PB pork may be reinstated soon

CEBU, Philippines - Now that the legislative department of the Province of Cebu is headed by an ally of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the members of the Provincial Board are looking at the reinstatement of their Legislative Assistance Fund which was deleted in the 2011 annual budget.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said her colleagues in the Board believe that the P100-million appropriation under the Provincial Development Assistance Fund in this year’s budget may be intended for their LAF.

Magpale said a supplemental budget is needed to transfer the funds from the executive department to the legislative.

Magpale said some PB members wish that the governor will release the financial assistance to their respective districts that were not released last year because of political bickering between Garcia and the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr.

Garcia told reporters yesterday that she has already offered Magpale few days ago to return their LAF.

She even encouraged the staff of Sugbo News, the official publication of the Province of Cebu, to also feature legislative works of PB members after she has stopped funding the Legislative Gavel.

Having been committed and dedicated to her work as board member for so long, Garcia said she is confident that Magpale will put the same focus in her new office.

Garcia believes she and Magpale share the same values, work ethics, goal and vision for Cebu.

“I don’t see any reason why (there) shouldn’t be a harmony between the executive and the legislative,” Garcia said.

Magpale is set to take her oath today as vice governor before Judge Maria Josefa Ramos of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) in Danao City and Vice Mayor Ramonito Durano.

She earlier said that although she never dreamed of the position, she has to accept it because she is the rightful successor. (FREEMAN)