Turnover to Junjun, not to Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - As head of the Local Governance Transition Team, acting Governor Agnes Magpale decided to have a proper turnover only to newly-elected governor Hilario Davide III and not to suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who is set to be back on June 19.

Magpale made the decision because the memorandum of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) asked her to turnover the reign of the Capitol “to the newly-elected governor who will be serving the next three years.”

“The guidelines specifies that it will be to the newly elected (officials),” Magpale said.

On May 22, DILG Provincial Director Jerome Gonzales issued a memorandum ordering Magpale to create a Local Governance Transition Team to prepare for an effective turnover to the incoming officials on June 30.

Gonzales attached copy of the memorandum of DILG Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II dated April 18, 2013.

Magpale learned that this is the first time the DILG required a proper turnover of several documents listed in the memorandum.

The team shall conduct an inventory of all real, immovable and movable properties of the local government unit; assemble all pertinent documents or records; turn-over of accountabilities; and organize a turn-over ceremony, to include a briefing on state of performance, of development, financial performance and key challenges. 

Magpale earlier said that she is willing to relinquish her post if Garcia returns to office for 11 days prior to the expiration of her term as governor on June 30.

Gonzales cannot be reached for further comments on Magpale’s decision.

But Gonzales earlier said that when Garcia returns to office on June 19, she will automatically head the transition team.

However, they cannot wait for Garcia to return and conduct the inventory and assemble documents considering the length of time before June 30.

Magpale said that the Office of the Governor is set to be opened on June 19, the day Garcia is set to return to office.

They will wait until evening of June 18 for a preventive suspension against Garcia on the criminal case she is facing before the Sandiganbayan.

“Kung wala’y suspension order nga moabot, then we will have to open that on the 19th to prepare for the new governor, pero’g mobalik siya, siya’y mo open niana,” Magpale said.

The Office of the Governor has been closed since January 30 this year when Garcia left for an out of town trip after staying in her office for over a month since her suspension was served on December 19, 2012. — /MBG (FREEMAN)