Sitoy is new PB majority leader

CEBU, Philippines - After his resignation as minority floor leader, the Cebu Provincial Board yesterday designated PB Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy as the new majority floor leader.

Although he was absent in yesterday’s regular session, the PB approved the designation and considered Sitoy as elected majority floor leader replacing PB Member Peter John Calderon.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said that Sitoy accepted his new position while the position of the minority floor leader remains vacant as nobody wants to take it.

Sitoy, who used to be the only opposition in the PB as a member of the LP, resigned as minority floor leader last month saying he is no longer alone.

He is now among the allies of Vice Governor Agnes Magpale that include PB Members Thadeo Ouano, Peter John Calderon, Wilfredo Caminero, Jude Thaddeus Durano-Sybico, SK Federation president Alladin Caminero, Philippine Councilors’ League-Cebu Chapter president Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca and Miguel Antonio Magpale, who recently took his oath of office as the new board member from the 5th district.

Caminero and Calderon bolted One Cebu and took their oath as LP members in August.

PB Members Sun Shimura, Joven Mondigo, Ceasar Ian Geronimo Zambo and Alex Binghay remain with One Cebu of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia while PB Members Julian Daan and Sergio Restauro are members of the Alayon Party.

Mondigo remains as the assistant majority floor leader.

“We work for the good of the province regardless of the party,” Magpale said.

Following Sitoy’s resignation, the PB declared vacant all positions and committee chairmanships.

There was no major changes in the committee chairmanship except for the committee given to Miguel Antonio, the vice governor’s son.

He took the chairmanship of the committee on arts and culture previously held by Sitoy, who is now the vice-chairman.

Miguel assumed office last September 26 after he was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III to fill in the PB post in the fifth district vacated by his mother who ascended to the position after the death of the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr.

Miguel also got the vice chairmanship of the committee on education, while he is a member of the committees on information and communications; youth and sports development; and ways and means. —/MBG (FREEMAN)