Sitoy resigns as minority floor leader

THE Cebu Provincial Board (PB) on Monday declared positions in all of its committees vacant, signaling a reorganization ushered in by a new majority.

The move came after PB Member Arleigh Sitoy gave a privilege speech, which announced his resignation as minority floor leader.

Sitoy, who used to be the only opposition in the PB as a member of the LP, now counts as allies Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, PB Members Wilfredo Caminero, Peter John Calderon, Thadeo Ouano, Jude Thaddeus Durano-Sybico, SK Federation president Alladin Caminero, Philippine Councilors’ League-Cebu Chapter president Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca and Miguel Magpale, who will assume as the new board member from the 5th district.

Wilfredo Caminero and Calderon took their oath as LP on August 29, after bolting One Cebu.

Those who are still allied with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s One Cebu are PB Members Sun Shimura, Joven Mondigo, Ceasar Ian Geronimo Zambo and Alex Binghay.

ALONE NO MORE. Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Arleigh Sitoy (right) resigns as minority floor leader as a new majority takes over the PB. PB members allied with One Cebu, Sun Shimura (left) and Joven Mondigo, now belong to the minority bloc. (Sun.Star Photo/Amper Campana)

Investigation

PB Members Julian Daan and Sergio Restauro belong to the Alayon Party.

“I am beginning to feel that my position as minority floor leader has acquired the vibrancy of a dead coconut tree. For this reason I am no longer alone, I now belong,” Sitoy said in his speech.

With LP as the new majority, the PB agreed to adopt next week a resolution calling for an investigation into the Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s spending.

The legislative council also agreed to on Friday to finalize details on the resolution and the approval of the P271.965 million supplemental budget, which carries the bonus of 1,576 Capitol employees and other requests for funding allocation by the governor.

Sitoy said he wants the PB to declare its independence “so that we could show to the community that we are also on our watch on the misuse of funds.”

Binghay pointed out, however, that the PB can question financial disbursements, regardless of the party affiliations of its members.

Magpale said the announcement of a new majority in the PB is not meant as a threat.

She said Sitoy’s resignation is the right thing to do because he now belongs to the majority.

Sun.Star Cebu noted that a portrait of President Benigno Aquino III now hungs from a wall at the receiving area of the vice governor’s office.