Lingam and chicharon: Gwen lauds Magpale for her ordinance, hits Sitoy for his

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia congratulated the Cebu Provincial Board, especially the chairwoman of the Committee on Women, Children and Family PB member Agnes Magpale for sponsoring the ordinance banning lingam and yoni massage saying that the ordinance is timely, necessary and benefits the general welfare of Cebu and its constituents.

"This redeems the image of the PB. I know we still have very good and hardworking PB members who will not file resolution for the sake of filing which is discriminatory, ridiculous and hilarious especially the ordinance of Sitoy," she said, referring to PB member Arleigh Jay Sitoy.

Sitoy recently authored an ordinance calling on chicharon manufacturers to put health warning labels on their packages.

 She said Sitoy's proposed ordinance, which passed the first reading during the last session, is putting at risk the livelihood of thousands of residents who work to make chicharon in the province.

Garcia described Sitoy as someone who is hungry and thirsty for publicity and uses the PB as a venue for his media mileage.

"I can say that there are certainly more responsible members of the provincial board than those who irresponsibly use the board for their thirst," she said.

Sitoy said the proposed ordinance is meant to advance the right to health of the constituents of the Province of Cebu and to promote health consciousness.

But the governor explained that eating is a matter of personal choice which does not affect other people.

The governor also said Sitoy showed ignorance when the latter wanted the governor to inform the PB about her trips.

"Once again PB Sitoy exposes his ignorance. Why did he question its validity? I was still in the country on September 13," she said.

Sitoy asked where the governor was after Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez sat as presiding officer during the PB session last Sept. 13. When Sitoy said Sanchez is supposed to be the acting governor because of Garcia's absence PB members Magpale and Ribomapil Holganza explained that the governor was still in the country.

She only flew to Vietnam on September 14.

"I don't even need to inform him, it was well reported in media," she said, add that she was in Manila to attend a function at the time.

The Local Government Code provides that when the incumbent Local Chief Executive is in the country but outside his territorial jurisdiction for a period not exceeding three consecutive days, he may designate in writing the Officer-in-Charge in the office of the Local Chief Executive. If the Local Chief Executive fails or refuses to issue such authorization the Vice Governor has the right to assume the duties and functions on the fourth day. (FREEMAN)