The newly elected officials of Bacolod City will take their oath of office before Philippine ring icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao at the Bacolod City Government Center at 5 p.m. today.
Pacquiao, who arrived in Bacolod City yesterday afternoon with his wife, Jinkee, said he is very honored to have been chosen by Mayor Evelio Leonardia to administer their oath today. He did not expect it, but he is very happy that the mayor has chosen him, he added. Also expected to witness the inauguration are Senator Franklin Drilon, former League of Cities president and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez Jr., and Gretchen Cojuangco. Pacquiao said Leonardia called him up after he won in the recent elections and invited him to Bacolod for the oathtaking rites as well as the inauguration of the new Government Center. The two are perceived to have a special bond because Pacquiao had chosen Leonardia to be the holder of his championship belts in his most successful triumphs in the ring. Leonardia said he has chosen Pacquiao because he is a duly elected congressman who won by an overwhelming majority and has toppled a dynasty in Sarangani. “His partylist, the People’s Champ Movement, I believe, is virtually controlling the province now, except for the governor and vice governor who are not his party mates,” he said. Leonardia said he believes that Pacquiao is not only a boxing great but has all the makings now of a political great, plus the fact that he is an adopted son of Bacolod and is the most popular Filipino in the international scene today. He is listed in the World’s 100 Most Influential People by the Forbes Magazine, and they have also personal ties with him being the godfather of Pacquiao’s first daughter, Leonardia said. Meanwhile, Pacquiao said he will file a bill creating a provincial hospital and a university in Sarangani. He said his partylist will focus on their sports programs. Pacquiao thanked the Bacoleños for their support and said he hopes they will continue to support him in his future endeavors. Meanwhile, the cutting of the ribbon to formally open the government center, as well as the unveiling of the NGC marker will start at 4:30 p.m. to be followed by the inaugural ceremony at 5 p.m. To be sworn in today, aside from Leonardia are Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, councilors El Cid Familiaran, Homer Bais, Archie Baribar, Em Ang, Sonya Verdeflor, Elmer Sy, Caesar Distrito, Catalino Alisbo, Roberto Rojas, Al Victor Espino, Carl Jose Lopez, and Dindo Ramos. The inaugural ceremony will be highlighted by a special performance from world renowned soprano Lisa Cabahug and a big fireworks display. There will also be a night-long concert at the NGC grounds after the ceremony. Acting Bacolod police director Senior Supt. Celestino Guara said he will deploy 100 policemen at the government center today and will also assign some policemen as security escorts of the VIP’s.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
|