Capitol turnover set tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines - After a successful first meeting between outgoing Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and her successor, Governor-elect Hilario “Junjun” Davide III, the formal turnover and transition of administrations is now in the works.

Since yesterday, the Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) has started tagging things in the Governor’s office and the executive building that are property of the government.

Governor Garcia’s chief of staff, Elizabeth Francia, has also confirmed that they have done their part in the inventory.

“We have already done an inventory with PGSO and COA (Commission on Audit) and we have identified already which are the personal effects of the governor and which are of the provinces.”

Since the Governor’s office would still need to be cleaned and refurnished, Davide would be staying first in the old session hall which is also currently being prepared.

Atty. Ramil Abing, Davide’s chief of staff, confirmed that they would still need to hire an interior designer to check what needs to be done in the Governor’s office.

Most of the things inside the office at present, specifically the antique chairs and tables are owned by Garcia.

During the official turnover ceremony this Friday, Garcia will also be reporting on the current state of the province including the financial situation, as required in the memorandum circular for the transition from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

This is apart from the hard copy reports from Garcia as well as from all department heads of the provincial government who are mandated to give a report to the incoming governor.

By noon of June 30, Davide will officially assume the rein of power as the newly elected governor of the province who will take his oath in front of Judge Bienvenido Saniel of the Regional Trial Court Branch 20.

Initially, Davide’s camp invited Court of Appeals Associate Justice Gabriel Ingles to lead the oathtaking but Ingles reportedly had another event to attend to.

Davide is expecting 500 guests to attend the event where other provincial government officials are also scheduled to be sworn in by Davide.— (FREEMAN)