Agnes expects no revamp at PB

CEBU, Philippines — Even if nearly half of the 16-member Cebu Provincial Board is now allied with the ruling party, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale has downplayed concerns that a revamp of committee chairmanships is in the offing.

“Wala pa man ta namulitika. Kadtong ilang pag-take oath para pa man to sa 2019 or 2022. I’m very confident nga wala pay change,” Magpale said.

She said she is confident that 5th District PB Member Jude Thaddeus Sybicoof the Bakud party will remain as majority floor leader.

Bakud, also the party of Magpale, maintains an alliance with the Liberal Party.

As of yesterday, seven PB members have confirmed their allegiance to the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) of President Duterte. They are Yolanda Daan and Raul Bacaltos (1st District), Jose Mari "Tata" Salvador (2nd District), Alex Binghay (3rd District), Sun Shimura (4th District), and Glenn Bercede and Thadeo Jovito Ouano (6th District).

The seven account for half of the total elected board members. Cebu has seven districts, each with two representatives in the PB.

The two remaining seats in the board are allocated for ex-officio members who sit as the president of the ABC Federation and Cebu Councilors League.

PB Member Christopher Baricuatro (7th District)said he will remain affiliated with the LP.

PB Members Edsel Galeos (2nd District) and Victoria Toribio (3rd District) said they will remain independent. PB Members Horacio Franco (4th District), Miguel Antonio Magpale (5th District) and have also chosen to remain in their current political parties.

Governor Hilario Davide III, for his part, said he would not mind changes in the chairmanships as long as delivery of services to the people won't be affected.

“Akong experience ron sa provincial board is if makita nilang makatabang, ila man ng suportahan,” Davide said.

The topic on changing chairmanships was not brought up during the PB session yesterday. Baricuatro and Martinez have also denied there are talks to raise the matter in future sessions. (FREEMAN)