Tupas inaugural speech up as 9th SP convenes
Vice Governor Rolex T. Suplico (in orange shirt)
yesterday led the new members of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan in checking their respective offices
at the sixth floor of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
A. Chris Fernandez photo
Members of the 9th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) convenes today for its first regular session. And as tradition will have it, the SP body will hear the inaugural address of the Provincial Governor.
As such, Vice Governor Rolex Suplico will have to listen to his uncle, Governor Niel Tupas Sr. with the governor expected to lay down his priority programs. The governor's inaugural speech is the only item up in today's agenda in an SP body where majority of the members are known to be outside the governor's circle.
With final agreements on Committee assignments and SP responsibilities yet to be finalized, The News Today (TNT) gathered from SP sources that today's Majority Floor Leader is Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor, Jr.
It will be on a temporary basis though, TNT further learned, with Defensor Jr. expected to serve as such only in the first two sessions.
A meeting was called by newly-installed Vice Governor Suplico yesterday afternoon to firm up Committee assignments. No official pronouncements were disclosed as of press time. However initial information reaching TNT revealed chairmanship of First District Board Member Richard Garin on vital committees, the Committee on Appropriations and Committee on Infrastructure.
First District Board Member Mac Napulan will chair the Committee on Health.
Second District Board Member Rodolfo "Boy" Cabado is eyed to chair the SP Committee on Tourism. Incoming Second District Board Member June Mondejar is expected to have the Committee on Social Welfare and Development.
Third District Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr., son of former Governor Arthur Defensor is eyed for the Committee on Economic Affairs. Alongside Defensor is District Board Member Mar Malones who is almost certain to have the Committee on Cooperative.
Fourth District newcomers in Board Member Shalene Palmares-Hidalgo and George Demaisip also have respective priority choices with Hidalgo the runaway choice to chair the Committee on Women and Family Affairs. Demaisip, on the other hand, is said to have the Committee on Agriculture.
Fifth District Board Member Jesus Salcedo Jr. for his part will get either the Committee on Education or Human Resources. District-mate Jett Rojas is eyed on the Committee on Education as well or the Committee on Environment.