THE temporary session hall of the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) was filled with tension and emotion on Monday, May 26, 2025, as several board members strongly criticized a colleague’s earlier statement, which they claimed cast the legislative body in a negative light and sowed doubt about the institution.
Fourth District PB Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, 7th District PB Member and Vice Governor-elect Glenn Soco and 3rd District PB Member Victoria “Tata” Corominas-Toribio led the heated discussion against outgoing 3rd District PB Member John Ismael Borgonia.
Their criticism stemmed from Borgonia’s statement last Wednesday, May 21, regarding a special session called for the same day to approve the proposed P1.2 billion Supplemental Budget 1 (SB1), endorsed by outgoing Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
The special session ultimately did not push through due to a lack of quorum. Subsequently, the committee on budget and appropriation returned the proposed P1.2 billion SB1 to the Office of the Governor for further review and assessment.
Borgonia had initially proposed a resolution to defer SB1 deliberations, citing ethical governance, budgetary integrity and the orderly transfer of power. However, he later attempted to withdraw it. Soco, who took the floor along with Martinez, argued that the PB had already taken cognizance of the resolution, necessitating its deliberation, and that the withdrawal attempt was too late.
Borgonia defended his stance, arguing that since SB1 was not included on Monday’s regular session agenda, his resolution was already moot.
Nevertheless, the discussion continued for about an hour, marked by a heated exchange of words between Soco, Martinez and Corominas against Borgonia. This led to a division of the house, and Borgonia’s resolution was defeated in a vote among the present board members, effectively scrapping it.
Among the attendees were presiding officer and outgoing Vice Gov. Hilario Davide III, along with PB Members Raul Bacaltos, Stanley Caminero, Minuel Carmela Franco, Red Duterte and Loren Singco.
In his Wednesday statement, Borgonia described the special session as “clear evident bad faith” intended to “hamper the administration of Gov. Pam Baricuatro.”
Borgonia said he deliberately did not attend the special session. Before the regular session, organizers of the People’s Agenda Movement for Cebu had also spoken with Davide during a rally held in front of the legislative building.
Discussion
Martinez, in his privilege speech on Monday, lambasted Borgonia’s statement, asserting it led to public scrutiny not only of individual board members but also of the PB as an institution.
Regarding the SB1, which has been returned to the governor’s office, Martinez assured the public that if it is resubmitted to the PB, the board members will still deliberate and scrutinize every item before approval.
He argued that Borgonia’s statement preempted fellow board members’ decisions and sentiments on the SB1 and affected the integrity of the PB, emphasizing that the special session did not even push through.
“I find it disheartening that at the time we should be united to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming administration, this court has been sown [with discord] and cast doubts upon our proceedings and ultimately against this institution,” said Martinez. “Such a statement was uncalled for, utterly reckless, malicious and even premature, to say the least,” he added.
He explained that some members were unable to attend the special session due to prior appointments and official leaves, while others were resting after the 2025 midterm election.
He said Borgonia’s words were unfair and biased against those who physically attended the special session. He urged Borgonia to avoid inciting resentment among those “ignorant” of the PB’s proceedings and house rules.
“Whatever his [Borgonia’s] earnings with the governor are clearly of a personal nature and we are not part of it,” Martinez said.
He clarified that the SB1 aimed for the continued operation of the current Sanggunian and also supported the two incoming members from Mandaue’s lone district. He added that the additional funds, not appropriated in 2025, would finance the new members’ operations as the PB will increase from 18 to 20 members. He reiterated that the SB1 is still a proposal and the PB has yet to scrutinize it.
Majority Floor Leader Corominas-Toribio, for her part, said Borgonia’s words had “badly mouthed” the individual decisions and integrity of each member regarding the proposed SB1.
She pointed out that in her 15 years of serving the PB, she had not been involved in any controversies, but Borgonia’s statement had put her in a “bad light,” especially with her upcoming retirement after serving her third and last term.
Soco, while taking the floor, denounced Borgonia’s statement and moved to strike his comments from the records of the PB. He also manifested that Borgonia’s words were irresponsible, reckless, uninformed, deliberate and uncalled for.
Special session details
Borgonia, during the discussion, revealed that the items of the proposed SB1 were only given to him at least two hours before the special session.
The items included a Local Assistance Fund (P400 million), Social Economic Development Fund (P200 million) and Micro and Small Enterprises Fund (P100 million), among others. However, he was cut short to avoid further discussing the contents of the proposed SB1.
He lamented that he was questioned about the intention of his earlier statement but was prohibited from discussing the budget’s content, which was the basis of his words.
Martinez countered by calling the proposed SB1 “a piece of paper,” citing that no budget had yet been discussed.
In an interview after the session, Borgonia said the board members had been “playing safe” and that it was “a numbers game,” adding that the Board had been lenient with Governor Garcia’s requests in past sessions.
He suggested there might be a chance for the SB1 to be resubmitted and passed before the end of the 16th PB by June 30.
He explained that he had “beef” with Governor Garcia over differences, leading him to leave the One Cebu Party and withdraw his reelection bid. / EHP