CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board yesterday declared vacant all positions and committee chairmanships following the resignation of sixth district Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy as minority floor leader.
The PB gave Vice Governor Agnes Magpale the authority to assign committees to the members including the designation of majority floor leader.
Magpale is set to meet all the PB members on Friday to discuss the matter and to fill in the vacant committees.
Sitoy delivered a privilege speech yesterday for a two-fold purpose; to find new allies in the PB and to address the alleged inaction of the body over matters involving provincial funds spent by the executive department.
“I am no longer alone, I now belong,” said Sitoy.
Sitoy said that his position as minority floor leader “has acquired the vibrancy of a dead coconut tree” as it no longer serves the purpose.
From being the lone member of the Liberal Party in the PB, Sitoy gained more allies after some PB members shifted their alliance to the party.
With him now are Magpale, Board Members Thaddeus Jude Sybico, Peter John Calderon, Wilfredo Caminero, Thadeo Ouano, Carmen Remedios Meca and Alladin Wilyamie Caminero.
Sitoy cited how the PB was criticized by the media for not acting on Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s spending of provincial funds without authority from them.
He said that they were silent about it for a while as they went into serious legislative work which was good for Cebu.
“But now, we are faced with a challenge anew and we are in a better stead because many of us have been liberated, and many others have joined the cause of the late Greg Sanchez,” Sitoy said, referring to the late vice governor.
Sanchez fought for the independence of the PB in the spirit of check and balance.
After his privilege speech, Magpale commented that she was touched when Sitoy started by saying: “I now belong.”
“The chair has always made you feel that you belong,” Magpale told Sitoy.
Board Member Joven Mondigo Jr. of One Cebu Party asked Sitoy if he thought the PB was not independent from the executive department before the present political scenario.
“I’m not insinuating that we were dependent,” Sitoy replied.
Sitoy stressed that his speech was meant to trigger discussion on whether spending of provincial funds needs the authority of the PB.
Board Member Alex Binghay pointed out that the question of Sitoy on the financial management was already raised during the time of Sanchez.
“Why only now? Why do we have to question that now?” asked Binghay.
Binghay suggested they if they have something to question, they can do it together by asking concerned agencies to investigate.Sitoy acceded to Binghay’s suggestion and is set to sponsor a resolution next session.
Calderon subscribed to Binghay’s observation by saying, “We are still united as one body and we can work together even if our party affiliations are different.”
The new majority in the PB will also be determined on Friday’s meeting of the PB members. —/BRP (FREEMAN)