To lead for three-years
TACLOBAN CITY – Newly elected and re-elected officials across Eastern Visayas formally took their oaths of office on Monday, June 30, following their victory in the May 12 midterm elections.
In Samar province, Governor Sharee Ann Tan led the oath-taking ceremony held at the grounds of the provincial capitol in Catbalogan City as she vowed of more projects and services for the benefit of her people.
She was joined by her siblings, Reps. Stephen James Tan (1st District) and Reynolds Michael Tan (2nd District), who are all embarking on their second consecutive terms. Their uncle, Board Member Arnold Tan, also took his oath for another term in office.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicolas Torre III, who served as Samar’s police provincial director from 2017 to 2019, was among the guests who witnessed the ceremony. City mayors Dexter Uy of Catbalogan and Raymund Uy of Calbayog, along with all town mayors in the province, were also sworn into office.
In Biliran, returning Governor Rogelio Espina took his oath of office, while his younger brother, Rep. Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina Jr., had earlier taken his oath along with several municipal mayors.
In Northern Samar, multiple mayors were sworn in, including first-time local chief executives from San Isidro, Victoria, Allen, Biri, and Catarman, the provincial capital.
Outgoing Governor Edwin Ongchuan, who was elected as congressman, and his successor, Governor Harris Ongchuan, took their oaths earlier on June 19 during the province’s founding anniversary.
Southern Leyte officials, led by reelected Governor Damian Mercado, also took their oaths along with 1st District Rep. Roger Mercado and 2nd District Rep. Christopherson Yap.
In Leyte, 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez and his wife, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, were among those sworn in. Rep. Gomez, now on his second term, thanked his constituents for their continued support.
“Thank you for giving me this chance to serve you again as your congressman, and for giving me the chance to continuously improve and make Ormoc and the 4th district of Leyte one of the most progressive districts in the Philippines,” he said.
Also sworn in was Albuera Mayor Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, who reiterated his commitment to eliminate illegal drugs in his town and to focus on improving its agriculture sector.
In Eastern Samar, 25-year-old Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone, the youngest governor in the region, led the mass oath-taking ceremony. Newly elected lone district Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and other provincial officials were also sworn into office.
The regional mass oath-taking ceremonies signal the formal start of governance for the next three years as local officials across Eastern Visayas prepare to fulfill their mandates.
JOEY A. GABIETA
