Magpale can assume post amid poll protest

While the Capitol mourns the death of Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr., the status of his eventual successor could become official within this month, the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) said yesterday.

Regional DILG-7 Director Pedro Noval said acting Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale could assume the post based on the Local Government Code, which appoints the highest- ranking council or Provincial Board member to the post of presiding officer, i.e, vice mayor or vice governor.

Magpale obtained the highest number of votes in last year’s elections. She assumed as acting vice governor last April 5 after Sanchez availed of his vacation leave effective March 1 to April 30.

Noval cited a similar case in Negros Oriental where the late Gov. Emilio Macias II succumbed to liver cancer last year.
Then Vice Gov. Agustin Perdices took oath and assumed the post of governor of Negros Oriental.
The highest-ranking Provincial Board (PB) Member Roel Degamo assumed as vice governor of the province.

Noval said the election protest filed by gubernatorial candidate Glenn Soco against Sanchez won’t affect Magpale’s status.
Last week, Commission on Elections (Comelec) supervisor Lionel Castillano received an order from their central office to collect 20 percent of the ballots in Cebu.

“It will not affect her at all. The late vice governor Greg Sanchez was proclaimed by Comelec as the winner. There’s no conflict because Glenn Soco was declared the loser,” Noval said.
Noval said Magpale could assume the post, but out of respect for the late vice governor, she would take oath after Sanchez’s funeral on May 8.

In a separate interview, Magpale said it would be best if she would assume post after the burial.
Noval explained that Magpale would have to recommend someone from her political party to take her post as PB member.
Under Sec. 45 of the Local Government Code, permanent vacancy in the PB will have to be appointed by the President.
The nominee should come from the party that the PB member ran under.
He/she will serve the remainder of the term of his/her predecessor.

Magpale told Cebu Daily News that she would have to confer with her party mates in the Barug sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (BAKUD) Party.

Most of the BAKUD party are from Cebu’s 5th district.

Magpale, together with other board members, is scheduled to visit Sanchez’s wake for a necrological service at 5 p.m. at the Crystal Palace of the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in upland barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

A moment of silence and a prayer will be offered for the late vice governor before the start of today’s 2 p.m PB session.