A LAWYER who had served as Lapu-Lapu City legal officer took oath as the newest member of the Lapu-Lapu City Council.
Michael Dignos took oath before Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
Dignos replaced city councilor and former vice mayor Marcial Ycong, who died in February 2021. Dignos and Ycong are both members of Lakas-CMD, in which Radaza is the party chairman in Lapu-Lapu City.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Dignos’s appointment on July 9 and he was formally accepted as Ycong’s replacement on July 16.
Before his appointment, Dignos served as assistant legal counsel and chief of staff to Radaza’s husband, former Lapu-Lapu City Mayor and former congressman Arturo Radaza.
He also served as city legal officer to Radaza when she was mayor.
Dignos promised to serve his constituents despite the little time he has left as the 2022 national and local elections is just less than a year away.
“I am member of Lakas-CMD but when it comes to decisions that concern our constituents, I always stick to my conviction, and that is always to be a good Christian lawyer, “ Dignos said, in a mix of English and Cebuano.
But even with Dignos’s appointment, the City Council’s opposition bloc continues to remain as a majority.
Aside from Dignos, Councilors Ricardo Amores, Gregorio Paquibot Jr., Efren Herrera, Queenie Malingin-Amman, Alexander Gestopa Jr.
Rex Mangubat, Rudy Potot, Flaviano Hiyas, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation president Laika Tampus and Association of Barangay Council (ABC) president Eduardo Cuizon are allied with the opposition.
Only Vice Mayor Celedonio Sitoy and Councilors Jan Vincent dela Serna and Nelson Yap are allied with Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan.
Radaza said she is thankful that Dignos was appointed to replace Ycong as his qualifications suit him for the post.
Radaza said she is also waiting for the President’s decision to sign the appointment of another councilor who will replace City Councilor Joe Dungog, who died in May 2021.
Radaza said she has submitted three names to the President on who will potentially replace Dungog. (GCM / JKV)