‘Teban’ assumes as acting governor sans Garcia memo

UNLIKE the late Cebu vice governor Greg Sanchez,  (PB) Member Julian “Teban” Daan yesterday sat as acting governor without a memorandum issued by  Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia who left for South Korea with Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.

Daan, who wished to have his designation  put into writing, was assured by Provincial Secretary Anecita Pasaylo that there’s no need for a memorandum from the governor.

“Payaslo told me that my assumption is automatic. I did not receive any memorandum,” he said.

“Before there was political division between the governor and the vice governor, that’s why there was an issuance of a memorandum. But now, we are One Cebu.”

Last year,  Garcia did not designate any caretaker when she left for China and the United States from June 8 to June 10.

Sanchez assumed as acting governor on  June 11 or four days after Garcia left the country.

Under Section 46 of the Local Government Code, “the vice governor … or the highest ranking Sangguniang Member, as the case may be, shall have the right to assume the powers, duties, and functions of the said office on the fourth (4th) day of absence of the said local chief executive, subject to the limitations.”

In February, Governor Garcia left for Barcelona, Spain, to forge sister city ties without appointing Sanchez as acting governor.

On his first day as acting governor, Daan signed the travel order of two department heads—Integrated Provincial Health Officer Dr. Cristina Giango and Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy.

They are going  to Manila today to attend the declaration of Camotes and Malapascua Islands as rabies-free zones.

When asked about his thoughts on being acting governor, Daan said he still feels like a public servant.

“The feeling is just the same. I am serving in an acting capacity,” he said.

He said  he has no plan to run  for governor since he has a radio drama to focus on.

Officials of Saranggani province  led by its vice governor will pay a courtesy visit to Daan today.