ILOILO – Seven members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) are ending their terms this June 30. They were profuse in their thank you messages during their last session on June 25.
Five delivered valedictory addresses: Demetrio Sonza and Liecel Mondejar-Seville of the 2nd District; Manny Gallar of the 3rd District; and Nielo Tupas and Jeneda Salcedo-Orendain of the 5th District.
Seville, now the mayor-elect of New Lucena town, cited supportive colleagues, the SP Secretariat and capitol department heads.
She said her 2016-2019 SP stint was a chance to prove she could tackle legislative duties. She authored 16 ordinances.
Sevilla, the New Lucena mayor before winning as SP member in the May 2016 elections, described her legislative work as “fulfilling.”
“It taught me the importance of the SP in governance,” she stressed.
Gallar, on the other hand, said, “It has been the biggest honor of my life to represent the people of the 3rd District. Nangin daku nga bahin sa akon kabuhi ang serbisyo publiko. I never imagined myself being a public servant.”
Gallar was a popular reporter and anchorman of DyFM Bombo Radyo Iloilo before joining politics.
He ran for 3rd District congressman in the recent May 13 midterm elections but lost to fellow SP member Lorenz Defensor.
“Now it’s time for me to focus my service to my wife and children. I will miss the people in my office who have worked so hard to help me,” said Gallar who is wrapping up three consecutive terms of three years each (2010-2013, 2013-2016, 2016-2019).
For his part, Tupas said he “learned a lot from each one of you,” referring to his SP colleagues since 2010.
Now the mayor-elect of Barotac Viejo town, Tupas recalled his first SP session in 2010. “I was nervous but eventually became confident and comfortable because of the help of my colleagues.”
“Thank you for making me a good leader and public servant,” added Tupas.
Orendain and Sonza thanked colleagues, the SP secretariat and their office staff, too.
Orendain has been an SP member since 2010. Last month she was elected Sangguniang Bayan member of Sara town.
Sonza, meanwhile, announced he was retiring from politics after three consecutive SP terms (2010-2013, 2013-2016, 2016-2019).
SP member Lorenz Defensor, now congressman-elect of the 3rd District, opted not to deliver a valedictory address, and so was SP member Bryant Paul Biron who is now mayor-elect of Barotac Nuevo./PN
