens are also against good public policy.  Transparent governance encourages citizens’ participation and interaction. How can there be such meaningful involvement when the Dagupan constituency have limited access to public debate on issues that concern them?

I was also informed of the wanton disregard for respect and diplomacy in the Sanggunian. During my time as councilor when the factions also abound in the city council, the members never lost sight of the importance of savoir-faire behavior.  Parliamentary rules reigned. The majority and minority called out their own misbehaving members. “It’s a far cry now,” said my source, “wala ng attempt to cover up one’s irritation. Wala nang respeto pati kina Mayor at Vice Mayor.”

Antoy nagagawa natan? Grabe met so diskusyunan nen Vice-Mayor Alvin Fernandez tan Councilor Jojo Guadiz nen saman, pero aga met asabi-sabi so bastusan ed sanggunian.

I was told that the motivation of  some Sangguniang members’ is simply  their   hostility against the present Mayor. It   is so deep-seated that it dates back to several years ago. To some, even decades.

May I remind you, your honors, that you come from illustrious and well-bred families. The reported ill-behavior that some of you allegedly exude is something I could not believe.

Atagey so pakanengneng ko ed sikayo. 

To the city council members, please do not let your respectable origins down.   I hope you do not allow your antagonism against the mayor redefine how the Dagupeños have always known you to be.

I am sure, you would not want to have a taint in your track record that – there was once in your political career that you disregarded public rights and that you violated the citizenry’s right to information.

For what? Your uncontrollable urge to get back at Mayor Belen? I tell you, you are worth more than your present rage.

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