Prov'l board committees still vacant
No final choices have been made as of yet, or at least officially, in various committees of the 9th Iloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
As such, items up for referrals to committees concerned will remain as is - hanging – until Vice Governor Rolex Suplico and the board members gather to elect committee chairmen and corresponding members.
In an interview yesterday, Vice Governor Rolex Suplico told The News Today (TNT) that partial elections is more likely to happen next week albeit no specifics were given. The 9th SP is now on its 5th session yet as Vice Governor Suplico explained, "traditionally, only two sessions counted since the first two were inaugural sessions."
Suplico likewise said that to date he sees the need to "overhaul" particular provisions of the internal rules. For instance, the Vice Governor pointed out, is the 8th SP internal rules that appoints an assistant presiding officer.
"Based on the Local Government Code, there is no such assistant presiding officer," he continued, "So in the case of the absence of the Presiding Chair, the members present are to choose from amongst themselves who will temporarily take over."
With no amended internal rules drawn and approved to date, members of the 9th SP are guided by the one adopted by the previous SP body.
To recall talks has since abound on the supposed pre-agreed committee chairmanships and memberships with major committees going to majority of the neophyte board members.
TNT in a report learned of "marked" committee chairmanship in the offing for comebacking First District Board Member Richard Garin in the powerful Committee on Appropriations (CA). Fellow First District reelected Board Member Mac Napulan on the other hand was said then to "almost"have the Committee on Health.
Second District board members both belong in the minority now starting off with reelected Board Member Rodolfo "Boy" Cabado has been eyed to chair the SP Committee on Tourism. 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 was reported to "almost"have the Committee on Cooperative.
Fourth District newcomers in Board Member Shalene Palmares-Hidalgo and George Demaisip also have respected priority choices with Hidalgo the runaway choice to chair the Committee on Women and Family Affairs. Demaisip on the other hand was 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 was eyed on the Committee on Education as well or the Committee on Environment.
The Vice Governor when pressed for details said nothing was firmed-up including the names for the "partial elections."