![oathtaking_1_resized Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. of South Cotabato, the National President of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), administers the oath-taking of close to 800 elected local officials from Iloilo province, Iloilo City and the island province of Guimaras as new members of PFP on Sunday, June 2. AJ PALCULLO/PN](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/oathtaking_1_resized-696x522.jpg)
ILOILO City – Close to 800 elected local officials from Iloilo province, this city and the island province of Guimaras took their oath yesterday as new members of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
This “alignment with President Marcos and his administration is a decision for development,” said Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., the party’s Western Visayas chairman. He cited administration programs that address issues such as food security, climate change, and territorial threats, among others.
From Iloilo province, 16 incumbent mayors were sworn in. They included Mayor Ian Keneth Alfeche of Alimodian, Mayor Suzette Mamon of Badiangan, Mayor Elvira Alarcon of Batad, Mayor Mark Palabrica of Bingawan, Mayor Elizalde Pueyo of Cabatuan, Mayor Francisco Calvo of Calinog, Mayor Mary Lynn Mosqueda of Estancia, Mayor Paulino Parian of Janiuay, Mayor Reynor Gonzales of Lambunao, Mayor Francis Amboy of Maasin, Mayor Lydia Grabato of Mina, Mayor Liecel Seville of New Lucena, Mayor Rafael Enrique Lazaro of Pototan, Mayor Dennis Superficial of Santa Barbara, Mayor Darwin Bajada of San Dionisio, and Mayor Ma. Jofel Soldevilla of Zarraga.
Sixteen municipal vice mayors, too, joined the PFP. They were from Alimodian, Badiangan, Banate, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Dingle, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina, New Lucena, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Zarraga.
No mayors and vice mayors from the 1st District showed up to take their oath.
As for Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members, representatives from all five congressional districts took their oaths, although only three from the 1st District joined the PFP.
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Additionally, three Iloilo Provincial Board members — Matt Palabrica, June Mondejar, and Rolito Cajilig — were sworn in.
No congressmen from Iloilo province participated in the oath-taking, but more than 400 barangay captains from the 3rd District joined the PFP, with Governor Defensor administering their oaths.
From Iloilo City, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon and City Councilors Alan Zaldivar, Frances Grace Parcon, Ely Estante, Romel Duron, Johnny Young, Jose Maria Miguel Treñas, and Irene Ong, along with some barangay captains, took their oaths.
From Guimaras, three incumbent mayors — Paul Vincent Dela Cruz of Nueva Valencia, Anabbelle Samaniego of Sibunag, and Samuel Gumarin of Buenavista — were sworn in.
Vice Mayors Cyril Beltran of Buenavista and Reynaldo Segovia of Sibunag, along with Provincial Board members Reymond Gavileño and Luben Vilches, also joined the PFP.
Numerous SB members from the five municipalities of Guimaras participated as well.
Gov.Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. of South Cotabato, the National President of the PFP, hailed the significance of nearly a thousand elected officials from Iloilo and Guimaras joining the PFP.
“The commitment of the Ilonggos is notable. Their participation marks a significant change in the political landscape, reflecting a shift towards the PFP and the Marcos administration,” said Tamayo.
Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., Special Assistant to the President and Executive Vice President of the PFP, echoed Tamayo’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of unity and commitment to the President’s goals for national development.
“Our goal of becoming a political powerhouse is a prerequisite for our great start of reshaping the political landscape to successfully push for transformative governance that will actually benefit our people and make the Philippines prosperous and future-ready,” said Lagdameo.
Governor Defensor expressed gratitude to President Marcos and the PFP for welcoming the officials from Iloilo and Guimaras.
“In Iloilo, we believe that development is the best defense against threats, and we aim to pursue this with the President and the PFP,” said Defensor.
Also present at the mass oath-taking were Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas, Guimaras’ Gov. Joaquin Carlos “JC” Rahman Nava, and Cong. Lucille Nava of Guimaras, along with Uswag Ilonggo party-list’s Rep. James “Jojo” Ang, but did not take the PFP oath./PN