With utmost gratitude, I humbly accept the tremendous responsibility that has been entrusted upon me by the Cebuanos. Daghang Salamat and I will never take this vote of confidence for granted. As your Vice Mayor-elect, I will work with even greater intensity and fervor so that I may continue to deliver tangible results that uplift our lives and better our communities.

 

#ResultaAngGarantiya.

 

My journey in public service started when I was just a young law school graduate who had recently passed the bar exams. Having seen the lack of legal representation for the poor and marginalized, I offered my services to them pro bono. For years, I found great satisfaction in doing so and subsequently, I was fortunate enough to be elected as Barangay Kamputhaw Councilor for one term and as Cebu City Councilor for two terms. In all those years, I strived to serve with compassion, integrity and fairness, values that my parents instilled upon me as child. As such, I would like to thank them, former mayor Alvin and Ninette Garcia for being the impetus and inspiration that got me into public service in the first place.

 

I wish to congratulate our Mayor-elect Mike Rama, the people’s mayor. It has been one of my life’s greatest honors to be your running mate and I am excited to be working side by side with you as your Vice Mayor. With you at the helm, I am certain that the best for our city is yet to come.

 

I also look forward to working with my colleagues in the city council and with my fellow candidates on the campaign trail. We all ran for office because of a common desire to serve our fellow Cebuanos. Now that the elections are over, let us set our differences aside and work together in whatever capacity that we have been given so that we can give the Cebuanos the gift of a better Cebu.

 

To my most worthy opponents, Mr. Bimbo Fernandez and Mr. Franklyn Ong, thank you for running high level campaigns that kept the discourse respectable. We gave the Cebuanos three excellent choices and now we can join forces in building a better city for them. After all, we are no longer opponents as we belong to the same team – Team Cebu!

 

How I wish that Mayor Labella were still here with us today so that he could see for himself how his legacy of accomplishments has played a key role in the successes of our collective campaigns. Needless to say, I am still comforted by the fact that his brand of public service will continue to live on through his son, Councilor-elect Jaypee Labella.

 

To my mentors, Sec. Mike Dino and to Gov. Gwen: Your successful efforts to unite Cebu have been laudable and inspirational. I am honored to be a part of it. Thank you for being great role models for many of Cebu’s leaders.

 

They say, it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it also takes a village to mount a successful campaign. To my friends and supporters, thank you for being part of that village. Thank you for your hard work – the sleepless nights, the early morning handshaking and everything in between. I am blessed beyond words to have your support and dedication.

 

Two special people who have given up so much because they believe in me are my wife, Kate, and daughter, Lexie. It has been a grueling campaign but I couldn’t have asked for better campaign partners. Thank you for never once complaining. Our sacrifices have paid off.

 

Finally, on a personal note, I would like to dedicate this victory to my late cousin, Atty. Jed Neri. He would have been the first one to show up on election night at the Board of Canvassers at the social hall in order to defend every single vote that came my way. His influence on my political career has transcended time and I will always hold close to my heart every advice and every word of encouragement that he gave me when he was still alive. He will never be forgotten.

 

Thank you everyone for being a part of such an amazing journey! I am and will always remain your humble servant.