Ninety-five member city mayors signed a petition endorsing Rama and 55 others to comprise the new elective board members and appointive officers of the 146-strong national organization during the 69th General Assembly of LMP in Quezon City Thursday, July 21.
With no objection from the rest of the 110 city mayors who attended the gathering, Rama’s election was confirmed.
Quezon City Mayor Maria Josefina Tanya “Joy” Go Belmonte Alimurung was elected executive vice president while Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Bantug Benitez was named chairman of the board.
Rama and the newly elected LMP officers took their oath before Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos Jr.
Before his election as LMP president, Rama served as national president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) from 1998 to 2001 and the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VLMP) from 2008 to 2010.
In his acceptance speech, Rama urged all LMP members to rally behind President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Let us unite to support the national agenda of BBM and Sara,” Rama said.
Some of Rama’s family members and Cebu City officials were present during the event.
“It makes us proud to be Cebuanos. It gives us so much honor,” Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia said.