New South Cotabato gov vows free public education, medical services

Incoming South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. (sixth from right) takes his oath of office Friday in Koronadal City, the provincial capital. BONG S. SARMIENTO

KORONADAL CITY –– A 39-year-old small town mayor who toppled a political pillar in South Cotabato took his oath of office here Friday.

Governor-elect Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. was sworn into office by Judge Lorenzo Balo of the Regional Trial Court Branch 44 around 9:30 a.m.

Tamayo broke the 15-year rule of Daisy Avance Fuentes in the May 13 elections, the biggest political upset in the province’s history.

Fuentes ruled South Cotabato as governor for 15 years and representative of the second district for 12 years.

Tamayo was the mayor of Tupi town for three terms before wresting the province’s top post from Fuentes in a hotly contested gubernatorial race.

In his less than 20-minute inaugural address, Tamayo reiterated his campaign promise to provide free public education and hospitalization to residents.  This drew applause from the crowd.

Some 5,000 people attended the oath-taking of Tamayo at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and cultural complex here. (Editor: Leti Boniol)