Pasig’s Eusebio proclaimed, at last

Pasig City mayoralty candidate Vicente Eusebio was finally proclaimed winner yesterday by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In a five-page order issued by the poll body’s en banc dated May 21, 2004, signed by all the commissioners, except Commissioner Rufino Javier who inhibited himself, the Commission lifted and set aside an order suspending the proclamation of the comebacking mayor and directed the Board of Canvassers to complete its task and immediately proceed with the proclamation.

Eusebio garnered 119,693 votes while his closest rival, former Pasig Rep. Henry Lanot received 108,941 votes or a difference of 10,752 votes.

Immediately after the proclamation, Eusebio revealed his incoming administration’s plans and programs such as housing projects for the homeless Pasigueños, reinvigorating the yellow card program which gives free hospitalization to indigent constituents and implementing the Study-Now-Pay-Later program by the city to ensure the future of young leaders of the city.

"Election is just for a day. It is now time to move on for the betterment of our beloved city," Eusebio said.

He was proclaimed at around 8:10 a.m. at the Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Pasig by lawyer Romeo Alcazar, city election officer.

Also witnessing the proclamation were City Prosecutor Jacinto Ang and Dra. Abella Macarandan of the Department of Education.

According to Eusebio, his proclamation was a victory not only for himself, but for all Pasigueños who voted for him despite the different propaganda used by his opponents to dishearten his followers.