A Cebu City judge will administer the governor’s oath of Hilario “Junjun” Davide III on June 30 at the Provincial Capitol.
Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Bienvenido Saniel was handpicked by Davide to swear in Cebu province’s top executive in front of his close friends and supporters on Sunday.
Atty. Ramil Abing, Davide’s chief of staff, said they initially chose Associate Justice Gabriel Ingles of the Court of Appeals but the latter won’t be available on Sunday.
In 2008, the issue of judges’ allowances from local government units became controversial when the Capitol reportedly withheld Saniel’s monthly allowance after he issued a civil case ruling that was unfavorable to the provincial government.
Ceremonial Oath
Davide’s oathtaking will only be ceremonial because President Benigno Aquino III already administered his oath together with other winning Liberal Party (LP) winners earlier this month at the Malacañang Palace, said Abing.
He said the ceremony will start with a Holy Mass at 10 a.m. at the Capitol’s Social Hall.
After his oath, Davide will then swear in Vice Gov-Elect Agnes Magpale and all members of the Provincial Board.
The new PB will be composed of newly elected Raul Alcoseba and reelected Julian Daan of the 1st district; reelectionists Peter John Calderon and Christopher Baricuatro of the 2nd district; reelectionist Alex Binghay and neophyte Grecylda Zaballero of the 3rd district; reelectionists Sun Shimura and Benjun Mondigo of the 4th district; and newly elected Miguel Magpale amd reelectionist Jude Durano-Sybico of the 5th district.
According to Abing, they have invited Department of Interior and Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas, but no confirmation has been received as of yesterday.
Earlier, Magpale said that no Capitol funds will be spent for Sunday’s event as Davide will be footing the bill.
Cleanup
Staffmember of outgoing Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia have started moving out documents from the governor’s office.
However, furniture and other office fixtures, self portraits, painting and plaques are still in place at the governor’s office. Garcia had brought in her expensive furniture and other fixtures in her office.
On July 1, Davide will have to make do with the old social hall as his temporary office as renovation of the governor’s office takes place.
Abing said Garcia said she will prepare the old Social Hall or the dignitary room for Davide to temporarily hold office on July 1.
“That’s why we don’t have an idea how many days we’ll hold office at the old social hall because we still need to have an interior designer check the governor’s office for renovations,” he said.
Davide and his staff will receive visitors at his temporary office on Monday, said Abing. /Peter L. Romanillos, Correspondent