Council bids farewell in final session

Unlike the often tense and spirited debates that marked their term, members of the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod shared a moment of warmth and gratitude in their final regular session on Wednesday, reflecting on their legislative journeys and bidding each other farewell.

- Iris Hazel Mascardo/ATO

During the session, the council formally honored outgoing Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, and outgoing councilors who completed their third terms—Councilors Joy Young, mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr., and Jerry Guardo as well as outgoing councilors Rey Gealon, Noel Wenceslao, James Anthony Cuenco, Mary Ann de los Santos, and Jocelyn Pesquera.

Some councilors took the opportunity to deliver privilege speeches, with Majority Floor Leader Jocelyn Pesquera opening the reflections by highlighting her accomplishments, including authoring 116 ordinances and 2,400 resolutions.

Pesquera looked back on her legislative stint, admitting that some of it had been misunderstood. “I have not only as public servant but also as a person,” an excerpt of her speech reads.

“I stand before you with my integrity intact,” she added.