CAN the approval of the minutes of a precious session be deferred indefinitely?

This issue became the subject of another redundant debate between the majority and the minority in the Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod when the majority bloc moved to defer approval of the minutes of the March 12, 2024 regular session, when only the five minority councilors were present and all the seven opposition councilors were absent.

Councilor and Minority Floor Leader Michael Fernandez objected to the deferment of the approval of the minutes, citing Section 52, paragraph “e” of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code) which states: “Each Sanggunian shall keep journal and records of its proceedings which may be published upon resolution of the Sanggunian concerned.”

Fernandez said the Local Government Code (LGC) supersedes the Internal Rules of Procedures of the Sanggunian.

It was not the first time for the majority to reject provisions of the LGC  and was always invoking its privilege, including written manifestations read at the start of the session, specifying only topics they want to be discussed during regular sessions.

When asked by Fernandez to elaborate on their motion to defer approval of the minutes of the March 12, 2014 regular session, Councilor and Majority Floor Leader Librada Macalanda simply said there was no quorum.

However she explained later that they sought only the deferment of the approval of the minutes and not its deletion but also to enable them to thoroughly review its contents.

Opposition Councilor Alfie Fernandez said there was no quorum during the March 12 session to start with, so there was no session and therefore there are no minutes to approve.

Councilor Redford Erfe-Mejia charged that the minority councilors used the session as a venue to discredit members of the majority.

Councilors Fernandez (Michael), Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Marcelino Fernandez and Bradley Benavides, as well as Vice Mayor and SP presiding officer Bryan Kua answered the roll call made by City Secretary Ryan Ravanzo.

Absent were Macalanda, Alfie Fernandez, Redford Erfe-Mejia, Alvin Coquia, Marilou Fernandez, Celia Lim and her daughter, Irene Lim-Acosta. They were not on leave, since their leave applications were only filed 11:57 am., or one hour after the session started at 10:00 a.m.

After all the arguments, the majority voted to defer the approval of the minutes.

The minority bloc did not indicate if the issue will be raised before the DILG. (Leonardo Micua) 

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