Murcia officials take oath before Rep. Benitez

July 3, 2022

Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas, accompanied by his wife Berni, his father NFSP President Enrique D. Rojas and other Rojas family members, takes his oath of office before 3rd District Rep. Francisco Benitez.*

Re-elected Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez administered the oath of office to the re-elected and newly-elected municipal officials of Murcia led by re-elected Mayor Gerry M. Rojas and Vice-Mayor Johnny Reosura last June 28 at the town’s gymnasium.

“As Vice-Mayor Johnny Reosura said, the election and our hard work in securing our victory are over, and now it is time for us to work together,” said Rep. Benitez, as he congratulated the newly sworn-in officials for their new mandate for the next three years.

“Working together as a Sanggunian does not mean that you are always in total agreement. It is a part of your productive analysis of the issues and solutions being deliberated in your discussions. I hope you will ensure that all discussions are productive, and motivated by the mandate given to you by all Murciahanons,” Benitez added.

“If we really want to work for the good of all our constituents, we should forget about politics from now on. At the end of the day, the message of congratulations goes to all of you here today. Their victory is the victory of all Murciahanons. You trusted them and voted for them; now you should also scrutinize them and ensure that they perform their duties for the progress of Murcia,” he stressed.

Other officials who took their oath of office before Benitez were Sangguniang Bayan Members Phillip Belleza, Alfredo “Pidong” Villarosa, Kedy Yu, Jagie “Tata” Gravino, Jose “Bebot” Gomez, Adrian “Ader” Olimpo, Hernan Alintana and Antonio Luis “Anton” Gonzaga.

Murcia Vice-Mayor Johhny Reosura, accompanied by his family, takes his oath of office before 3rd District Rep. Francisco Benitez.*

Villarosa, Yu, Gravino, Gomez, Olimpo and Gonzaga are reelected officials. Belleza, the sole independent candidate, scored his first political victory in his first try, while Alintana was an ex-oficio SB Member as president of Murcia’s Association of Barangay Captains.

Mayor Rojas and Vice-Mayor Reosura are serving their second terms in their respective positions, and belong to the same political party in both their first and second terms.

Mayor Rojas presented a video of his accomplishment report, focusing on the seven-point agenda which he promised during his first term, and other programs and projects which he has delivered over and above what he had promised.

“Murcia has limited resources, but we were able to accomplish all these projects in just three years, mainly because of the unity of your municipal officials, our Barangay Captains and other barangay officials, our Department Heads and employees, the Philippine Army, PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, and most of all, because of the support and cooperation of all Murciahanons,” said Mayor Rojas.

He also expressed his gratitude to the support extended to his administration by Gov. Bong Lacson, Vice-Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, 3rd District Board Members Frederick “Manman” Ko and Andrew Montelibano, as well as the support from Rep. Kiko Benitez and his brother, former 3rd District Rep. and now Bacolod City Mayor-elect Albee Benitez, Abang Lingkod Rep. Stephen “Karaps” Paduano, and Senators Migz Zubiri and Bong Go.

“In living up to our slogan ‘Paspas Asenso, Murcia!’, we have accomplished much in just three years, but a lot more need to be done. We have to institute more programs to reach out to our beloved Murciahanons, so that they can directly feel and benefit from the services of their local government and local officials,” Rojas added.

He enjoined all Murciahanons to support his administration and cooperate with the town’s programs so that they can achieve their collective dream of a more progressive Murcia.* (Butch Bacaoco)