House speaker to swear in Iloilo barangay captains

By Loine Hope Conserva

HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez will administer the oath of incoming barangay captains from Iloilo City and the 1st to 3rd districts of Iloilo province on June 24, 2018, at the Iloilo Convention Center.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said he already met with congressmen Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City, Oscar Garin Jr. of the 1st district, Arcadio Gorriceta of the 2nd district, and Arthur Defensor Jr. of the 3rd district who all confirmed to join the mass oath-taking.

“We will not encourage barangay captains from far-flung areas but if they really want, they can join,” he said.

The governor clarified that the ceremony is for the candidates’ new term as they assume office on June 30, 2018, not an oath-taking as new members of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Defensor said he also extended the invitation to the leaders of the 4th and 5th districts but he said their attendance is voluntary.

As to Rep. Raul Tupas of the 5th district, Defensor said the former will still meet with the mayors to inform them of the invitation.

“He will call me as to the result of the meeting. Our invitation is purely voluntary for only those who want to attend,” he said.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City has 180 barangays. Rep. Treñas said he has yet to finalize the invitations to the barangay captains.

Garin and Defensor Jr. have transferred to PDP-Laban from LP and it was also Alvarez who administered their oath in January 2018.

Gorriceta is still with Liberal Party while Biron and Tupas are with Nacionalista Party.

(Reposted from The Daily Guardian)