PB backs anti-Sugbuak campaign

The signature campaign against the so-called Sugbuak bills was assailed yesterday of allegedly using underhanded tactics but the Provincial Board, six votes to five, had approved a resolution supporting the drive as a medium of the true sentiment of the Cebuanos on the matter.

There has been an ongoing signature drive of the Capitol gathering support from the Cebuanos in the fight against the three pending congressional bills converting three districts into new provinces of Cebu.

While PB member Estrella Yapha, wife of third district Rep. Antonio Yapha who is a proponent of one Sugbuak bill, hit the conduct of the signature drive, PB member Victor Maambong (6th district) filed a resolution supporting the anti-Sugbuak move.

Maambong's measure said the territorial and political integrity of Cebu has been threatened with the moves of congressmen from the second, third, and fourth districts to convert their districts in separate provinces, Cebu del Sur, Cebu Occidental, and Cebu del Norte, respectively.

The Maambong resolution was tackled two weeks ago but was deferred when PB members, who were allies of the Sugbuak proponents, lashed it out with their objections. Finally in yesterday's session, the resolution got its approval.

PB member Agnes Magpale (5th district) moved to put the Maambong resolution to vote. The results was a five-five tie, with one abstention, but presiding officer Vice Governor Greg Sanchez broke it with a vote approving the measure.

Those who voted in favor of the resolution were PB members from districts not covered with the Sugbuak bills. They were Maambong, Magpale, Juan Bolo (1st district), and Rosemarie Durano (5th dist.). PB member Teresita Celis, president of the Association of Barangay Councils Federation, also voted on their side.

Aside from Yapha, the PB members, who voted against, represented various districts. They were Raul Bacaltos (1st dist.), Carminiano Kintanar (2nd dist.), Victoria Corominas (3rd dist.), and Joven Mondigo (4th dist.).

PB member Antonio Almirante (2nd dist.) abstained from the voting, while absent from the session were Jose Ma. Gastardo (4th dist.), Gabriel Quisumbing (6th dist.), Alfie Ouano (Councilors League president), and Ramon Calderon (SK Federation president).

Yapha, in opposing the measure backing the signature drive, told Maambong not to dictate her decision and asked the PB to respect the contention of the authors of the controversial bills in Congress, and wait for the plebiscite on the matter instead.

Yapha criticized the signature drive as underhanded citing a case in Asturias where school children were given school supplies and anti-Sugbuak forms for their parents to sign. - Flor Z. Perolina/RAE