by Kezia Grace Jungco with reports from Aletheia G. Canubas

Mayor Caesar Perez honored the beginnings of his political career as he took oath at  Brgy. Batong Malake covered court, resuming his post as the mayor of Los Baños, Laguna.

Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas swore in the newly elected set of municipal council on June 29, 2013 at 3 pm. In his speech, Presidential Adviser Llamas encouraged the new set of officials to take part in the country’s historical new beginnings. “Sa dulo, walang magagawa ang pambansa kung babara ang LGU,” he said. (In the end, the national government cannot do anything if the LGU will hinder them.)

In his speech, Vice Mayor Procopio Alipon stated that “sa oras na ito, hinuhubad ko ang damit ng partido at sinusuot ko ang damit ng paglilingkod sa bayan ng Los Baños.”

Mayor Perez mentioned his plans to be stricter in tax payments in Los Baños. He also said that he will focus on sports development, traffic management, and the cleaning of Laguna de Bay. Mayor Perez also urged the residents of Los Baños to forget about politics since it creates division among them. “Kailangan mawala sa isip ng tao ang pulitika,. Kasi kung hindi ito mawawala, hindi mawawala ang bangayan,” he said.

Mayor Perez’s supporters and critics gave their expectations for his upcoming three-year term. “Yung babalik ang dati. Ang primary concerns niya ay ‘yung cleanliness, peace and order, at saka livelihood, “ said Brgy. Batong Malake Councilor Janos Lapiz. Councilor Lapiz also said that Mayor Perez is dedicated in his programs that he has already prepared for peace and order concerns even before taking his office.

Brgy. Baybayin Councilor Angeline Silva and Tinig ng Kababaihan President said that she is confident with the newly elected officials since most of them are her bets and has already proven their service from the past term. “Sana masuportahan lang ‘yung financial needs ang aming livelihood program. Pero confident naman ako sa kanila,” said Silva.

Re-elected Councilor Norvin Tamisin, who gained the highest number of votes among the councilors, said that he will be giving his support for good programs but will fight if the mayor is doing the wrong thing.“Pag tama, sasamahan ko. ‘Pag mali itatama ko, “ said Tamisin.

Despite the rains, representatives from various sectors of the Los Baños community attended the oath taking of the new set of officials. Present during the ceremonies were the municipal employees, representatives of the Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc.(LBSCFI) , UP Los Baños with the  Chancellor Rex Victor O. Cruz, Commission on Elections (Comelec), Sangguniang Barangay, Sangguniang Kabataan, Department of Education’s (DepEd), and Los Baños public and private schools with their principals, and other organizations such as the Samahan ng mga Magkakapitbahay and Tinig ng Kababaihan.

July 1 marks the first day of office of the new set of Los Baños officials.