NEW ADMINISTRATION. Governor Jorge "Guido" Reyes, the new governor of Negros Oriental province, signs documents on Monday (March 13, 2023), when he first physically reported for work at the Capitol. Reyes, who is battling a serious illness, was sworn into office following the gun slay of Governor Roel Degamo last March 4. (Photo courtesy of Capitol PIO)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Negros Oriental Governor Carlo Jorge Juan “Guido” Reyes has assured provincial government workers that there will be no transfer of assignments or reshuffling as he takes over the province’s affairs after the recent death of Governor Roel Degamo.
An ailing Reyes reported for work physically for the first time late Monday afternoon, over a week after he was installed into office by Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. as the new governor of Negros Oriental by virtue of the rule of succession.
Reyes, who is undergoing treatment for a serious illness, arrived at the Capitol in good spirits, signing documents, officiating the oath of office of the new provincial administrator and the provincial legal officer, and greeting his constituents.
“To the workers of the province, do not be sad. I will not replace any of you, except for these two,” he said in the Cebuano dialect, referring to new appointees lawyers Karen Lisette Molas, provincial administrator; and Mary Grace Antique, provincial legal officer.
Speaking with the aid of a microphone and speaker, a teary-eyed Reyes said the death of Degamo has brought sadness to the province and its people “and yet this will also be the start of bringing peace to Negros Oriental.”
He burst into tears earlier as he hugged a life-sized standee of Degamo inside the Office of the Governor.
Reyes, the running mate Degamo in the May 2022 polls, was also elected into office as vice governor of Negros Oriental.
He took his oath before Abalos hours after Degamo was pronounced dead last March 4 in a brazen attack at his residential compound in Pamplona town, where eight others were killed and 17 more injured.
Degamo, whose body was brought to Barangay Bonawon in his hometown, Siaton, on Tuesday, will be laid to rest on Thursday.
Road accident
Meanwhile, a Cebu-based reporter covering the Pamplona massacre died from severe injuries after she figured in a vehicular accident on Sunday afternoon in Barangay Tampi, San Jose town in Negros Oriental.
Pegeen Maisie Manlangit Sararaña, a reporter of Cebu Daily News (digital), from Carcar City, Cebu, was riding a motorcycle driven by Niel Ian Mascardo Balcobero en route to Tampi wharf to take the barge across to her home province when a truck hit them.
Sararaña and Balcobero were brought to the hospital for treatment. The truck driver is now detained.
Sararaña passed away on Monday evening, just a week after she arrived in Negros Oriental following the March 4 attack at Degamo’s residence in Pamplona. Balcobero remains in critical condition. (PNA)
