United Oriental Negros echoes in ceremony

LA LIBERTAD, Oriental Negros, Philippines  – Unity was the theme in the recent oath taking ceremony of incoming officials from the First District of Oriental Negros held at a local government-owned resort in this town last June 26.

As much as most of the guests were politicians, politics was set aside on this special occasion as members of different sectors from the whole province converged in La Limar Beach Resort. More than 400 guests including socialites, businessmen, academicians, the religious, and representatives from different marginalized groups graced the event.

There were politicians from other districts, including the Mayor of the town of Siaton of the Third District of the province, Mayor Albert Ator, who also took his oath together with elected officials of the First District. Mayor Ator is also a member of the Liberal Party of which most of the officials from the First District are members of.

Governor Agustin Perdices, Vice Governor Roel Degamo, and Second District Representative George Arnaiz were also present to witness the occasion, as well as the province’s grandfather of politics, former Governor and Representative Herminio Meniong Teves, father of former Senator and Finance Secretary Gary Teves.

The incoming politicians were sworn in by Dumaguete City Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Fe Lualhati Bustamante.

An otherwise hotspot in previous elections, this year the First District of Oriental Negros surprised election officials with peaceful and quiet polls.

In her inaugural speech, First District Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong tearfully thanked her supporters, including her family members for the assistance and encouragement that they gave her. She credits her overwhelming victory in the last elections as an affirmation that the people of the First District genuinely roots for change and recognized her efforts in her last term to be beneficial for the district.