CEBU, Philippines - For the first time since he assumed office in 2010, Governor Hilario Davide III implemented a revamp in his staff at the Capitol.
The revamp, which took effect last Monday, affected lawyer Ramil Abing who, from being Davide's chief of staff, is now the assistant of Marc Tolentino, the Provincial Administrator and the concurrent acting chief of the Provincial General Services Offices (PGSO).
Abing was replaced by Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega who also keeps his old position as PLO.
Abing said he does not have problems with the changes and that he believes he still has the governor's "full trust and confidence".
"It's the prerogative of the governor (effect a revamp). (This is) intended for us for effective delivery of services to the Cebuanos," he said.
Meanwhile, Ortega explained the governor had to implement the revamp after the PGSO was vacated by Eva Encabo who retired last month. Because the governor had to appoint a temporary PGSO chief, in this case, Tolentino, he deemed it proper to also appoint an assistant to Tolentino to help the latter with his added responsibilities.
He clarified that he and Abing have no problems with him getting the latter's post, considering that the position of chief of staff is not a post Davide is required to fill but is subject to the governor's prerogative.
The reshuffle, Ortega explained, is just a matter of "putting where his people can help him."
He said he has no idea if the new assignments are but temporary or will be made permanent.
"Everything is at the pleasure of the governor. Anyway, this is just all work. This is all intended to help the governor in running the affairs of the Capitol," he said. — (FREEMAN)