TAYTAY, Rizal – Local residents turned to social media to express disappointment at what appears to be the latest Taytay brouhaha, embarking on an extravagant budget hearing allegedly held at the Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Resort in Bagac, Bataan.
The catch – the legislators, mandated under the Local Government Code to deliberate in the budget hearing, were not invited, according to a council member who requested anonymity for fear of possible reprisal.
“Nakakatawang isipin, hindi kami isinali sa pagtalakay ng 2024 budget para sa munisipyo,” according to the council member, adding that only two of the 11-member Sangguniang Bayan were invited to attend what he claimed was “more of a junket.”
When sought for details, the councilor candidly said that all except for Councilors Elaine Leonardo and Lengjoey Calderon were absent in the “budget hearing” that was attended mainly by a top local official, department heads, and section chiefs.
Public Disapproval
In a Facebook post, local folks felt it was improper and appropriate to hold budget deliberation at the high-end facility located 163 kilometers away (roughly 3 hours and 38-minute drive) from the municipal legislative hall.
“Kaya nga tayo may session hall para doon talakayin ang mga usaping lokal. Bakit kailangan pang lumayo at gumastos ng garbo ang munisipyo,” reads a comment of an obviously disappointed resident.
Another netizen finds it rather unusual for the local government to conduct a budget hearing without the Vice Mayor presiding over the council.
“Ang nakakapagtaka lang, absent sa budget hearing ang bumubuo ng Sangguniang Bayan sa pangunguna ni Vice-Mayor Sophia Cabral at mga konsehal na kumakatawan sa Legislative Department.”
In web-based research, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar falls among the most expensive places to go to. For the entrance fee alone, Las Casas is charging P2,500 per head on weekdays and P2,900 per head during weekends. Room rates are pegged at P9,800/ head per night (discounted price).
SB’s Crucial Role
As stipulated under the Local Government Act, the usual procedure for enacting the local government budget requires the concurrence of the Sangguniang Bayan for the approval of the municipal mayor.
Once approved, it is transmitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the province to which the municipality belongs, for compliance review.
On the other hand, when the mayor vetoes an ordinance, it is sent back to the Sangguniang Bayan to reconsider the objections; however, the Sangguniang Bayan may override such veto by a two-thirds vote of all its members which renders the measure's approval.
With regard to ordinances pertaining to appropriations; resolutions for payments of money, the adoption of local development plans or public investment programs, or the creation of liabilities, the mayor may just veto particular items in the budget.
Any veto action must be communicated with the Sangguniang Bayan within 10 days otherwise the ordinance is considered approved.
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