Lack of quorum hits SP’s first 2013 session

THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) ended 2012 with no session for lack of quorum and started year 2013 with the same situation for lack of quorum anew.

Only Board Members Salvador Escalante, Miller Serondo, Mae Javellana, Thea Mae Dino, Joben Alonzo and Vice Governor Genaro Avarez showed up in Wednesday's first SP regular session for this year.

Those who failed to show up Wednesday were Board Members Renato Gustilo, Nehemias Dela Cruz, Patrick Lacson, Manuel Frederick Ko, Melvin Ibañez, Dino Yulo, Pedro Zayco, Helen Zafra and Raul Rivera.

Board Member Salvador Escalante said that some members of the SP could still be having a hangover for the holiday season that ended last January 1.

He said that he was supposed to present before the SP the Motion for Reconsideration (MR) submitted by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. on the proposed 2013 budget which was earlier disapproved by the SP.

He said that, with respect to the whole body, they will go through the MR for the entire SP to decide on what to do about it.

The MR of Marañon was certified as urgent, he said, so it would still be assigned to the committee and would get the decision of the majority on what to do about it to avoid conflict.

Marañon had proposed P2.2 billion provincial budget for 2013, he said.

Escalante said the governor has 15 days to veto the disapproval of the SP of the said proposed budget.

Attached to the MR, Marañon has also submitted to the SP the breakdown of the 20 percent Development Fund which was one of the bases of the SP for the disapproval of the budget.

Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez, meanwhile, said the action with the SP could happen next Wednesday.

He pointed out that the SP lacks trust and confidence on the executive after majority of the board members found out some questionable budgeting of projects that were already completed during the previous administration.