Vice gov due back in Cebu this week

CEBU, Philippines - Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. is expected to return to Cebu this week as he requested an isolated place at the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and the arrival area of Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Evangeline de Paula, chief of staff of the Office of the Vice Governor, said that she prepared the request to the general managers of both airports and it was sent to Sanchez in Manila last Friday.

De Paula said Sanchez prefers not to mingle with the rest of the passengers at the departure terminal and at the arrival area for undisclosed reasons.

Sanchez still has a “faded” voice, according to de Paula, when they talked over the phone Monday evening about his colleagues in the Provincial Board who asked about his health after having been absent for ten consecutive sessions already.

De Paula said that Sanchez instructed her to “let it be” when he has yet to file any leave of absence except the application to travel abroad duly approved by the Office of the Governor.

Sanchez applied for authority to travel to the United States from March 1 to April 30, 2011 but it has not been used.

De Paula believes the visa application of Sanchez may have yet to be approved in the given period.

As a matter of procedure, Capitol officials and employees may file an application for sick leave after return to work while vacation leaves should be filed five days before effectivity.

While there is still no instruction to prepare his leave of absence, De Paula said Sanchez may file application for sick leave when he returns.

Meanwhile, Presiding Officer Pro-Tempore Agnes Magpale is automatically the acting vice governor in the absence of Sanchez.

Department of Interior and Local Government 7 Regional Director Pedro Noval said Magpale has the right to automatically take over pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991.

Magpale said she is hesitant to assume responsibility as acting vice governor as she was only designated as acting presiding officer of the PB sessions.

Noval recognized the approved travel authority of Sanchez that may save him from any liability for incurring ten consecutive absences in the PB sessions.

The absences of Sanchez prompted members of the PB to seek the appointment of an acting vice governor during its session held in the town of Aloguinsan on the southwestern side of Cebu last Monday.

Magpale has been presiding the PB sessions since January 24 when Sanchez was advised by his physician to rest his vocal chords after he lost his voice.

From an unconfirmed report, it was said that Sanchez is confined in a hospital in Manila because of a more serious ailment and not only bronchopneumonia, an infection of the lungs. –Gregg M. Rubio/BRP (THE FREEMAN)