THE five-minority in the Dagupan Sanggunian went on record last week seeking to invalidate the new amendments introduced by the opposition in the Internal Rules of Procedures or House Rules of the Sangguniang Panlungsod constantly being cited by the latter to justify regularity of its actions and recommendations.

But simply putting it on record was all that it achieved. Nothing changed in the running of affair at the sanggunian after Councilor and Minority Floor Leader Michael Fernandez questioned the validity of another submitted written manifestation of the majority during the March 5 regular session, simply citing the new amendments without an approved resolution on the issue.

He raised the irregularity after City Secretary Ryan Ravanzo confirmed that there was no resolution and approval of the new amendments introduced by the opposition-majority attested by both the Presiding Officer and City Secretary.

Ravanzo said in lieu of a resolution in prescribed form, there was only a written manifestation and a vote by the majority.

Among the questioned amendments arrogated the to the majority, the powers of the Presiding Officer and of the City Secretary, including the former the power to rule on a motion granted the Presiding Officer by the Local Government Code (LGC).

Fernandez even cited Article 107 of the LGC that states that the IRP can only be amended by a proposed resolution, as he questioned the regularity of another written manifestation of the majority claiming more authority based on new provisions it introduced to the IRP.

He reminded the opposition that the LGC states that any submitted and approved resolution or ordinance must be made in writing, containing an “assigned number, caption and enacting or ordaining clause containing its proposed effectivity.”

However, all it took was for opposition Councilor Alfie Fernandez, a lawyer, to maintain that amendments to the House Rules of the Sanggunian do not need a resolution, citing the IRP of the Senate of the Philippines.

Minority Leader Fernandez found the opinion of the majority flawed and the debate ended, retaining the status quo, particularly, in the way the affairs of the sanggunian are run by the majority regardless of what the LGC provides.

When The PUNCH’s managing editor Leonardo Micua sent a text to the Minority Leader Fernandez asking whether he and his colleagues will file a case with the DILG seeking clarification on the issue he raised, there was no response.  (Ermin Garcia Jr.)

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