MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, Philippines—Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III took his oath before Governor Corazon Malanyaon here in a simple but festive ceremony shortly before noon Friday, saying he was grateful to a province that contributed much to his victory.
Pimentel, who was declared the true 12th winner of the 2007 senatorial elections by the Senate Electoral Tribunal, hails from Cagayan de Oro City.
In explaining his choice of this city over his hometown, Pimentel said he was overwhelmed by the support shown to him by the people of Davao Oriental in the last elections.
He said it was also a fulfillment of a promise he made during the “excitement of the 2007 campaign period” that he would take his oath of office here if he won a berth in the 24-seat Senate.
“I could have taken my oath in Cagayan de Oro where I was born… (but) I was impressed with the results in Davao Oriental even without me having visited the place. Through my appeals only to the people of Davao Oriental, they supported me and gave me such wonderful placing in the province,” said Pimentel. “I also have high placing in Cagayan de Oro and in Misamis Oriental but it’s my place of my birth so I have many relatives while in Davao Oriental I virtually do not have any relatives.”
The 47-year-old son of former senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. was accompanied by his family, among them, his mother Bing and wife Jewel.
Local officials led by Malanyaon were likewise thankful to the country’s newest senator for choosing Mati as venue for his oath-taking.
“It’s an honor for us in Mati, for being the venue of Senator Pimentel’s oath-taking. It’s like bringing the whole country to our city… showcasing what we have,” said Mayor Michelle Rabat.
Malanyaon said the support of Davao Oriental residents for the elder Pimentel, who was among those who pushed for the cityhood of Mati, was translated into votes for the younger Pimentel.
The new senator garnered over 69,000 votes in Davao Oriental, at least 17,000 of them from Mati, and placed third in the senatorial race in the province, according to Malanyaon.
Pimentel won convincingly in Davao Oriental despite not having a single provincial official under his banner, the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino, which was founded by his father.
Officials said the “phone patch” campaign he hastily made to local leaders as well as “discreet visits of appeal” by the elder Pimentel, helped Koko win big in the mostly agricultural province.
When he steps inside the halls of the Senate on Monday, Pimentel said, among his priorities will be crafting laws against electoral fraud.
He said automation of the election process, the main feature of last year’s general elections, should be upgraded and a new system be used “so we can be a step ahead of groups and syndicates behind election frauds.”
As to the issue of being a victim of cheating, Pimentel said this strengthened his resolve to fight injustice. But he maintained there was no bad blood between him and former senator Miguel Zubiri.
“Let bygones be are bygones. I want to establish my friendship with Zubiri. But cases will continue,” Pimentel told reporters during a press conference shortly before the oath-taking.
He said he already received the sworn statement of suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, which, he said, detailed the cheating in the region.
Pimentel said he supports the pushing of the freedom of information bill, “and anything that promotes transparency, I promote. We just have to talk on the terms.”
Before the ceremony, Pimentel and his family attended Mass at the capitol’s chapel. The whole affair took three hours.
He also paid a courtesy visit to the governor’s office, where Malanyaon briefed him about Davao Oriental.
Also present during Friday’s event were other Mindanao leaders such as Davao del Sur Governor. Douglas Cagas, Butuan City Mayor Franklin Amante, Davao Oriental 1st district Representative Nelson Dayanghirang and mayors and other local officials from Davao Oriental.
The provincial board of Davao Oriental and the city and municipal councils of Mati and Banaybanay, respectively, passed resolutions making Koko their adopted son, which officials said, showed how Koko was well-received by Davao Oriental residents.
“You are now our son, our big brother in the Senate,” said Malanyaon.
The new senator returned the favor by pledging he would make Davao Oriental his priority in giving funds for projects in Mindanao.
“And Davao del Sur is No. 2,” Pimentel said, looking toward Cagas, drawing laughter from the crowd at the capitol’s covered court.
He also vowed to fight for a bigger share for Mindanao in the national budget.
“I’ll do my very best as a senator in the limited time that I have to bring as much money for Mindanao,” he said. He also pledged support for overseas Filipino workers.
Pimentel and his entourage then motored to Davao del Norte, where he met with Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy and partymate Jose Silvosa, mayor of Panabo City, before going back to Davao City for his flight to Manila.