DAVAO de Oro Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga, the first female governor of the province, officially took her oath on Thursday, June 30.
Montejo-Gonzaga took her oath in front of Cresencia DC-Cruz, executive judge of the Regional Trial Court 3, at the Nabunturan National Comprehensive High School.
On June 13, she along with her husband Second Congressional District Representative Ruwel Peter Gonzaga and some mayors of Davao de Oro took oath in front of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacañang Palace.
In her inaugural speech, Montejo-Gonzaga asked for prayers from her constituents that they, the new set of leaders may fulfill the responsibilities bestowed upon them in their oath.
"Mangayo gyud ko kaninyo og pag-ampo nga unta matuman namo ang among gipanumpaan (I am asking for your prayers that I may fulfill what I promised)," the governor said.
Vice Governor Tyron Uy also took his oath on the same day, also officiated by Cruz.
On June 27, Uy took oath in front of the indigenous peoples (IP) leaders in Sitio Bongloy, Barangay Pagsabangan, New Bataan. During this time, Vice Governor Uy was also named Datu Simbol’lan.
Despite being political rivals in the 2022 elections, Uy assured his constituents that he will support the administration of Montejo-Gonzaga, especially on programs and projects for the development of the province.
"Looking forward to working with the officials and staff of the Legislative Department just as I am excited to work with the Executive Department led by Governor Dorothy Gonzaga.," he said.
Uy's father, Senior Board Member and also former Governor of the province Arturo "Chongkee" Uy ran against Montejo-Gonzaga, but lost.
Right after the oath-taking, Uy turned over the Solidarity Ring, "symbol of Davao de Oro's unity and development" to the new governor.
"The ceremony is an act required by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as a manifestation of showing transparency, accountability, and good faith," the Davao de Oro Provincial Information Office wrote in a Facebook post.
Montejo-Gonzaga is the second governor of Davao de Oro, since the province was renamed in 2019. RGL