RDC 8 requests PGMA to appoint permanent Co-chair, submits nominees

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August 23, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte – The Regional Development Council of Eastern Visayas in its meeting on August 17 approved a resolution requesting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint permanent chair and co-chair for this term which will end on June 30, 2007.

The Resolution became imperative after the Council found out that its current Co-Chair Pauline Nayra signed the second impeachment complaint against the President. Considering that the chair and co-chair of the Regional Development Councils are appointed by the President and are considered positions of trust, Mrs. Nayra’s action was perceived by many RDC 8 members as very much contrary to the oath she had taken when she assumed the co-chair position.

Some members remembered that Mrs. Nayra also led oust Gloria rally in Tacloban City in last year.

RDC 8 Chairperson Southern Leyte Governor Rosette Lerias humbly submitted herself also, to give the President a free-hand to decide who she wants to appoint as chair and co-chair of RDC 8 which to her belief is a crucial matter since the President is giving the RDC’s more active role in the realization of the economic growth and development envisioned through the creation of the Mega Regions.

The usual process in the selection of chair and co-chair is that the body nominates to the President the names of the two candidates for chair and two names for the co-chair from whom the President will decide who to appoint.

Following the same procedure, the body nominated Governor Lerias and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento for the position of Chairperson. The same body nominated Mr. Eugene Tan, Atty. Mike Tizon and Mr. Bonifacio Borromeo, all private sector representatives to the RDC 8, for the position of Co-Chair.

Governor Lerias said that the names and the resolution will be submitted by the RDC Secretariat the soonest possible time so that the President could act on it. In the meantime, it will be status quo in the RDC 8 until such time that the replacement for Mrs. Nayra has been appointed by the President.

The RDC meeting was attended not only by the members but also of the media and most especially Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas Secretary Victor Domingo.