ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. will deliver his “State of the Province Address,” or SOPA, on Dec. 11 during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at the Iloilo provincial capitol.
Defensor wrote Vice Gov. Christine Garin, presiding officer of the Provincial Board, asking for a “privileged hour” with the Board members.
The governor previously told the press he wanted to have an “impactful” SOPA but did not say what exactly he will say in his annual speech.
But if his previous SOPAs were an indication, Defensor may be expected to speak again about his “Reform and Change” platform, which he touted as he sought a return to the gubernatorial post in 2010, nine years after his previous occupation of the office.
Among others, he may also talk about his various accomplishments, especially the improvements in capitol-run hospitals.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has already approved of the Dec. 11 SOPA.
Defensor, who will celebrate his 77th birthday on Dec. 25, is currently on his third and last term – and no longer allowed to seek the same position in the 2019 midterm elections.
“Mapahuway na ako sa pulitika,” the governor previously said amid rumors that he would seek the mayoral post in Iloilo City next year.
His son, 3rd District’s Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr., was seeking to replace him.
Defensor Sr. was also the Iloilo governor from 1992 to 2001./PN
