Capitol PIO irks Sitoy

CEBU, Philippines - “No need to institutionalize the Public Information Office.”

This is what Capitol Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera said during the public hearing on the proposed ordinance sponsored by Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy.

Natera informed Sitoy that the position of PIO was already created which irked the provincial legislator who presided the public hearing yesterday.

“Which is stronger, a policy or an ordinance?” Sitoy asked.

Natera said she still has to refer the matter to a lawyer but Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino clarified that an ordinance makes it more permanent.

The matter was appeased when Provincial Human Resource Management Officer Noli Vincent Valencia informed that the position of PIO was already created by a Provincial Ordinance No. 92-15 during the time of former governor Vicente dela Serna.

Under the said ordinance, the PIO has 10 staff whose designations were not specified except for one photographer. Sitoy said that his proposed ordinance will be reworded.

Sitoy alleged that the office during the time of former governor, now third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, was in “chaotic” situation and has spent a lot of money.

He said that the Sugbo TV and Sugbo News were just used for political activities and in promoting Garcia’s face.

When Garcia was suspended on December 19, 2012, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale took over as acting governor and Sitoy was designated as administrator of the office and closed Sugbo TV and Sugbo News.

Cebu monthly magazine and Cebu TV were later launched and the opening of the Capitol PIO building that was built during the time of Garcia.

Sitoy earlier sponsored a resolution institutionalizing the Sugbo TV and Sugbo News but he later withdrew the proposal instead pushed for the strengthening of the PIO by introducing the subject proposed ordinance.

He said that by having the said measure, the management of the PIO will be checked.

Sitoy cited that during the time of Garcia, there is no way of stopping her from using the media in promoting her face.—(FREEMAN)