Dagupan SP majority councilors boycott session anew
AGENDA: DBM REPORT ON 2023 BUDGET
THE seven-members of the majority in the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dagupan were again a no-show in their June 13 session, the second consecutive session that they did not appear for the session that started past 10:00 a.m. at the third floor of the Legislative Building at City Hall.
The reason? Councilors Red Erfe-Mejia, Celia Lim, Irene Lim-Acosta, Alfie Fernandez, Librada Reyna-Macalanda, Alvin Coquia and Marilou Fernandez reportedly found it more compelling to attend the oath-taking ceremony of members of the Manlingkor Ya Kalangweran (MYK) at the city plaza than attend the SP session that day that scheduled to report out the Department of Budget and Management’s decision declaring the 2023 Annual Budget passed by the seven as “inoperative in its entirety.”
Only Councilors Michael Fernandez, Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Marcelino Fernandez and Vice Mayor and SP presiding officer Bryan Kua responded to the first and second roll calls. Councilor Joshua Bugayong was online via zoom.
Councilor and Minority Floor Leader Fernandez said all the minority members also received their invitations from DepEd Dagupan but they chose to be at the session hall because it was their sworn duty to be present in all regular sessions.
Councilor Fernandez was scheduled to deliver a privilege speech on the DBM’s decision declaring the 2023 annual budget of Dagupan as “inoperative in its entirety effective immediately.”
With no quorum, the regular session was adjourned.
City Information Officer Dave Paragas, told THE PUNCH, that the position of the seven majority councilors that Mayor Belen Fernandez should be blamed because they proceeded to the city plaza to honor her invitation only to find out the venue was changed is not valid.
The seven councilors reportedly waited at the city plaza unaware that the program was being held at the E-Library.
City Secretary Ryan Ravanzo said the DBM report will still be read in next week’s agenda.
Asked about the absence of the SP majority in two consecutive regular sessions of the SP, Ravanzo said everyone except one, filed their leave during the June 6 session, while all attended the oath-taking of Manlingkor Ya Kalangweran officials at the city plaza. (Leonardo Micua)
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