CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered the appointment of Monina “Monz” Laus as Provincial Board (PB) member in place of his late husband Ceferino “Pinong” Laus.
In his March 17 letter to Governor Eddie Panlilio, Director Rolando Acosta of DILG’s Bureau of Local Government Supervision forwarded to the priest-turned-governor a copy of the appointment letter signed by Local Government Secretary Rolando Andaya.
“Pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, you are hereby appointed member, Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pampanga, vice Ceferino C. Laus,” Andaya told Laus in the March 8 appointment letter signed through the authority of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Mrs. Laus said the appointment, though coming barely three days before the start of the 2010 election campaigns for local positions, is still a timely development for her to finally assume the post that her husband left behind.
She is running for one of the three third district board member positions in this city. She formally took her oath of office before Panlilio on Monday at the Capitol’s Executive House, with local barangay officials of Sta. Ana and supporters from this city witnessing the event.
It could be remembered that third district Board Member Pinong Laus died at his home in St. Dominic Corinthian last January 4 at the age of 81.
Mrs. Laus said she will faithfully continue the advocacies, programs and projects started by her late husband, adding that it was actually her husband’s wish to see her continue the Laus legacy of public service.
“There will be more projects. Right now, I am opening talks with Governor Eddie Panlilio on the support allocation for patients at the JBL Hospital. We will be holding consultations with the women’s sector on possible programs to implement,” she said.
Mrs. Laus also said that she will push for development programs for women and children. She added that she is thankful to President Arroyo for her appointment and third district Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales for his support in the processing of the needed documents for the appointment.
She also promised to continue the Laus legacy of public service if she will be given another fresh mandate after the May 10 polls this year.
Second district Board Member Edna David, in an interview Monday, welcomed the latest development, saying she is excited to work hand-in-hand with Mrs. Laus in the upcoming projects for the province.
“I have worked with her in the past both in the Rotary Club of Central Pampanga and Quota International Pampanga Chapter and I can vouch for her energetic spirit and her sincere dedication to serve,” David said.
David said that Mrs. Laus would need to focus more on helping people the way her husband served them when he was still alive.
Rotary Club of Central Pampanga Past President Lucia Gutierrez said Laus would be able to accomplish a lot with the help of her extensive network of friends, civic leaders and supporters.
For his part, Panlilio told Sun.Star Pampanga that he did what he did in letting Mrs. Laus take her oath of office.
“The order came from the President through an advisory from Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza. And that is the right of our President. And so today, I administered the oath for Board Member Monz Laus replacing her husband Board Member Pinong,” Panlilio said as he welcomed Mrs. Laus to the Capitol. (With Jovi T. De Leon)