Outgoing Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte is thankful to his constituents for once again electing him as provincial governor after over a decade away from the Capitol.
Villafuerte, president of the National Unity Party (NUP) said he was aware that not everybody is given another chance in this regard.
“The mid-term polls are over—and so should the partisanship naturally attending electoral contests. Now is a time for unity and collaborative effort for all sectors to work on sustaining and even boosting Camarines Surs growth and development," he said.
"My family and I thank our voters for their continued trust and confidence in giving us another electoral mandate to serve them for another three years,” added Villafuerte, a former House deputy speaker.
Speaking from the heart, he said: “I am humbled by this rare opportunity to be given by my provincemates another chance to serve them as governor of Camarines Sur. Not everyone is blessed to have another shot."
"I commit to pay forward our voters for their continuing trust and confidence by working even harder on pursuing sustainable and inclusive growth for our province," Villafuerte further said.
Villafuerte served three straight terms as governor, as executive post, from 2004 to 2013. Most of his time since then has been spent at the legislature, particularly in the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City.
The political scene is replete with examples of politicians who fail to win again in the elections after serving three terms as local chief executive.
“It is my hope, and those of the other Villafuertes plus our allies who have similarly been blessed with fresh electoral mandates, that with the elections over, our erstwhile political rivals can—and do—transcend personal and partisan interests and join us in keeping on track Camarines Sur ’s agenda for robust, inclusive and sustainable growth and development in the second half of the Marcos presidency and onwards,” said the NUP president.