Talisay City mayor-elect Johnny V. Delos Reyes got the blessings of outgoing Mayor Socrates Fernandez.
Although coming from opposing political parties, the fight against poverty precedes partisan politics.
Delos Reyes is a member Liberal Party (LP) while Fernandez, an incoming city councilor, ran under the Alayon Party of defeated mayoral candidate Eduardo Gullas.
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale administered the oath of office to Delos Reyes, vice mayor-elect Romeo Villarante, Councilors Fernandez, Val Ylanan and Danny Caballero.
In his speech following the oathtaking, Fernandez cited a biblical passage that he considers an instruction from heaven on why he’s supporting the new mayor.
“Join the group of those who leads you [Magpasakop kamo sa nangulo kaninyo]. As you are doing this, you respected him as your emissary and also respected Me,” Fernandez said quoting 1st Peter 3:13-14.
He added: “I salute the newly elected mayor for his fight against poverty and not the fight against the rival politicians [ug di ang pagpakigaway sa mga kontras politika].”
Talisaynons need is unity. Fighting and arguing won’t lead to success, Fernandez said.
“I would like to support him for all his good projects for the people. [Atong paluyohan ang mga maayong proyekto sa mga katawhan],” Fernadez said.
He said that although he is a member of the Alayon Party, he regards the party “as a transient home since his real home is the people.”
Like Fernandez, Magpale salutes Delos Reyes for his flagship of attending the needs of the people before anything else.
“What the outgoing mayor and the incoming mayor showed to us this afternoon is an example of what should be in the government service. Our sincerity is seen today.”
“I see a bright future for Talisay City and I see a very bright future for Delos Reyes’ governance because this early, I had seen the helping hand of the former two different political parties,” Magpale said.
Delos Reyes said that he would focus on giving jobs to the more than 200,000 Talisaynons in order to alleviate them from poverty. He also wanted to buy new sets of medical equipments for the Talisay City District Hospital so the Talisaynons will no longer suffer if they need medication since he will give the services for free. /Christine Emily L. Pantaleon, Correspondent