Magpale: I didn’t fire health worker

CEBU, Philippines - After 18 years of service, the president of the federation of the association of barangay health workers in Barili town was replaced after the incident where acting Governor Agnes Magpale allegedly grabbed the microphone during their meeting last Tuesday.

But Avelina Ugaob said that her replacement was not because of the incident but because it had already been planned by local health officials in the municipality.

“Ang nakabati lang kay giplano na to sa taga health ug mao gyud ang nigawas,” Ugaob said.

Ugaob was replaced by Jessica Gemilda Lungcob after an election last Tuesday. Ugaob said that her old age was made reason for her replacement.

Ugaob was the emcee of the program for their 18th anniversary when Magpale arrived at the Barili Sports Complex. She said that when she introduced vice gubernatorial candidate Glenn Anthony Soco to speak, Magpale appeared and asked for the microphone from her.

“Si Glenn pa man unta ang mosulti, wa pa nako gi-acknowledge si Magpale kay wa man ko kahibawo nga naa diay siya,” Ugaob said.

Ugaob confirmed they invited Soco to grace the affair while Magpale was invited by Mayor Teresito Mariñas who is her ally in the Liberal Party.

“Amo giingnan si mayor nga pwede nimo dad-on ang imong mga kauban kay para man ni sa tanan,” she said.

Ugaob said that any candidates who arrived at the venue would have been allowed to speak.

“Mura ko wa ko kasabot, wa masakay sa maayong pamatasan, diretso lang wa pa ma-acknowledge,” Ugaob said.

Magpale has denied grabbing the microphone and ordering the replacement of Ugaob as she called on her opponent for Vice Governor, Glenn Anthony Soco, to stop twisting stories.

“Sobra na gyud na si Soco mamasingan. He is inventing stories,” said Magpale yesterday.

According to Soco, Magpale suddenly showed up at the Barili Sports Complex and grabbed the microphone from Ugaob who was then introducing Soco for his welcome message.

But Magpale denied that she grabbed the microphone and said that it was handed to her by the host.

Magpale said she was invited as a guest by Mariñas and she told him she would be late.

Upon arrival in Barili, Magpale said she went to the Mayor’s office directly since after seeing Soco’s vehicle. Magpale asked Mariñas if Soco was also invited and the mayor said no.

“Natural mao na akong first reaction,” said Magpale, who was also told by organizers of the event that they were surprised to see Soco as well when he arrived at the sports complex.

Magpale said this was not the first time that she and Soco were in the same event. She explained that there were a number of times after she already assumed office as Vice Governor when Soco would accompany them in events where his bid for Vice-governor was always acknowledged.

This was prior to Magpale’s falling out with suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Soco’s running mate in the 2010 election. Garcia won her last term but Soco lost to Vice Governor Greg Sanchez.

“At that time, I did not mind it even if ma-embarrass ko,” expressed Magpale, saying that she received text messages after such events, where people clarified with her if it was really her or Soco that was the vice governor.

Magpale had to assume the vice-governor’s position after Sanchez passed away.

“I endured all those but this time I was protecting the office of the governor,” Magpale said, saying that she attended the event as the acting governor and not a candidate.

Further, Magpale said that when they entered the sports complex, the host announced her arrival.

“When I heard my name, I waved to the people and I went straight to the lady, she handed the mic to me. I did not grab it. So I started talking.”

Magpale admitted though that she was upset and confirmed Soco’s claim that she did not acknowledge him when he gestured to shake hands.

“Yes I did not feel comfortable shaking the hands of someone who was making up stories,” she said.

Soco was able to deliver his speech and Magpale said she was also upset saying while she spoke as acting governor while Soco spoke of his plans for BHWs if he becomes vice governor.

“That made me more upset kay mo-presentar ba gud diay mi,” said Magpale, explaining that she clarified with Mariñas if it was a candidates’ forum where they could present their platforms but the latter categorically denied.

“I thought I was there to greet them on their 18th anniversary,” she said.

Also, Magpale denied as well that she had anything to do with removing Ugaob.

“Sus grabe na gyud. I have no power to remove,” Magpale said.

She explained that even before Garcia’s suspension, there was already an attempt to change the BHW organization to a Community Health Workers Association. Magpale said she was against this, even raising her opposition in the Provincial Board.

“This has all been twisted. I really felt bad about the whole thing,” said Magpale, leaving a challenge to Soco to prove all his accusations.

“I did not ask that she be removed. I did not grab the Mic. Please. Kung mao na ang iyang style na mu-ilog ug eksena, that is not my style,” she added. —/BRP (FREEMAN)