Taichung mayor accused of 'abandoning orders' amid budget dispute

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen is embroiled in a political dispute, facing accusations from opposition lawmakers of being the 'queen of abandoning orders.' The controversy erupted after a budget cut, spearheaded by the blue and white parties, led to the cancellation of the presidential office's order for Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes from a sheltered workshop for people with disabilities.

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Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen is the 'queen of abandoning orders.'

In response to the situation, Mayor Lu has invoked the phrase 'abandoning orders' nine times over two days. This has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) councilor Cheng Kung-chin, who distributed gift boxes from the Maria Social Welfare Foundation during a council session. Cheng accused the mayor of political manipulation and exploiting the situation for electoral gain, likening it to a "black dog stealing food, white dog taking the blame" – a Taiwanese idiom for being wrongly accused or taking the fall for someone else.

Kuomintang (KMT) councilor Huang Hsin-hui defended the mayor, questioning whether the budget cut specifically prohibited purchasing from sheltered workshops. She argued that the presidential office should manage its budget accordingly, noting that Lu herself had faced significant budget cuts. Huang emphasized that government entities should prioritize purchasing from disadvantaged groups as mandated by law, and that budget adjustments are permissible.

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Did the budget cut specifically state not to buy from sheltered workshops? The presidential office needs to adjust its budget.

DPP councilor Cheng Kung-chin reiterated his stance, stressing the term 'abandoning orders' three times in response to Huang's comments. The debate highlights the contentious political climate surrounding budget allocations and the impact of political decisions on social welfare organizations. The incident underscores the complex interplay between political maneuvering and the support for vulnerable communities in Taiwan.

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Abandoning orders, abandoning orders, abandoning orders.