BACOLOD CITY – After the resignation of Board Member Emilio Yulo III as chairman of the committee laws, ordinances, and good governance of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), Board Member Raul Rivera took over as committee head after giving up his other chairmanship to Yulo.

Each board member heads at least two committees, based on SP rules, and Yulo still chairs the committee on natural resources and environment protection.

As he gave up the committee on laws, Yulo assumed as head of the special committee on food and security previously chaired by Rivera.

Rivera, who represents the Philippine Councilors League-Negros Occidental Chapter in the Provincial Board, also heads the committee on senior citizens and veterans affairs.

On a resolution approved by the SP Wednesday, Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr. designated the chairmanship of the two committees to Rivera and Yulo.

Yulo resigned as committee on laws chairman after he lost to his uncle, Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol, in his congressional bid in the Fifth District during the special election on June 2.

"Delicadeza dictates that I ask to be relieved of such so that it may be reposed upon one who enjoys the utmost trust and confidence," Yulo said in a privilege speech last week.

He claimed that "a whole assembly of political titans" joined forces to help Mirasol win, adding that he battled "not against one particular candidate, but rather a whole assembly of political titans, who came not just from our district, but from far and beyond."

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., who backed Mirasol, dismissed Yulo's claims, saying it was the people of the Fifth District who brought victory to Mirasol.

"I'm not a titan, I'm just a small fry. I'm just an ant among the elephants," the governor quipped.

Mirasol, a Liberal Party member who was supported by the Marañon-led United Negros Alliance, got 81,982 votes, 13,103 more than Yulo's, to succeed the late Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, who passed away last January.*NLG