Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. yesterday suggested that the job of caretaker of the fifth district of Negros Occidental following the death of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. be divided among the congressmen of its neighboring districts.
The fifth district covers Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Himamaylan, Isabela, Moses Padilla and La Castellana.
Alvarez said both Rep. Mecedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) and Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 5th District) could share the job.
Or perhaps Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. could also take on the job of caretaker of the fifth district, he said.
Another likely caretaker could be Bayan Rep. Neri Colmenares who is from La Castellana.
Colmenares, who is a member of the House prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, said he is willing to take on the job of caretaker of the fifth district if assigned to him.
The job of a caretaker is to follow up bills and projects for the benefit of the district, he said.
Even while Arroyo was ill he had been looking into his bills to see how they could be hastened in the House, Colmenares said.
Earlier, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said the holding of a special election for the replacement of Arroyo may not be done with the May 2013 polls already fast approaching.
If he names a caretaker, he would announce the name after the funeral of Arroyo, Belmonte said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) yesterday denied that he was meeting with President Aquino to discuss the replacement of Arroyo.
Consultation is being done with the Comelec on whether there is time for a special election, he said.
Aside from what appears to be lack of time for a special election, holding it could cost about P6 million, a DAILY STAR source said.
Arroyo died at the London Clinic on January 26 reportedly from multiple organ failure, sepsis pneumonia and chronic liver disease.
His long time companion Grace Ibuna was with him.
The remains of Arroyo are expected to be brought back to the Philippines late this week, and his sister-in-law former president Gloria Arroyo is asking for court permission to visit the wake and be at the funeral.
Arroyo’s second wife, Alicia Morales-Arroyo, insists that his remains should be returned to her as she is his legal wife.
Meanwhile, Bianca Arroyo, daughter of Arroyo from his first wife, Marilyn Jacinto, appealed over ABS-CBN in London for a peaceful wake and burial for her father.*CPG back
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