‘WE ARE HELD HOSTAGE’: Antique gov’t struggles to operate as budget proposals stall in SP

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The provincial government of Antique is facing operational delays after several crucial budget proposals were stalled, despite the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) achieving a quorum earlier in September.

In its session on Wednesday, October 2, only eight SP members were present, preventing the approval of the province’s Supplemental Budget No. 2. This session followed the regular Monday session, which was recessed.

Five SP members were physically present at the Legislative Building, while three ex-officio members joined via Zoom.

Vice Governor Edgar Denosta was absent due to official business.

Dante Beriong, the temporary presiding officer in Denosta’s absence, stated through the public information office that the meeting was adjourned since not all SP members were fully present.

“Even though eight of us were present, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) requires an affirmative vote of eight members for any authorization of a supplemental or regular budget,” Beriong explained.

As Beriong was acting as the temporary presiding officer, only seven members were available to vote on the proposed Supplemental Budget.

Under DBM guidelines, a supplemental or regular budget requires an affirmative vote from the majority of all SP members to pass an Appropriation Ordinance.

The stalled Supplemental Budget No. 2, totaling more than PHP 1.22 billion, includes allocations for salaries of job order and contractual workers.

Other pending proposals include funding for the educational assistance program for 3,800 scholars, the upcoming 50th Binirayan Festival, salary increases for permanent employees, and various village development projects.

‘We Are Being Held Hostage’

Governor Rhodora Cadiao expressed frustration, accusing allies of Congressman Agapito Antonio “AA” Legarda of deliberately stalling the operations of her administration ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

“We are being held hostage by Legarda’s allies in the SP,” she told Daily Guardian, stressing her growing exasperation over the congressman’s political maneuvering.

Cadiao believes the delays in approval are politically motivated and intended to disrupt governance in the province.

“When a budget is being deliberated, there should be no other business until it is approved or disapproved, but they keep calling recess after recess to meet again next week,” she emphasized.

The governor further alleged that a powerful political figure is exerting influence over the legislative body.

“I’ve been appealing to them (SP) that when a budget is being deliberated, any legislator knows it is of utmost importance and urgency,” she said.

Cadiao also revealed plans to file an administrative case against Vice Governor Denosta with the Ombudsman due to his chronic absenteeism from council duties.