CEBU CITY – To ensure smooth transition upon assumption of newly-elected officials on noontime of June 30, Cebu Governor-elect Gwendloyn Garcia sent a formal letter to outgoing Governor Hilario Davide III asking him to refrain from issuing midnight appointments and entering into so-called midnight deals.
Garcia reminded Davide “to refrain from issuing midnight appointments pursuant to existing laws, and regulations” and “refrain from entering midnight deals, contracts, and transactions that are proscribed under laws, rules, and regulations.”
“Most importantly, I am formalizing my strenuous objection to the sale of any province-owned real estate property to the public,” Garcia wrote, referring to the controversial 24.7-hectare Balili property in Tinaan village in Naga City which Davide wanted sold to the local government of Naga for P100 million.
Garcia, who was governor of Cebu for three consecutive terms until 2013, said she will not recognize any possible midnight deal by the current administration. “I am serving notice that any appointment and, or deals, contracts and transactions entered into during the transition period will not be honored by me,” Garcia said.
She also informed Davide that she has designated lawyers Manolette Dinsay, Marino Martinquilla, Lito Astillero, and Frank Eduard Dinsay as members of her transition team and that they have “specific instructions to coordinate with your Local Governance Transition Team to guarantee a seamless transition of my administration” into the provincial Capitol.
Copies of the incoming governor’s letter were also furnished to the provincial government’s bids and awards committee, human resources management office, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
In an earlier press statement, Garcia said her reminders were meant to ensure smooth transition until she formally assumes office. “Basically, the outgoing governor’s role from now on until the inauguration is merely just to prepare for the orderly transfer of authority to the incoming governor. He should not do anything to obstruct the policies of, or undermine, embarrass his successor,” Dinsay said. (John Rey Saavedra)
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