Borenaga takes over as acting mayor of Bien Unido, Bohol

Bien Unido Acting Mayor Rene Boneraga assures the public that she will ensure that public service will not be hampered in the town as residents are still in shock of the tragedy that happened to Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel who was killed and thrown to the sea by her husband board member Niño Rey Boniel. Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas

BIEN UNIDO, Bohol – Vice Mayor Rene Borenaga on Tuesday took over as chief executive of this town that was still reeling from the shock of the murder of their mayor, Gisela Boniel.

Borenaga, 47, assumed as acting mayor in this town on Tuesday morning following the flag raising ceremony attended by councilors and employees.

Now that Borenaga is acting mayor, First councilor Ramon Arcenal assumed as acting vice mayor.

“We are still shocked over what happened,” Borenaga told the Inquirer.

While search continued for the missing mayor, Borenaga said delivery of basic services to the public should not be hampered.

“I asked the department heads and the councilors to help me because I need their support,” she said.

Borenaga called for an emergency meeting with councilors and department heads for the possible release of a budget for logistics and support for the search and retrieval operation of Gisela.

“We will do everything we can (to help in the search for Gisela). We will send our own team,” she added.

A team from the police and local government of Lapu-Lapu City has been scouring the sea between Caubian Island in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu and Bien Unido town in Bohol where Gisela was believed to have been dumped after she was killed by her husband, Bohol Board Member Niño Rey Boniel.

Niño and eight others are facing complaint of parricide at Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu for the death of Gisela last week./ac