Environmental advocacy group Save Palawan has called out Palawan 2nd District Board Member Ryan Maminta in a video highlighting his explanation for the repeated lack of quorum during discussions on a proposed mining moratorium ordinance.
The video montage, which circulated on social media, shows members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan singing and dancing at various gatherings across the province.
It also features a video of Maminta during the January 28 regular session explaining their absence during legislative sessions last year.
“Eh hindi naman inaasahan na walang quorum kasi yung mga member (of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan) talagang maraming nilalakad during those times, Mr. Chair,” Maminta said in the clip.
The video also includes screenshots from Facebook posts by former San Vicente Mayor Pie Alvarez and Board Member Marivic Roxas, showing Maminta and other board members engaged in social activities on November 5, 18, 19, and 25.
“Dear BM Ryan Maminta, sabi nyo kaya maraming absent sa trabaho nyo at kaya ‘walang quorum’ noong buwan ng Nobyembre 2024 ay dahil napagod kayo sa maraming lakad. Naiintindihan na po namin ngayon saan nauubos ang enerhiya nyo,” Save Palawan captioned.
“Mas mainam kung maipasa nyo na ang mining moratorium para pwede na po kayo ulit mag-enjoy sa ‘sing and dance’ ninyo,” they added.
A letter from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan secretariat previously circulated online, showing that the body failed to reach a quorum for three sessions in November 2024.
However, Maminta clarified that the letter was not “final” as it lacked the board secretary’s signature.
The controversy over the quorum issue comes as the Save Palawan Movement continues its push for a 25-year mining moratorium in the province.
The coalition, composed of private individuals and organizations advocating for environmental protection, has gathered over 100,000 signatures in support of the measure.
During the January 28 regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the group attempted to present the signed petition to local legislators.
However, the board declined to accept the document, emphasizing that the proposed moratorium must undergo due process and thorough study before any immediate action is taken.
