VM Kua tells majority bloc, ‘follow Parliamentary Rules’
‘BANGING of the gavel by the presiding officer after a motion to adjourn is duly seconded, is the only way a session can be terminated.’
This is Vice Mayor Bryan Kua’s reaction to the recent ruckus in the October 10 session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod that ended in a walkout by members of the majority bloc.
The vice mayor referenced a response from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to his and the minority members’ letter dated February 21, 2023, which clarified the rules of adjournment during the said October 10 session.
Kua said DILG clarified that until the presiding officer bangs the gavel, a session can continue regardless of a motion to adjourn from any council member.
The motion to adjourn during the October 10 session was made by Councilor Alfie Fernandez and was seconded by members of the majority bloc but Vice Mayor Kua did not recognize or address this motion since the approval of minutes for the September 26 and October 3 sessions were still being discussed.
Kua said the seven majority bloc members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod did not comply with the Local Government Code when they declared the session adjourned and left the proceedings without the presiding officer declaring an adjournment.
Only the vice mayor and the five remaining councilors continued to proceed with the discussion of the “order of business.”
Meanwhile, Kua expressed confusion as to why the majority did not want to approve the minutes of the September 26 and October 3 sessions that four of its members participated in.
Councilor and Minority Floor Leader Michael Fernandez stressed that the approval of the minutes of past sessions is mandatory, and never optional. (Leonardo Micua)
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