For congressman-elect Brian Poe Llamanzares of FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list, holding his oath-taking at San Carlos City, Pangasinan was a no-brainer. In fact, the decision was made with his heart.
That's because the city is the hometown of Llamanzares' beloved grandfather, the late National Artist Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), known as "Da King", or The King of Philippine Cinema.
The incoming House member took his oath at Barangay Palaming, San Carlos City on Thursday, June 5.
In his speech, the 33-year-old expressed his profound gratitude to the people there and his commitment to serve them along with the rest of Filipinos.
“Kaya noong tinanong ako kung saan ako mag o-oathtaking, hindi ako nagdalawang isip, sabi ko dito dapat sa Barangay Palaming. At bakit dito? Dahil tumakbo naman ako para sa inyo. Ang trabaho ko bilang isang congressman ay hindi magtrabaho para sa sarili ko kundi magtrabaho para sa taumbayan," Llamanzares said.
(So when I was asked where I would take my oath, I didn’t hesitate, I said it had to be here in Barangay Palaming. And why here? Because I ran for office for you. My job as a congressman is not to serve myself but to work for the people.)
"Tama po ba? Eh di dapat kayo po ang kasama ko sa oath-taking ko. At syempre bilang pasasalamat din sa inyo dahil alam ko na napakasipag mangampanya ang mga kapitbahay ko,” added the son of Senator Grace Poe.
(Is that right? Then you should be with me at my oath-taking. And of course, as a gesture of gratitude to you because I know how tirelessly my neighbors campaigned.)
Palaming Barangay Chairman Kevin George Calugay was left impressed and hopeful by the incoming solon.
“Sa pagkakatalaga kay Congressman Brian Poe ng FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list, muling nabubuhay ang diwa ng bayanihan sa loob ng Kongreso—isang lider na sumusunod sa yapak ng serbisyong may puso at handang itaguyod ang kapakanan ng Pilipino na saksi ang kanyang bagong kabarangay niya dito sa Palaming,” he said.
(With the appointment of Congressman Brian Poe from the FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list, the spirit of bayanihan is once again alive in Congress—a leader who follows the footsteps of service with heart and is ready to champion the welfare of Filipinos, witnessed by his new community here in Palaming.)
In a statement over the weekend, FPJ Party-list said Llamanzares "carries the spirit of [Fernando Poe Jr.] with him, aiming to be a devoted advocate for the needs and dreams of his constituents".
"His oath signifies not only a personal commitment to public service but also a collective aspiration to cultivate positive change and foster unity within the community," it added.
The party-list's platform is centered on food, progress, and delivery of justice--an obvious nod to the late FPJ--as a way to uplift the lives of marginalized Filipinos.