By Farah G. Decano

WHEN former Mayor Al Fernandez, Jr. proudly presented to the public his administration’s annual savings, the astute political observer Atty. Gonzalo Duque offered a sharp counter: savings often resulted from unimplemented or poorly planned projects.

Following this logic, we cannot help but question the recent narrative that the swiftness of passing the city’s 2026 almost two-billion-peso budget automatically signals exemplary governance.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod may rightly be lauded for its efficient work processes in enacting the budget at the earliest time in recent memory. In fact, this achievement can suggest that the Executive Branch was highly organized, submitting voluminous documents well ahead of the statutory deadline, thus allowing for earlier review.

However, this triumph is a double-edged sword that demands close scrutiny of the other possibility.

Historically, budget deliberations took one to two months for meticulous review, followed by weeks of plenary debate, often pushing final enactment into the new year.

Was the past process simply less dedicated, or did it prioritize rigorous due diligence?

One major difference stands out in the current context: the legislative body includes only a single, lone opposition member.

Is the absence of effective, organized critique the true driver of this legislative speed? Thinking critically — as Tito Gonz would — one must consider the other, but concerning, possibility: that some council members have effectively become rubber stamps, failing in their duty to serve as a genuine check and balance on the executive branch.
Dagupan requires its budget to be built on wisdom and comprehensive scrutiny, not haste.

*          *          *          *

It does not help that there is a developing perception of ineptitude by the newbie legislators.

One department head reported to this writer that some of them were purportedly unfamiliar with the details during deliberations, merely following the lead without independent thought. If true, this indicates that these elected representatives are being “spoon-fed” information, which undermines authentic representation.

Furthermore, the public is hearing persistent whispers that certain neophyte legislators suddenly exhibit an alleged increase in personal wealth. Multiple sources also say that these new politicians allegedly exude an overbearing, entitled attitude because of their proximity to the most powerful.

If true, are we developing new trapos?  Sana hindi. Umayos po kayo dahil pinag-uusapan na kayo.  I would like to give you guys the benefit of the doubt.

Maaring kontrobersyal kayo dahil totoo ang tsismis, or, sadyang marami lang naiinggit sa inyo.

*          *          *          *

Going back to the 2026 Annual Budget, we sincerely hope that it is truly responsive to the city’s complex needs and that it embodies the most efficient and responsible use of our scarce resources.

If this unprecedented swiftness was genuinely the result of diligent, painstaking, and collaborative work that yielded a fiscally sound document, then congratulations are absolutely deserved.