ILOILO City – One three-year term as mayor – his own term – is good enough already, according to Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
He expressed confidence of achieving what he has set out to do for the city in three years such as rehabilitating public markets and building a sports arena.
“Kon maglawig-lawig pa ‘ko kay indi pa ‘ni akon term (I wish to be given a little more time because this isn’t my term),” said Espinosa.
Espinosa as mayor is simply serving the remaining months of the three-year term of dismissed mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.
Elected vice mayor in 2016, Espinosa became this city’s mayor by operation of law – when Mabilog was dismissed in October last year by the Office of the Ombudsman for unexplained wealth.
“Indi man ko ‘ya gusto magbato diri. Bisan three years lang ko basi makuha ko man ina tanan (I don’t intend to stick forever to the mayor’s seat. Three years may be good enough for me to fulfill what I have set out to do for the city),” said Espinosa.
The mayor noted that in the few months since he became the city’s chief executive, Iloilo has been nominated for several good governance awards.
The Iloilo River initiative, the city’s entry to the Galing Pook Awards which recognizes innovative practices by local government units, is a finalist.
The city is also a finalist for the National Literacy Award of the Department of Education and the Seal of Good Local Governance of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Recently, the metropolis was cited as “most improved” highly urbanized city.
Espinosa said he plans to retire from politics early so he could spend more time with his family./PN
