Incoming SP members invited to 2 oathtaking rites
Senate President Manny Villar, Iloilo's number one choice for senator in last month's polls is in town today. The Senate President took time out from his full schedule in Manila to administer the oath of office of Vice Governor-elect Rolex Suplico and incoming provincial board members of the 9th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
Iloilo mayors are also expected to attend the ceremony set hours before another swearing-in event in the Provincial Capitol, seat of the Iloilo Provincial Government.
As such, it would be a double oathtaking schedule for the provincial officials however sources told The News Today (TNT) that majority of the incoming board members will be a no-show on the Capitol 'version.'
The provincial government will reportedly host a bienvenida party for the new set of SP members and despedida party for the outgoing members.
Regional Trial Court (RTC) executive judge Roger Patricio was tapped to administer the oath of office to the incoming members of the provincial board in a ceremony to be held at the provincial capitol's conference room at 2:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, confirmed to attend the Villar oathtaking are Vice Governor-elect Suplico, Guimbal Mayor turned First District Board Member Richard Garin and reelected First District Board Member Macario Napulan. Also confirmed to attend are Second District reelected Board Member Rodolfo "Boy" Cabado, Third District Board Members-elect Arthur Defensor Jr. and Mariano Malones, Fourth District Board Member-elect George Demaisip and Fifth District Board Members-elect Jett Rojas and Jesus Salcedo Jr.
To note, reelected Governor Niel Tupas Sr. took an earlier oath before Senator Franklin Drilon taking along him allied board members Shalene Palmares-Hidalgo of Fourth District and June Mondejar of the Second District.
TNT learned that plans were then drawn by other board members to set their own oathtaking reason with Senate President Villar as the immediate choice as administering officer.
Today's double oathtaking is expected to fuel yet more speculations and controversy on a divided Iloilo SP with majority of the incoming members not within the Tupas group.
(With a report from E.Garcia)