Yasay questions naming of Mugot as acting vice guv

By SHIELA MAE BUTLIG
Correspondent

PROVINCIAL board member Dexter Yasay on Monday cautioned Vice Gov. Jeremy Jonahmar Pelaez against designating just about any provincial board member as acting vice governor whenever Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano is away.

Yasay, during the provincial board’s session, questioned Pelaez’s designation of board member Jessa Josephine Mugot as acting vice governor when Pelaez was named acting governor by Emano.

He asserted that provincial board member Wayne Militante of the province’s 1st District should have served as acting vice governor because he topped the race for seats in the legislature during the May elections.

Yasay also questioned Mugot’s act of signing documents, saying she could be charged with usurpation of authority.

“I’m very much bothered,” said Yasay even as he pointed out that the provincial board has succession protocols that should have been followed. “I was surprised that the acting [vice governor] was board member Jessa Mugot and not board member Wayne Militante — he (Militante) is our No. 1 board member in the province.”

Yasay said he was bothered that Mogut signed documents during the period that she served as acting vice governor.

“I think there is a document signed by board member Jessa Mugot… regarding the mid-year bonuses. I think that was not [within] her authority. It’s usurpation of authority,” he said.

Pelaez, for his part, said he would ask the interior department about Yasay’s concern. He said he would also try to find out who among the provincial board members really ranked No. 1 in the May elections.

“Di man gud nako mahibaw-an kinsay No. 1 nga board member — Saysay Emano (Syrae Mae Emano) ba or Wayne Militante,” he said.
Emano and Militante topped the election for provincial board seats in the province’s 2nd and 1st districts, respectively.

“Mangutana ko aron atong mahibaw-an next time og unsay maayo ug unsa gyud insakto,” said Pelaez.