The Heart of the Nation’s Political Transformation

In 2019, when Vico Sotto was elected Mayor of Pasig City, ending the Eusebio era that had lasted for more than 25 years, he publicly acknowledged and thanked the Eusebio family for their contributions to Pasig City, while at the same time emphasizing the beginning of a brand-new kind of politics. This is the mark of a rare but admirable trait in public leadership- humility. It was a gesture that demonstrated that public service is a shared mission, not a competition, and leadership in local governance is not built from scratch, but rather from the efforts of one administration to the next.

The Local Government of Naga City has likewise carried forward the legacy of Jesse Robredo, with each administration building upon the foundations he laid. Mayor Jesse planted the seeds of people-centered and trustworthy governance in Naga—and every mayor since has helped it flourish, in one way or another. With former Vice-President and now City Mayor Leni Robredo at the helm, there are deep symbolic and practical implications for the continuation of Jesse Robredo’s legacy, both as a return to roots and as a renewal of a governance philosophy that transformed local politics in the Philippines. In both Pasig City and Naga City, we are steadily beginning to see that the heart of the nation’s political transformation is at the local government level.

With Mayor Leni’s track record aligning with her husband’s values, such as transparency, integrity, and grassroots participation, we have so much to look forward to in the next three years. Her leadership begins where former Mayor Nelson Legacion’s legacy leaves off—advancing the gains made through his years of hard work, commitment, and dedicated service in his two-term tenure. Noteworthy among these are the significant progress made in infrastructure, health, education, and competitiveness. And progress being cumulative and collective, Mayor Leni takes off by sustaining successes achieved, correcting weaknesses where necessary, and scaling up the efforts already undertaken.

Each administration lays a brick from which the next one builds a still better foundation. We, Naguenos, are both hopeful and grateful.

TRIVIA:

Belated birthday greetings to the Archbishop Emeritus of Caceres, Rolando Tira-Tirona, and Happy Wedding Anniversary to bank manager Joey Vibar and his wife Olive.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“PROGRESS IS THE STEADY HANDS OF MANY COMMITTED TO THE SAME VISION”

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“WHOEVER WANTS TO BECOME GREAT AMONG YOU MUST BE YOUR SERVANT, AND WHOEVER WANTS TO BE FIRST MUST BE SLAVE OF ALL.

Mark 10:42-45