Bakud Party fills in Magpale's PB seat

CEBU, Philippines - The youngest son of Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale will fill in the position vacated by the latter as fifth district representative in the Provincial Board.

After over a year of vacancy, Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) has finally nominated Danao City Councilor Miguel Antonio Magpale to replace his mother.

Agnes, who used to be the PB’s presiding officer pro-tempore, has ascended to her present position after the death of the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. on April 29, 2011.

The younger Magpale, who is just 34 years old, reported at his mother’s previous office at the Capitol’s Legislative Building yesterday drawing media’s attention.

Miguel showed to reporters some documents pertaining to his nomination that were submitted to the Malacañang and the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Manila for approval.

Section 45 of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that in the case of permanent vacancy, the President, through the Executive Secretary, in the case of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of highly urbanized cities and independent component cities shall appoint successor.

President Benigno Aquino III is set to visit Danao City tomorrow to witness the formal alliance of the Liberal Party and Bakud and to also endorse the tandem of lawyer Hilario Davide III and Agnes for governor and vice governor, respectively.

Miguel is hoping that Aquino will also give his appointment on the occasion so he can take his oath as PB member on Saturday.

Miguel was elected number two councilor of Danao City in 2010 elections despite his being a neophyte.

He finished his double degree program in Communication Arts and Marketing Management at De La Salle University in Manila.

He is the brother of Energy Undersecretary Josefina Patricia Magpale-Asirit who also served as PB member one term from 2001 to 2004 to break the nine-year term of their mother. 

The delay in the filling up of the vacancy was due to a pending election protest filed by losing vice gubernatorial candidate Glenn Anthony Soco against Sanchez before the Commission on Elections.

The Comelec has already dismissed the protest of Soco although it was elevated to the Supreme Court. (FREEMAN)