THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cebu Province clarified that the agency’s role in the Capitol’s transition team was a procedural requirement guided by national policy and not politically aligned with the outgoing administration.
DILG Cebu Provincial Director Dr. Jesus Sastrillo Jr. defended his role as co-chair of the Capitol’s transition team following remarks on Friday, May 30, 2025, by Gov.-elect Pamela Baricuatro and her transition team, who criticized the DILG’s perceived partiality in the transition process.
“We are impartial. We helped to ensure a smooth and orderly transition for the incoming administration,” Sastrillo said in a phone interview on Friday.
Citing DILG Memorandum Circular 2025-016, issued on March 18, which lays out the transition guidelines for newly elected local government officials, he said it mandates the creation of a Local Governance Transition Team (LGTT).
The guidelines allow DILG representatives to take part in the process to ensure transparency and continuity of services.
He argued that the DILG’s presence in Garcia’s transition team — even as co-chair — is not a show of allegiance to the outgoing governor but a means to uphold oversight and proper documentation. It was also standard protocol.
The guidelines also require a comprehensive report, including the inventory of government properties, financial records and administrative documents, as well as coordination meetings between the outgoing and incoming administration.
Furthermore, it mandates the outgoing transition team to report to the DILG at least five days before June 30 on the status of the turnover process. This promotes transparency and ensures continuity of government services during the transition period.
In a press conference on Friday, Baricuatro, who won against Garcia in a stunning electoral upset, questioned the DILG’s impartiality after her team was told by the provincial director that Garcia’s transition team will only turn over crucial financial documents and records by June 30, the day the new administration assumes office.
Baricuatro added that the outgoing governor has barred department heads from meeting with her transition team. She also criticized the DILG for accepting a leadership position in a transition body formed by Garcia, saying it sends the wrong signal about the agency’s neutrality.
Her camp is preparing to elevate the matter to the DILG 7 and to the central office if the outgoing administration does not respond positively to Friday’s letter request to Garcia.
Sastrillo acknowledged Baricuatro’s letter, which was received during his meeting with Garcia’s transition team and department, and he informed the outgoing governor of the governor-elect’s request.
He added that no date had been scheduled for both incoming and outgoing transition teams to meet before the turnover of power by June 30.
“So far sa among (in our) timeline and activities, wala pa pud (there’s nothing). Naghuwat pa pud kung unsag ma-istorya ni (We’re also waiting to talk to) Governor (Garcia),” said Sastrillo.
Baricuatro’s team raised concerns that the delayed turnover — scheduled for June 30, the same day she assumes office — could hamper early service delivery, with financial experts warning of disruptions in fund disbursement and project implementation.
Despite her frustrations, Baricuatro assured no immediate mass layoffs, but her team insisted on the need for at least 15 days to review governance records and properly assess the Province’s financial standing before the turnover. / EHP