By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan
Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin clarified Tuesday, May 20, that her office will continue pursuing development projects in San Joaquin, despite her relative and ally losing the mayoral race.
Board Member Marcelo Valentine Serag, an ally of Rep. Garin and nephew of outgoing Mayor Ninfa Garin, lost to former town councilor and lawyer Joe Abad Lazaro.
Commission on Elections results showed Lazaro winning 15,126 votes or 53.33 percent, while Serag received 13,236 votes.
Serag currently serves as a provincial board member and was previously San Joaquin vice mayor.
Garin said her office remains open to working with anyone, including public and private stakeholders.
“Our office has always helped all towns,” she told Aksyon Radyo Iloilo.
“After the election, we welcome anyone who approaches us, including those from the private sector.”
She said she will continue pushing for the implementation of outgoing Mayor Ninfa Garin’s long-term plans, unless the new administration sets different priorities.
“Mayor Ninfa Garin still has many plans for San Joaquin, especially the oval repairs and barangay road completion,” she said.
“That will remain in the pipeline unless the new local government chooses another direction.”
She assured that national projects for the town will continue and that her office is open to coordination with Lazaro.
“My office is a public office,” she said.
“In fact, we have extension offices in parts of the 1st District, and if Mayor-elect Lazaro agrees, we can maintain one in San Joaquin.”
Lazaro, in a separate interview with the same station, said he welcomes support from the congresswoman.
“From the start, I never went against Rep. Loreto-Garin,” he said.
“I did not campaign for candidates opposing her, and I did not campaign against her.”
“For me, anything done for the good of San Joaquin and our people is appreciated.”
Garin also said she would continue asserting public ownership over the property where the old San Joaquin municipal hospital is located.
The hospital building was blocked in June 2024 by personnel linked to outgoing Vice Mayor Marvigrace Getuya-Lazo’s family.
They cited the revocation of the land’s deed of donation and the transfer of the title to Lazo’s mother, Vilma Getuya.
