TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Cagayan Vice-Governor Melvin “Boy” Vargas, Jr. reiterated that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has always been tackling the budget and plan in their regular sessions, with our without a court mandate.
This is in response to the ruling of the Regional Trial Court partly granting Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba’s petition for mandamus directing the SP to not include in its regular sessions any agenda but the proposed 2017 executive budget.
In a phone interview with The Northern Forum, Vargas said that, although they respect the ruling, he asserted that they have been continuously discussing the matter in formal hearings even outside sessions.
The vice-governor said that the board is still waiting for the original documents and minutes of the meeting of the provincial development council.
“Pagkanasumite na ito at nalaman naming orihinal ang mga dokumento, wala namang problema at maaaprubahan ng pondo,” he said.
“Ang sa atin lang naman kasi ay dumadaan tayo [approval of the provincial plan and budget] sa legalidad at proseso,” the vice-governor added.
Another committee hearing is scheduled on Thursday, August 17.
“Hopefully maipasa nila (executive committee) yung mga hinihingi naming dokumento at mga insertions na dinagdag sa naganap na provincial development council. Maipapasa natin yung pondo with or without the case [ruling],” he said.
He said he will further consult this matter with his legal team.
The SP will hold a mobile session on Wednesday, August 23, in Claveria, Cagayan. Northernforum.net
