Governor Suarez moved to suspend 8 Bokals to pave the way for the remaining minority to pass his budget. With help from close friend Secretary Año, it has become 'minority rules' in Quezon rendering democracy in tatters.
THE DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government ordered Thursday the 60-day preventive suspension against 8 members of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan of Quezon in connection with the disapproval of the province’ 2021 annual budget worth P3.875 billion.
Suspended are board members Claro Talaga Jr., Elizabeth Sio, Romano Franco Talaga, Isaias Ubana II, Roderick Magbuhos, Angelo Eduarte, Ireneo Boongaling and Iris Armando.
The memorandum addressed to Vice Gov. and SP Presiding Officer Samuel Nantes, said the suspension is based on a resolution issued by the Office of the President last Nov. 3.
The DILG said that in line with its supervisory functions over LGUs, it urges Gov. Danilo Suarez “to tirelessly exert more effort to work collaboratively with members of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan and set aside their political differences in the pursuit of common objectives across partisan lines, for the benefit of the people of the Province of Quezon.”
The coup
On Friday, Nov. 12, instead of the 13 SP members attending the regular physical session, only 5 were present -- Obispo, Liwanag, Suarez, Arrogancia and Tan – presided by Nantes.
Obispo immediately stood to propose several drastic changes in the session like the revision of the SP internal rules and procedure, the holding of special session to tackle the backlog of measures such as the approval of the proposed provincial annual budget, supplemental annual investment program and municipal ordinances and resolutions.
Arrogancia tried to question the quorum of the session and its legality to pass measures but BM Suarez, a son of the governor, remarked that there is some jurisprudence to justify the holding of the session.
They agreed to hold regular and special sessions even on weekends to pass the revised annual budget and other money measures.
Minority rules
There seems to be an evil conspiracy among the Office of the President, Suarez, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, and other top Palace officials in undermining democracy in Quezon, where instead of "majority rules" it has now become "minority rules."
The suspended BMs were just doing their job and mandate well -- trying to scrutinize the budget, questioning the details of a P200-million lump sum appropriation that was supposedly for "various projects". They sent back the budget to Suarez for revision, which was not done, even as they sought an audience with Año to explain their side because the governor was claiming the budget was gathering dust at the committee level.
Weaponizing friendship
It is plain to see that Suarez has weaponized his closeness and friendship with Año, starting when he was a young officer and commandant of the Philippine Army's battalion and brigade stationed for months in the Bondoc Peninsula, the territorial turf of the Suarez political dynasty.
There is nothing illegal save for some indelicate issues of delicadeza when Suarez, then House minority leader, reportedly helped the DILG secretary who was then facing confirmation at the Commission on Appointments.
In Philippine politics, exchanging favors is just a given, and is actually expected among power holders and power brokers.
Governor's complaint
Last Oct. 8, Suarez told the local media that he had filed a complaint at the Office of the President last August against the SP 8, some of whom were his former close associates. The complaint was for abuse of authority, oppression, and grave misconduct.
“Nagfile ako ng complaint against them for not passing the budget. Nag-order na sa kanila si Sec. Año na pag may pandemic hindi puwede ang reenacted,” Suarez said.
The 8 SP members disapproved the 2021 proposed annual budget while those who approved it are board members Alona Obispo, Yna Liwanag, Donaldo Suarez, Reynante Arrogancia and Rhodora Tan.
Reenacted budget
“Pag sinabing reenacted budget, it's 2019, wala pang Covid noon, kaya wala akong pondo against Covid-19, up to now. Kaya masakit sa akin, 78 nurses nagresign, iyan ang aking mga frontliners,” Suarez said.
The old man must be having problems with his memory. The reenacted budget should be that of 2020, which has already priced in the funds needed to combat COVID-19. or is Suarez -- like the cantankerous Harry Roque on Quezon Day -- trying to twist the facts about which budget was reenacted?
A reenacted budget means that only the annual appropriations for salaries and wages of existing positions, statutory and contractual obligations, and essential operating expenses authorized in the annual and supplemental budgets for the preceding year are allowed. The use of the 20% development fund is not allowed in a reenacted budget, and this is what riles Suarez, obviously.
Suarez is scared of facing an election year with no access to this fund, because it would mean that he will have to spend more of his own money for the campaign, and also considering the he will be up against a rival candidate who President Duterte characterized as "matigas." (formidable).
We wonder how the governor will obey the admonition of the DILG to "tirelessly exert more effort to work collaboratively with members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and set aside their political differences in the pursuit of common objectives across partisan lines, for the benefit of the people of the Province of Quezon.” (With additional reports by John A. Bello)