OUTGOING Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale has never banged the gavel over conflicts during the Provincial Board’s (PB) sessions in her three years of being its presiding officer.
The Danao City-native politician would often aim to maintain the order and cordial relations among legislators from different parties.
For his part, outgoing governor and incoming vice governor Hilario Davide III is ready to forge an amicable relationship with his political rival—incoming governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who defeated Magpale in the gubernatorial race in the May 13, 2019 elections.
“I have assured through the media, of course, because I have yet to meet (incoming) governor Garcia, that I will show her my support. There are some issues, but I think it could be resolved. I hope we would have a good relationship,” he said.
Garcia, the outgoing third district congresswoman, opposed Davide’s construction of the P1.3-billion Cebu Provincial Resource building as it is near the Capitol building, which is considered as a heritage structure.
“Ako, gusto gyod ko makig-friends niya, pero kon di siya, di lang sad pod ko mamugos. Mas maayo gyod na nga mag-usa ta (I personally want to make friends with her, but if she’s not amenable, I would not force her. It would be better if all of us are united),” Davide said.
Davide was present in the last regular session of the 14th PB on Monday afternoon, June 24.
Davide, the PB’s incoming presiding officer, accepted the ceremonial turnover of the gavel on behalf of his colleagues in the incoming 15th PB.
During the turnover ceremony, Magpale thanked her colleagues for crossing party lines and letting public interest prevail in the past three years.
“Sa laktod nga pagkasulti, nagkuyog ta bisan di ta kauban (In short, we worked together even if we are not partymates),” she said.
The outgoing PB also presented its accomplishments and achievements during the turnover ceremony.
Over 4,000 resolutions, nearly 3,000 committee reports and at least 50 approved ordinances were authored by members of the 14th PB from 2016 to 2019.
Ex-officio PB Member Celestino Martinez III, the Association of Barangay Councils-Cebu president, has the highest number of legislative measures among the legislators.
He authored some 669 committee reports, 189 resolutions and nine ordinances that were approved.
As PB member, Martinez serves as chairman of the committees on barangay affairs and rural development; human rights and labor; provincial and municipal properties; and budget and appropriations.
As head of the budget committee, Martinez authored four supplemental budgets, including the P4.69-billion annual appropriation ordinance for 2019.
Following Martinez with the most number of approved legislative measures is reelected first district PB Member Raul Bacaltos with some 447 resolutions, 375 committee reports and one approved ordinance in 2018.
A lawyer, Bacaltos heads the committees on laws and review on ordinances, and on complaints and investigation.
Third on the list is reelected fifth district PB Member Miguel Antonio Magpale, who is Agnes’s son.
He authored some 346 committee reports, over 287 resolutions and eight approved ordinances.
The younger Magpale serves as chairman of the committee on commerce and industry. (RTF)