Partido Magdalo regains control of Cavite board

TRECE MARTIRES CITY — The Partido Magdalo, founded by former Cavite governor Johnny Remulla, has regained control of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in what observers described as a "peaceful coup."

The change in the board’s leadership was an offshoot of the unanimous election of Arlene Arayata, barangay chairwoman in Tanza town, as president of Cavite’s League of Barangays.

With the Partido Magdalo’s takeover, the Lakas-NUCD lost its grip of the board’s majority seats which it had handled in the past four months.

The takeover and Arayata’s election took center stage during the Partido Magdalo’s 22nd anniversary celebration at the Island Cove Resort in Kawit yesterday.

Vice Gov. Jonvic Remulla, the provincial board’s presiding officer and a Magdalo member, described the takeover as a display of unity among the Partido Magdalo members.

The new majority is composed of board members Bimbo Bautista, as majority floor leader and chairman of the health and economic development committee; Gengen Arayata, chairman of the appropriations, personnel and appointments committees;

Lumen Silao, ways and means and education; Jingjing Hernandez, agriculture and peace and order; Alex Advincula, oversight and public works; Arleen Arayata, rules, women and family and barangay affairs; Shary Pagtakhan, tourism, youth and sports; and Strike Revilla, minority floor leader