New hope for Muntinlupeños as Fresnedi takes office

(UPDATE 3) MUNTINLUPA CITY - Mayor-elect Atty. Jaime R. Fresnedi assumed office July 1, 2013, with the pledge to bring the City back onto the path known as “daang matuwid” or the straight road of good governance.

No less than Interior and Local Government secretary Mar Roxas led the oath-taking rites at the Muntinlupa City Hall in Barangay Putatan.

“We will take on the straight and narrow road of good, principled governance because the people deserve nothing but the best brand of public service,” Fresnedi said. “It is our pledge to give our people excellent services that are transparent beyond reproach.”

The challenges of the new administration are far from easy, though, as Fresnedi inherits an outstanding billion-peso loan incurred by the City due to apparent mismanagement by the past regime as well as unreliable services and limited development.

“We recognize that the situation is challenging, but it is not hopeless,” Fresnedi said. “We need to restore public trust and investor confidence in the local government, as well as bring back the culture of trust in Muntinlupeños, a culture that says together, ‘yes, we can!’”

Multi-awarded singer and songwriter Ogie Alcasid graced the ceremonies by performing several songs meant to inspire the new mayor and the people of Muntinlupa.

From 1998 to 2007 under Fresnedi’s leadership, Muntinlupa was recognized as a three-time Most Business-Friendly City in the country by the business sector.

With education as the backbone of an Eight-Point Program of Governance, the City reached unprecedented heights and empowered citizens, most of whom benefited from the education-centered programs and have gone on to positions of influence in Philippine society.