ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has appointed former Provincial Board member Carol V. Espinosa-Diaz as his third executive assistant drawn from the ranks of former elected officials in just over a week, expanding his team tasked with overseeing programs across the province.
Espinosa-Diaz, who represented Iloilo’s 5th District in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for three consecutive terms, was appointed Executive Assistant II with Salary Grade 17, equivalent to P49,562 monthly.
Her appointment followed those of former Barotac Viejo mayor Niel “Beng” Tupas III and former Dumangas vice mayor Ian Dolutan, who took their oaths before Defensor last week.
Espinosa-Diaz will handle projects and programs intended for residents of the 5th District, particularly the municipalities of Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, Sara, San Dionisio, Lemery, Balasan, Concepcion, Estancia, Carles, San Rafael, and Batad.
She will work under the supervision of Provincial Administrator Raul Banias.
Espinosa-Diaz thanked Defensor for giving her another opportunity to serve 5th District residents, this time as an executive assistant.
She served as Provincial Board member from 2016 to 2025. In the last elections, she ran for mayor of Ajuy but lost to her cousin, Mayor Loida Espinosa.
Her appointment brought to seven the number of executive assistants in the Office of the Governor.
The team is headed by Atty. Ruel Von Superio, Defensor’s chief of staff and head of the Provincial Population Office. Superio receives Salary Grade 26, equivalent to P131,807, as population office chief.
Tupas serves as Executive Assistant III with Salary Grade 19, or P59,153 monthly.
Espinosa-Diaz, Dolutan, former Estancia vice mayor Rowena Placencia, and Haydee Pasuelo are Executive Assistant IIs receiving Salary Grade 17, or P49,562 each.
Rene Felecio serves as Executive Assistant IV with Salary Grade 22, equivalent to P102,603 monthly./PN
