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| (Photo credit: Team Acosta) |
Mr. President, colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen in the gallery, good morning. I rise on personal privilege on the matter of two things: one is regarding my notes on the recent electoral exercise, and the other is on the coming Brigada Eskwela.
The recent campaign was an extra challenge for me and my team. There was a concerted attempt to discredit me, with the aim to make me fall out of the race. Malicious lies were scattered. Rumors had it that I got money from another party when I went to Manila. Truth is, I represented the Mayor in a conference on Tax Reform in Makati where I spoke in his behalf. I did not, and will not, receive any money from my candidate’s opponents, and my help in the Duterte for President campaign was free and voluntary as well. Rumors were spawned that I talked to a certain media personality and a certain senator which led to secret accounts and an expose on ghost employees. All ridiculous lies. Tarpaulins with the Hugpong lineup appeared but my name would be conspicuously missing. Our collaterals got systematically destroyed or disappear altogether. Barangay personalities were either confused or pressured in the sequence of events. The truth is I am an original member of Hugpong Sa Tawong Lungsod right from the start when the party head Mayor Rodrigo Duterte established this aggrupation when he made a comeback in the local scene after his stint in Congress, and remains such to this day.
Nevertheless, I am so thankful that Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, now the president-elect of the republic, and Mayor-elect Sara Duterte threw their full support behind me. Family and friends, and team Acosta exerted extra effort in the campaign as well. I am also thankful that this experience gave me life lessons and learned so many things in the process. I know now who my true friends are, who would stick by me no matter what. I know now who are just playing along a political game. I have seen who are the true leaders who look after public welfare, and those who put their own interests first.
Indeed the natural laws prevail in any situation. You reap what you sow. If you plant good deeds, you will certainly harvest good karma. For the people of the first district of Davao City have spoken. They have given me their vote of confidence and gave me an overwhelming fresh mandate to continue to serve. Daghan kaayong salamat sa mga taga first district na wala nagpadala sa mga bakak og mga intriga, og nagpadayun sa ilang lig-on nga pagsalig og suporta kanako. In the end, all is well that ends well. The valuable lessons learned in this exercise I will surely keep. The people who shared their grit through tough times, as well as their shining moments with me, I will always treasure.
Meantime, in a few days, it’s back to school once again!
All around the country, students, parents and teachers are gearing up for another year of learning. As part of the preparation for the new school year, the Department of Education – Division of Davao City will be conducting the annual “Brigada Eskwela”, the National Schools Maintenance Week Program. This year’s Brigada Eskwela with the theme "Tayo Para sa Paaralang Ligtas, Maayos at Handa - Mula Kindergarten Hanggang Seinor High School" will run from May 30 – June 4.
The program is intended not only to prepare the schools for the school opening, but to foster a sense of community among education stakeholders. Parents, students, teachers and other members of the community are encouraged to share their time and resources to ensure that our local public schools are ready to receive the eager young minds of our youth. Donations of money, materials or even time and effort are greatly welcome to help augment the cost of repairs and manpower. Construction materials such as plywood, paints and sealants given to the schools of your choice will go a long way for its maintenance.
We encourage everyone to share what they can in this year’s Brigada Eskwela and help create a conducive learning environment for our public school children. A clean and orderly environment allows our students a fresh start to their new school year.
Members of the City Council and all those present here are invited to join this year’s Brigada Eskwela week in any public school. For those interested, you may contact the respective public school principals, or through Ms. Eden S. Colina of the Office of Councilor Acosta at 0942-548-9494.
With the support of the entire community, we can continue to provide the high quality of education that our future leaders deserve.
Thank you, good day
and God bless us all.
Councilor, 1st
District
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