Iloilo city: The new mayor and vice mayor of the municipality of Zarraga have officially assumed their roles after being sworn in by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. Sangguniang Bayan member Jeffrey Silveo has taken over from former Mayor Jofel Soldevilla, while Municipal Councilor Laurence John Sortigosa succeeds former Vice Mayor Michael Omar Lacson. The previous officeholders were dismissed by the Ombudsman due to grave misconduct.

According to Philippines News Agency, Silveo was accompanied by his sisters, Ma. Reme Silveo and Mary Antonette Silveo-Solas, while Sortigosa was joined by his wife Mariel Valerie, his mother Lynie Brazas-Sortigosa, and his uncle, former Zarraga Mayor Gregorio Brazas during the oath-taking ceremony at the provincial capitol. Silveo emphasized the importance of normalizing the local government’s operations, stating his commitment to ensuring that basic services, programs, and projects proceed without interruption. He plans to prioritize filling the vacant positions of critical office heads to maintain functional transactions within the government.

Additionally, municipal accountant Era Lerdon, budget officer Glezil Mae Loza±es, and municipal treasurer Leonora Pauya have been suspended for six months due to simple misconduct. Meanwhile, Sortigosa has called on the residents of Zarraga to extend their support and trust to the new mayor. He also announced the continuation of a free legal aid activity scheduled for November 8 at the municipal covered gymnasium. This initiative aims to assist indigent and vulnerable residents by offering free legal consultations, affidavit drafting, and notarization services, provided by private lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Iloilo chapter.