Bakud keeps Magpale's PB seat vacant

CEBU, Philippines - Still mid-way before the next elections but the Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) party in the fifth district of the Province of Cebu is still not keen on filling up the vacant post in the Provincial Board left by the ascension of Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

Magpale maintains that with the pending electoral protest before the Commission on Elections filed by businessman Anthony Glenn Soco against her predecessor, the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, the party opted not to fill-in her vacated position.

“We are waiting for the official announcement kung kinsa man gani ang nidaug,” Magpale said.

By operation of law, Magpale assumed as vice governor when Sanchez died last April 29. Magpale took her oath on May 10. 

Since then, Board Member Jude Thaddeus Durano-Sybico served as the lone representative of the district to the provincial legislative body.

“Never mind, I’m doing the job of the board member now, wa man na nako pabaya-i,” Magpale said.

Before Magpale took her oath of office, she consulted friends, lawyers and relatives if she will remain as acting vice governor because of the pending election protest filed by Soco, who lost to Sanchez.

Bakud Party head, Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano, said they decided not to recommend a replacement for Magpale’s seat at the provincial board because of the pending election protest filed by Soco.

Magpale said the election protest will affect her if the Comelec resolves the protest in favor of Soco.

She earlier declared that it would not be a problem for her even if she would end up serving as vice governor for how many months.

Should Soco win the protest, the vacant post will be taken again by Magpale.

The name of former tourism secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Magpale’s nephew, was earlier considered by the party to replace her to represent the district which he used to represent in Congress.

But Ace dismissed insinuations that he will take the post that Magpale vacated.  (FREEMAN)