EDITORIAL - Teban holds the vice governor’s post hostage

The ongoing tension at the Capitol not only opens the ugly side of the political scuffle over who should call the shots as far as running the province is concerned. It also greatly affected the seat of the second highest official at the Capitol.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale was elevated to acting governor following the suspension of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia by President Aquino. Malacañang said it found several grounds to punish Garcia for grave abuse of authority on complaints filed by then vice governor Gregorio Sanchez.  

Having garnered the most votes in the race for the Provincial Board in the 2010 elections, Board Member Julian “Teban” Daan should have readily taken the post of acting vice governor. In fact, there’s already an order from the Department of the Interior and Local Government mandating him to assume such position.

However, Daan refused to take the job. An ally of the suspended governor, Daan is reluctant to heed the DILG order because he remains loyal to her. This leaves the board with no caretaker.

Still having to make up his mind, Daan said he is confused. He believes that taking the vice gubernatorial post is tantamount to bolting Garcia’s camp, which he has been teaming with since 2004. For him, it seemed it is better to decline the appointment than risk losing a very crucial ally in his quest for reelection next year.

But Daan must make a clear decision. If his precious loyalty to the suspended governor prevents him from assuming the post of acting vice governor, then he can always send a formal communication to the DILG declining the new post so the department can appoint the next in line.

By refusing to heed his appointment, Daan is taking hostage the seat of the vice governor. He cannot just invoke his allegiance to Garcia as mere excuse to set aside a position that holds a very crucial role in the Capitol operations.   

As the board’s presiding officer, Daan should know the very importance of a vice governor’s duty. As acting vice governor, he has the entire province to serve, regardless of who he is allied with.

We are not saying Daan should break ties with Garcia and heed the DILG order. He can always maintain his loyalty to her while serving as acting vice governor at the same time.