Metro mayors sworn into office

MANILA, Philippines - Several mayors in Metro Manila were sworn into office yesterday.

In Caloocan, Mayor-elect Oscar Malapitan was sworn into office by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada at the Caloocan High School at past 9 a.m. He was supposed to take his oath at the Bonifacio Monument.

Malapitan vowed to make education the cornerstone of his administration. He added that he is consulting with the city engineer to begin the blueprint for the construction of the University of Caloocan.

He also said he would like to implement a private-public hospital partnership, which would be included in his three-year health development agenda.

Malapitan also laid out his desire to have an annual investment plan that would put the city at par with its neighbors in terms of income. Caloocan is seventth among the cities in the country in terms of income with P3.7 billion, but is also in eighth place in terms of expenditure. The city is also one of the largest in population and land area.

Among the local officials who took their oath of office were Vice Mayor Macario Asistio III, District 2 Rep. Edgar Erice and six councilors.

Conspicuously absent was District 1 Rep. and former mayor Enrico Echiverri. Malapitan bested Echiverri’s son, Ricojudge, in the May 13 polls. Echiverri had been mayor for the past nine years.

In Pasay, re-elected Mayor Antonino Calixto took his oath on Friday before Pasay Regional Trial Court Judge Edwin Ramizo at the Shrine of St. Therese. His sister, re-elected Rep. Emi Calixto-Rubiano, together with nine councilors, also took their oath of office.

Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano and the rest of the city’s officials were sworn into office by outgoing Sen. Manny Villar at the NBC tent  in Bonifacio Global City at noon yesterday.

In Las Pinas, Mayor Vergel Aguilar took his oath before Las Pinas Judge Elizabeth Yu Guray at his office last June 24.

The newly elected mayors of Parañaque and Muntinlupa will officially assume their post during today’s flag-raising ceremony.

Outgoing Mayor Florencio Bernabe said he has already turned over the reins of the Parañaque City government to incoming Mayor Edwin Olivarez while in Muntinlupa, Jaime Fresnedi is set to assume his post today.