Duly reelected Laguna Governor Teresita “Ningning” Lazaro took her oath of office yesterday, June 28, before Presiding Justice Menita Chico-Nasario at the Laguna Cultural Center , Provincial Capitol Compound in Sta. Cruz, Laguna right after the Thanksgiving Mass.  The Laguna Provincial Board of Canvassers has already proclaimed the local chief executive last Wednesday as the officially elected Provincial Governor during the recent May 14 polls.       

       Gov. Lazaro was accompanied by her husband Mr. Angelito Lazaro and son Mr. Dennis Lazaro during this oath taking ceremony that also include the oath taking of newly elected Vice-Gov. Ramil Hernandez, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Members namely Rey Paras (3rd District), Rolly Bagnes (2nd Dist.), Monching Carillo (1st Dist.), Bong Palacol (4th Dist.), Dennis Panganiban (4th Dist.), Karen Agapay (3rd Dist.), Emil Tiongco (1st Dist.), Dave Almarinez (1st Dist.), and Johnny Unico (2nd Dist.), Neil Nocon (2nd District).  Some municipal mayors, vice-mayors, and municipal councilors also took their oath of office before Gov. Lazaro.

      This simple ceremony was witnessed and graced by supporters of Gov. Lazaro that includes Kababaihang Lingkod-Bayan ng Laguna (KLBL) members,  Gabay ng Laguna and Sulong Laguna movement, Department of Education (DepEd) & Laguna family, and department heads, office chiefs and employees of the Laguna Provincial Government.

      Based on the canvass of votes, Gov. Lazaro garnered a margin of more than 37,000 votes against her rival, incumbent Vice-Gov. Edwin Olivarez.

      The proclamation of the winning gubernatorial candidate in Laguna was delayed by protests in Biñan town that is Olivarez’s bailiwick.  The Biñan case was resolved after COMELEC on Friday, June 22, denied a petition filed by the son-in-law of Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos to declare elections in Biñan a failure.  Olivarez only had a margin of 344 votes against Lazaro in the said municipality.

      In an interview, Gov. Lazaro said her chances were boosted by the Iglesia ni Cristo’s endorsement of her candidacy with the consistent support of the Kababaihang Lingkod-Bayan ng Laguna (KLBL), and also Gabay ng Laguna and Sulong Laguna movement.  Gov. Lazaro also got the nod of several sectors of the province while more than 700 barangay chairmen pledged their full support for her candidacy.

      The final and official results of the elections showed that she is still respected and trusted by her Laguna constituents. Lazaro thanked the Lagunenses for entrusting her with this last term as she vowed to fulfill her endeavors in placing Laguna to greater heights. This is through her flagship 7-Point Agenda that includes priority projects such as the major renovation and rehabilitation of the Laguna Provincial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Laguna and the J.P. Rizal Memorial District Hospital in Calamba City and the Laguna University that opened last year for the less privileged but talented and gifted students. #  (CHRIS SANJI)