The members of the 29th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) led by Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite unanimously confirmed the appointments of the new Provincial Administrator (PA) and Provincial Legal Officer (PLO) during the august body’s regular session on July 5, 2022, reports indicate.

Asteria Caberte was confirmed as the new PA with lawyer Handel Lagunay as the new PLO.

Caberte and Lagunay replace Kathyrin Pioquinto and Julius Gregory Delgado as PA and PLO, respectively. Pioquinto and Delgado are co-terminus officials, meaning they also stepped down when former Gov. Arthur Yap ended his term on June 30, 2022.

Gov. Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado sent a letter to the provincial board requesting concurrence and confirmation of the appointments of Caberte and Lagunay with a co-terminus status, and a monthly compensation of P113, 891.

The appointments of Caberte and Lagunay are effective July 1, 2022, reports bare.

Caberte served 42 years at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). She ended her career at the said agency as an Assistant Secretary.

Prior to her appointment as PA, Caberte served as Regional Director of DTI Central Visayas for 20 years and Provincial Director of DTI Bohol from 1992 to 1998.

Moreover, Lagunay is now in his 2nd tour of duty as PLO. He first took the helm of the PLO during the administration of the late Gov. Erico Boyles Aumentado from 2001 to 2010.

He was also the head of the transition team of Gov. Aris Aumentado.

Furthermore, Lagunay also served as the City Legal Officer of former Tagbilaran City Mayor Jose Torralba. (Joshua Fullido)