PB defers appointment of ex-board member as Capitol consultant

Local

THE Cebu Provincial Board on Monday deferred the appointment of lawyer John Ismael “Jiembo” Borgonia, a former Board Member, as consultant on political and social matters while approving contracts for nine other consultants.

The Board postponed Borgonia’s confirmation pending his appearance at the next regular session to clarify the scope of his consultancy.

Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III questioned what “political and social matters” specifically include and cautioned that the appointment might be viewed as “a simple political accommodation.”

He Stressed the need for transparency before committing public funds.

Borgonia is set to receive a monthly compensation of P60,000 for the position.

Resolution

Board Member Raymond Joseph Calderon, who sponsored the resolution, defended the governor’s prerogative to appoint consultants but agreed that Borgonia’s explanation before the Board is reasonable.

Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco recalled Borgonia’s cstatement made last May while he was still a Board Member, in which he opposed the approval of a P1.2 billion supplemental budget requested by then-Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, describing the Provincial Board as a “rubber stamp.”

Soco said the remarks caused “so much tension and disastrous impact” on the Board’s reputation.

He questioned how Borgonia could accept a consultancy from the same institution but said he would respect the governor’s decision if the Board approved the appointment.

Martinez proposed amending the resolution to defer Borgonia’s appointment until he could explain the objectives and duties of the role in the next session.

The amendment was accepted.

Others approved

The Board approved contracts for nine other consultants, including the governor's daughter Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan for health and hospital development; Atty. Serecio Mathew Jo for transportation and mobility; Michael Francis Acebedo Lopez for international relations; and Maria Victoria Osméña for international studies and education.

Others also include Engr. Grecilda Padilla Sanchez for livelihood and sustainable agriculture; Atty. Edmund Lao as legal consultant; Christopher Baricuatro for legislative matters; Romanico Ocampo for internal audit; and Jose Eleazar Bersales for heritage and culture.

Borgonia’s consultancy contract remains pending until his scheduled appearance before the Board.

Respects decision

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Borgonia said he respects the decision of his former colleagues to defer the resolution confirming his appointment as consultant on political and social matters for Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

In a message to MyTV Cebu, the former lawmaker acknowledged the condition set by the Provincial Board that he must be physically present in the next regular session to discuss the scope of his role.

He added that he is choosing not to address comments made by Board Members during the Monday session.

“I choose to remain silent for now about their comments and will speak only if necessary. I choose peace as of the moment,” he said.(MyTVCebu)