Negros Oriental Vice Governor Manuel 'Chaco' Sagarbarria on Wednesday officially sworn in as the new governor of the province.
He automatically assumed the position following the death of Jorge Carlo Joan "Guido" Reyes due to a lingering terminal illness.
Sagarbarria took his oath before Executive Judge Gerardo Paguio Jr. at the Samgguniang Session Hall at the Legislative Building.
Present during his oath-taking ceremony were the provincial board members and Sagarbarria's family — his mother Dumaguete City Vice Mayor Maisa Sagarbarria, two children, and his sister.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial officer Farah Gentuya also witnessed the oath-taking.
In his speech, Sagarbarria said he was saddened by the death of Reyes.
"Congratulating me would not be the correct manner of saying it. I would suggest that you greet me saying 'Good luck!'," he said.
"I am already here. So I will do my best being the governor and try to bring my ability to help the province of Negros Oriental," Sagarbarria further said.
Reyes, who succeeded slain former governor Roel Degamo, passed away at a hospital in Metro Manila. He was 62 years old.
