I’m not abandoning NV governorship — Cuaresma

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — "I’m still the governor of the province of Nueva Vizcaya."

Thus said Gov. Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma as she vowed yesterday that she would remain as governor despite a recent resolution of the Commission on Elections’ first division ordering her to vacate the gubernatorial post in favor of former board member Leonardo Perez Jr.  

Cuaresma, who had to rush here Thursday night from Manila where she attended a meeting of the governors’ league, said the Comelec resolution is not yet final and executory.

"We still have a meeting today but I have to come home and tell to you that I am still the governor of the province of Nueva Vizcaya," said the 51-year-old Cuaresma in a hastily called press conference at her office.

The Comelec’s Jan. 31 resolution has sown confusion among Capitol employees and residents as to who now runs the provincial government.

The chaos worsened after Perez issued a letter to all provincial department heads "requesting" them "to refrain from making midnight actions/decisions that would have the effect of cover-up, concealment or suppression of documents that would support irregularities or anomalies of any kind."

Perez, son and namesake of former senator and Comelec chairman Leonardo Perez Sr., further warned: "I will hold those (who violate) this request personally liable."

Cuaresma refused to comment on Perez’s letter.

But she said she would immediately issue a memorandum reminding the department heads that she is still the governor.