BOCAUE, Bulacan–Returning former Mayor Eduardo ‘JJV” Villanueva Jr. sees rough times ahead in his leadership as the country and the world still reels from the COVID-19 pandemic, but with each and every folk’s unity, support and God’s graces, Bocaue can overcome the challenges and emerge triumphant.
The newly elected mayor said his return to politics from a private life with his family will not be an easy job, but because of his love for Bocaue, he accepts the challenge of serving its people again to fulfil what he and his sister, late Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna have left unfinished.
His mayorship today is also one of the biggest trials in his life because he, his wife and children have to sacrifice their time for the town and the people, he said.
“Bumalik po ako upang ipagpatuloy ang naiwan naming magkapatid. Hindi po madali ang pamumuno ko sa pagbabalik ko ngayon dahil po sa pagbangon natin sa pandemya at gayundin po, hindi madali dahil sakripisyo po ito sa aking pamilya,” (I return to fulfill what I and Joni have left. It will not be easy to do my job because we still need to recover from the pandemic and that me and my family have to sacrifice ourselves and our time for each other), he said during his speech on his recent inauguration held at the Bocaue municipal covered court.
But, he said because of God’s help, they can overcome the trials. He said he will offer to God all the services he will make for the people of Bocaue.
He thanked his brother-in-law, Vice Mayor Sherwin Tugna for trusting him as his vice mayoralty candidate and assured folks that their tandem will signify the beginning of the victory of Bocaue. “Ito po ang simula ng tagumpay ng lahing Bocaueño upang muling masabi na ang sarap maging Bocaueño,” he said.
The mayor said he has in his hands his plans and projects to help the people of Bocaue. He said what gives him strength and inspiration to do them is the Bocaueño’s desire to recover and enliven their lives from the shackles of the pandemic.
He said he is all ready to work, do his job and beat all the challenges and trials for the people of Bocaue. He vowed that this will be the start of abundance of successes of the Bocaueño race.
Villanueva defeated incumbent Mayor Jose “JJS” Santiago through 35,488–31,550 votes. Santiago, former vice mayor of the town assumed the mayoral post when Mayor Joni died May 28, 2020 after she suffered from an ailment while at the height of addressing the food packs and ayuda for her constituents.
He and Tugna took their oath on June 30 before Bulacan regional trial court Executive Judge Olivia Samar.
