Newly-elected Pasig City officials led by Mayor Vico Sotto, Vice Mayor Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr., and Rep. Roman Romulo, vowed to continue transforming Pasig into a progressive city as they were sworn in on Thursday morning, June 30.
The event was held at the Ynares Sports Center in Barangay Ugong, Pasig City.
Judge Danilo Cruz, the executive judge of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC), presided over the oath-taking.
In his inaugural address, Mayor Sotto thanked all of his constituents, supporters, family, and friends who helped him fight for and achieve what were deemed "impossible" tasks of implementing changes and reforms in the local government system of Pasig.
"Hindi tayo nagpatinag. Maaaring ako ang naging mukha ng pagbabago, ako ngayon ang namumuno bilang alkalde ninyo, pero ang totoo ay hindi ko po ito kinaya kung ako lang po mag-isa (We did not give up. I may have become the face of change, serving as your mayor, but the truth is I could not do this alone)," Sotto said.
Despite the practice of corruption and politics that plagued local governance in the past, Sotto stressed that everyone in the city "staked their lives, risked their jobs, and were prepared to meet grave consequences in order to introduce change in the government."
"Hindi po magiging madali ang laban para sa pagbabago. Pero basta't magkakasama tayo, tuloy-tuloy nating itaguyod 'yung mga prinsipyo ng mabuting pamamahala, pagiging bukas, transparent na pamahalaan. Paigtingin natin ang pakikilahok ng taumbayan. Gawin nating hindi normal at katanggap-tanggap ang korupsyon at katiwalian sa ating gobyerno. Kung ating gagawin ito, sigurado tayo na ang maipapasa, maipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon ng mga Pasigueño ay isang kinabukasan na mas maliwanag pa (The fight for true change will not be easy. As long as we are united, we will continue to uphold the principles of good governance, of an open and transparent government. Let's strengthen public political participation. Let us denormalize corruption and injustice in our government. If we do this, we will surely pass on a brighter future for our Pasigueños to inherit)," Sotto added.
Jaworski echoed Sotto's sentiments, saying "now comes the time to heal and unite for the betterment of the city."
"Today we celebrate the beginning of a new era of public service in the city of Pasig. The people have spoken with a resounding voice that we, in Pasig, indeed are ready for change, but even more so ready for life-changing reforms for a brighter future for all Pasigueños," Jaworski said.
He called the occasion a "special day" as 15 years have passed since he last served as Congressman of Pasig City.
The city councilors who took their oath were Kiko Rustia, Simon Tantoco, Pao Santiago, Volta Delos Santos, Eric Gonzales, and Reggie Balderrama for District 1.
For District 2, the elected councilors included Angelu De Leon, Corie Raymundo, Syvel Asilo, Buboy Agustin, Quin Cruz, and Maro Martires.
Sotto, Jaworski, and Romulo won via landslide in the May 9 elections. Sotto gained 335,851 votes, while Jaworski had 205,250 votes.
They were proclaimed by the City Board of Canvassers in the morning of May 10 at the Pasig City Hall.