Mayor Evelio Leonardia and El Cid Familiaran (4th and 3rd from left) with GP councilors Israel Salanga, Cindy Tan-Rojas, Em Legaspi-Ang and Renecito Novero (l-r)*
Outgoing Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia administered the oaths of office of reelected Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and four Grupo Progreso councilors, and delivered his final message as the top city executive at the Bacolod City Government Center Wednesday afternoon, June 29.
Familiaran was accompanied by his wife, Portia, during the oath-taking rites.
The mayor also swore into office GP councilors Israel Salanga, Em Legaspi-Ang, Cindy Tan-Rojas and Renecito Novero.
Leonardia paid tribute to Familiaran, his Grupo Progreso peers and the barangay captains who stayed with him in his public service journey that has spanned 30 years, 18 years of which were as mayor, a press release said.
Outgoing Mayor Evelio Leonardia administered the oath of office of reelected Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran who was accompanied by his wife, Portia.*
He also thanked the city councilors and village heads for their role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You are the best thing that ever happened to me,” an emotional Leonardia, who made history as the longest-serving mayor of Bacolod, said.
Leonardia is the only Bacolod official who has occupied all elective posts starting as No. 1 councilor in 1988, as vice mayor, mayor, congressman and staged a successful come-back as mayor in 2016, the press release said.
“Deep in our hearts, we know that we are all winners,” Leonardia said, drawing cheers and applause from the red-shirt attendees.
Addressing his loyal political supporters, party mates and barangay captains, he further said “you are the reason why I stayed this long (as mayor).”
“You are the reason why I started this journey because when I met all of you, I fell in love with you,” he added.
Leonardia recalled that in his younger days, his close associates never thought he would enter the world of politics.
His wife, Elsa, and daughter Kara also joined him during the oath-taking ceremonies.
Also present were outgoing Sangguniang Panlungsod members Archie Baribar, Ann Marie Palermo and Dindo Ramos.*