Colmenares takes his oath as Negros Occ PB member

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Newly appointed Provincial Board Member Angelito Colmenares (5th district, Negros Occidental) finally took his oath of office on Wednesday, or after more than five months since the post became vacant.

Colmenares took over the post vacated by PB Member Renato Malabor who was gunned down in Isabela town on June 28, along with his bodyguard, Leody Jomilla.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. swore Colmenares into office, with Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and other PB members as witnesses.

Colmenares, whose appointment was only approved recently, was the unanimous choice of the Nationalist People’s Coalition to replace at the PB its slain party member, Malabor. 

Colmenares, who will join the regular session next week, said he is now hoping to do enough for the people in his district. “I will start with going around the barangays in the district to know what their needs are,” he added.

Prior to his appointment, Colmenares, a PB member from 1998 to 2004, was elected chief of Barangay Tuguis in Hinigaran town in the 2013 elections. With his new post at the PB, he was replaced by village councilman Adriano Yulate.

Meanwhile, Colmenares said he did not know yet if the committee chairmanships of Malabor will be passed on to him.

Malabor was the chairman of the committees on cooperatives and public utilities, facilities and franchises.  (FREEMAN)