Davide: No Capitol post for dad

CEBU, Philippines - Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. will not be holding any position at the Cebu Provincial Capitol following the election of his son, Hilario “Jun-jun” Davide III, as governor.

Governor-elect Davide made the clarification during the thanksgiving dinner he hosted last Sunday for the Liberal Party saying that his father would be his personal adviser.

Davide said that he has to re-engage the services of his uncle, Dr. Romulo Davide, who is now serving as acting Governor Agnes Magpale’s consultant on agriculture for one peso a year.

With days remaining before he assumes office on June 30, Davide said that he is now preparing his transition team.

He is expecting a smooth turnover to the next administration even if suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will return to office on June 19.

Meanwhile, Davide is set to review the contracts of casual and contractual employees that would expire by June 30.

“Atong tan-awon, there will be review of the performance kinsa ang deserving ma-retain, kinsa pud ang di na ma-renew ang contract. (We will review their performance to see who deserves to be retained and whose contracts will not be renewed),” Davide said.

He will also be meeting each of the Capitol department heads who are holding permanent positions.

Davide already met the department heads in a meeting called by Magpale a week after the election.

“I asked them nga magtinabangay, let’s cooperate with each other for the efficient and effective governance sa atong probinsiya,” Davide said.

Magpale expressed confidence that the department heads currently under her management can work with Davide.

However, Magpale said the new governor has the right to get somebody he can trust on.

“We will give the governor-elect a chance to have his own department heads,” Magpale said.

Before he will assume office, Davide said he will also be meeting with head of regional agencies to find out how they can work and help each other.— /MIT (FREEMAN)