By Leonardo Micua

 

THE recent actions of Dagupan City’s lone opposition councilor, Librada “Dada” Reyna, have sparked considerable discussions and scrutiny within political circles, particularly given the current composition of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

With an overwhelming “Super Majority” of 11 members allied with Mayor Belen Fernandez, many are questioning Councilor Reyna’s strategic and quite unconventional approach in the session hall.

This comes in contrast to the previous SP, where Reyna served as the majority floor leader, wielding significant influence alongside six other councilors who opposed Mayor Fernandez’s administration.

During that period, the bloc was known for meticulously scrutinizing proposed measures, often demanding extensive documentation — even for seemingly inconsequential items — and requiring the presence of department heads in lengthy, closed-door committee hearings.

Approvals were rare, and when granted, often involved significant revisions to the original text, leading to accusations of plagiarism when their versions were adopted en toto as their own.

A particularly notable incident that remains fresh in the minds of Dagupeños was the delayed passage of the 2024 annual budget.

Approved on September 26, 2023, more than nine months behind schedule, its passage only occurred when three opposition councilors were simultaneously vacationing abroad. At that time, Councilor Reyna and her three remaining colleagues opted to join the session via Zoom, eventually logging out, which paved the way for the five minority councilors present in the session hall to pass the ordinance approving the budget.

Now, with tables turned, Reyna appears to be experiencing a taste of her own medicine. As the sole opposition voice, she has not been recognized as minority leader nor assigned chairmanship or membership in any of the standing committees.

Despite this shift in dynamics, old habits seemingly persist. Reyna recently penned a letter to Mayor Fernandez requesting documents containing data related to the widespread flooding in Dagupan City on July 23.

This request was made as if the submission of these documents were a prerequisite for approving a resolution to declare Dagupan under a state of calamity during an urgently convened special session at the Dagupan City People’s Astrodome, as City Hall had become inaccessible due to rising floodwaters.

Reyna framed her request as an independent endeavor or just by herself, citing transparency and public accountability as her motivations for seeking documents to serve as a basis for discussion of the state of calamity.

However, Councilor and Floor leader Michael Fernandez refuted her stance, asserting that Reyna does not represent the SP, emphasizing that as a collegial body, the SP speaks through resolutions and ordinances, and not through a letter from a single member.

Councilor Fernandez dared Reyna to make a motion regarding her letter request, but the latter was hesitant as she had no one to second her motion.

Even more pointed was the reaction of Vice Mayor and SP Presiding Officer Bryan Kua. In response to Reyna’s letter, Kua remarked: “You walked out when the 2025 annual budget was being passed, and now you’re asking for documents. Nakatutuwa naman!”

For context, the 2025 annual budget was passed during a period when three opposition councilors faced a 60-day preventive suspension from the Office of the Presidente. At that time, Reyna and her three colleagues, outnumbered by the minority, walked out of the session hall, choosing not to participate in further proceedings.

Furthermore, Kua dismissed the request of Reyna for a driver, a secretary, and an administrative staff, and went on to challenge Reyna to go to the DILG for an opinion if she believed his actions as vice mayor and presiding officer were out of bounds, assuring her he would readily respond.

In a surprising direct statement, the usually subdued Kua offered a piece of advice to the lady councilor: “I suggest, tumabi na lang po kayo sa gilid at manood na lang (I suggest you just step aside and watch).”

The statement reverberates and serves as a clear indication of the current political landscape within the Dagupan City council and the firm stance of its leadership.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments