ILOILO — Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. has ascended to a key national leadership role, having been elected Senior Vice President for Visayas and Regional Chairperson for Region 6 of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), placing him at the forefront of inter-provincial coordination and policymaking in the Visayas.
His election took place during the League’s 1st General Assembly and Election of Officers on July 25 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City, where governors from across the country convened to shape the national agenda of the League.
Defensor, now part of the LPP National Executive Board, will serve a three-year term and is expected to spearhead regional development strategies and foster unity among Visayan provinces. His assumption to the post was formalized during an oath-taking ceremony administered by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
With this new mandate, Defensor joins a powerhouse team of elected governors leading the LPP. Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. of South Cotabato was elected as National President, while Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua of Quirino was chosen as National Chairman.
Governor Lilia G. Pineda of Pampanga assumed the position of Executive Vice President.
Other regional senior vice presidents elected were Gov. Rodolfo T. Albano for North Luzon, Gov. Lray F. Villafuerte Jr. for South Luzon, and Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. for Mindanao.
Gov. or Henry S. Oaminal was appointed as Secretary-General.
The new set of officers vowed to champion local governance, push for responsive national policies, and amplify the voices of provinces on the national stage./PN
