Magpale to give inaugural speech in PB today

IN delivering her first address as vice governor, Agnes Magpale hopes to deliver “a message of substance” to her colleagues in the Provincial Board (PB) where she used to sit in.

In a phone interview, Magpale said she had not finalized her speech yet.

“I did not really want to since I presided for sometime but it is also upon the request of my colleague right after the oath taking,” Magpale explained.

“We decided to call it as inaugural since it will be my first to take the podium after my oath taking.”

She took oath as vice governor last week in the Danao City Council Session Hall before Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Maria Josefa Ramos and in the presence of Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III.

Despite not finishing her inaugural speech, Magpale assured the Cebuanos that it will be something “personal”.

“This particular event is just like the oath taking, the message is really personal,” she said.

Meanwhile PB member Arleigh Sitoy said in a text message to Cebu Daily News that he wants Magpale to “maintain independence”.

In response, Magpale said she will keep her promise to maintain that independence.

But as to what independence Sitoy means, Magpale clarified that it does not mean a word war with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Sitoy, a member of the Liberal Party (LP) said he does not expect Magpale to continue the projects and programs of the late vice governor Greg Sanchez Jr.

The vice governor office’s chief of staff, Evangeline de Paula said there will be no preparations for today’s inaugural address.

Last week, De Paula said Marina Abear, the vice governor’s office administrative officer offered to prepare something for today.

But Magpale insisted that she wanted to keep it as simple as possible.

“I’m keeping with what I really am,” Magpale said.