Tolentino promises smooth transition at Prov’l Board
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – There will be no hitches when Vice Gov.-elect Gabrielle “Billie” Calizo (Nacionalista Party) assumes her post as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan in July, said outgoing Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino (Lakas-CMD).
“The records of the SP are intact. There is no problem in the takeover of the new vice governor. All these things are accounted for,” he stressed.
Tolentino, a lawyer-journalist, urged the SP members to set aside politics and support the programs of reelected Gov. Carlito Marquez of Tibyog Akean.
“I’m happy with the frugality measures of the Aklan SP since 2004 when I assumed as vice governor,” Tolentino said.
Out of the P35-million annual budget of SP Aklan, the remaining budget is estimated at P19-million, Tolentino claimed.
The vice governor said he would “retire from politics for good” and instead pursue his public service as lawyer-journalist.
In his stint as SP presiding officer, Tolentino was instrumental in the passage of landmark ordinances, notably the Economic Enterprise Development Department, the Boracay one-entry one-exit scheme, and the Aklan River Development Council.
In the May 14 local and national elections, Calizo of Kusog it Akean dominated the vice gubernatorial race with a landslide victory against reelectionist Tolentino in 16 out of 17 towns.
Reelected SP members Daisy Sucro-Briones and Ramon Gelito, retired police officer Nemesio Neron and former Akelco board president Rodson Mayor led the opposition camp.
Tibyog Akean stalwarts Selywn Ibarreta, Plaridel Morania, Jose Yap, Gerick Templonuevo, Pedro Garcia and former vice governor Jean Rodriquez were also elected as SP members.