LAWYER Benjamin "Bennet" Pongos Jr. was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the new city prosecutor of Ormoc.

Pongos, a city councilor, will fill the post that was rendered vacant since the passing of former city prosecutor Marcelo Oñate last year.

"Last year, our good city prosecutor Marcelo Oñate passed away and there was a vacancy and mi-apply ko sa vacancy because this is my last term. Fortunately, I was endorsed by secretary Guevarra of the Department of Justice and I was appointed by President Duterte,” Pongos said.

Pongos formally bade farewell to Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez and Vice Mayor Toto Locsin Jr. and his fellow council members during a flag-raising ceremony at the Ormoc City Hall on Monday, February 28.

He also thanked fellow members of the Ormoc Development Team and the rest of city hall staff for supporting him during his tenure as city councilor.

“I am very happy nga nagkauban ta sa serbisyo (that we worked together in service). It is a pleasure and unforgettable moment in my life, this has always been my dream to serve the city as a councilor. Goodbye na ni siya as your councilor, I will be signing off and I am very privileged and honored to serve under a very good mayor Richard Gomez and Vice Mayor Toto Locsin Jr. I will not be surprised if they will be seen by history as one of Ormoc City’s finest mayor and vice mayor,” Pongos said.

Lawyer Pongos is set to swear in as the new Ormoc City prosecutor next week. (JKDP, TPT)