Majority in Dagupan SP seeks cover-up in DBM inquiry
CITY Secretary Ryan Ravanzo was directed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) by a vote of 7 to 5 to draft a reply to the January 11, 2023 letter from the Department of Budget and Management inquiring about the status of Proposed Supplemental Budget No.1 in 2022.
Councilor Redford Erfe-Mejia’s motion, seconded by fellow majority Councilors Alfie Fernandez and Irene Lim-Acosta directed Ravanzo to reply, incorporating his manifestation towards the end of the session on December 27, 2022 that Proposed Supplemental Budget No. 2 be renamed PSB No. 1
The motion of Erfe-Mejia, chair of the committee on finance, budget and appropriations that conducted committee hearing and submitted committee report on Supplemental Budget No. 2, was supported by all his colleagues in the majority but rejected by all five members of the minority led by Councilor Michael Fernandez.
DBM Regional Director Ria Bansigan’s inquiry partly reads: “We have noted that the AO (Appropriations Ordinance) approving PSB No. 1 for CY 2022 of that City is not yet submitted to this office for review. As such, may we respectfully request update on its status as the same may have implication on the effective review of the herein submitted AO.”
Councilor Fernandez who authored PSB No. 1 and PSB No. 2 and the subsequent PSB No. 3, said he and his fellow members in the minority opposed the motion not only because Section 323 of the Local Government Code states that since the annual city budget has not yet been passed, no other matter, except the budget, can be discussed, but because in the passage of PSB No. 2, he cannot recall any amendment introduced by Erfe-Mejia to change PSB No. 2 to PSB No. 1.
Fernandez suggested to City Secretary Ravanzo that his reply to DBM should include the minutes of the session on December 27, 2022 quoting Erfe-Mejia: “Your honor, I’d like to manifest… that upon passage of the said Appropriation Ordinance, it will be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for further review as Supplemental Budget No. 1. Thank you.”
City Secretary Ravanzo reminded Erfe-Mejia earlier there was no formal instruction from the presiding officer. (Leonardo Micua)
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