A senior spokesman for Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. yesterday dismissed outright innuendoes being peddled by his critics that the governor has been invited, along with Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Renante Decena, to a special Sangguniang Panlalawigan session today to shed light on the sheep procurement issue.

“This is just a ploy, a desperate propaganda. That’s what they are good at: disinformation,” Jose Ma. Valencia, the governor’s chief of staff and concurrent spokesman, said in a press release.

Valencia stressed that the text messages sent to members of the media were meant to confuse the public, and said he does not believe the honorable members of the Sanggunian will go to such lengths as to summon the presence of the Governor at their session.

In the first place, Valencia said, they have no legal ground to summon the Executive.

He also clarified that his function as the governor’s spokesman is nothing new, it’s just that he will be addressing issues more often now, especially since Marañon’s schedule is occupied with delivering projects to the towns and cities.

“In the absence of the good governor, I will be responding to them especially on legal matters. If I am not available, because I also have field work every now and then, there will be Atty. Pauline Nuega to pinch-hit for me,” he said.

Provincial Administrator Enrique Pinongan, on the other hand, will respond to queries regarding day-to-day Capitol operations, as he usually does.

Meanwhile, Board Member Patrick Lacson issued a press statement saying that the governor should answer allegations, there is no need for spokespersons.

“Why all of a sudden, a very vocal chief executive needed a spokesperson? Three spokespersons at that! When he’s capable of answering them himself. Or perhaps he’s not? Is there truth to the allegations of the town mayor regarding the overpriced sheep? The answer is simply a yes or no,” Lacson said.

Lacson said he hopes the Sangguniang Panlalawigan can take the sheep issue up as soon as possible and conduct an investigation.

“I, along with the other board members, approved the loan for the purchase of cattle and sheep for the Food Sufficiency Program of the province, trusting that it will benefit the people. But if indeed, there was overpricing on the purchase of the sheep, then we should hold the government officials responsible for this accountable,” Lacson said.

Dr. Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian, should shed light on this, he added.

Lacson said he is calling on concerned citizens to be vigilant and help ensure that basic services are delivered to them without their being short changed.”

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