Fuentes: Focus and Honesty Are All

By Ambrosio R. Villorente

Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino

Hon. Franklin Quimpo

Hon. Stevens Fuentes

Hon. Plaridel Morania

Hon. Santiago Regalado,

Hon. Eriberto Venus

In the penultimate session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan for the term (2004 – 2007), four (4) outgoing members delivered their valedictory messages. Hon. Santigao Regalado and Hon. Franklin L. Quimpo failed in their election bid. Hon. Eriberto Venus and Hon. Stevens N. Fuentes also failed in their campaign to become mayors of New Washington and Banga respectively.
Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino was the last to give his valedictory message as his term as vice governor and SP presiding officer will also end on June 30. He was unlucky in his bid for re-election on May 14 election.
In his short message, Hon. Fuentes, as SP member declared: "to be an effective legislator is to put together your heart and mind to the job – focus and honesty are all".
Hon. Franklin L. Quimpo is an ex-officio SP member for five (5) years. He represents the Philippine Councilors League. He likened himself to a student who have learned much during his stint with the SP and therefore he deserves diploma for completion of a doctoral degree, if not a master’s diploma. Quimpo thanked all his colleagues and SP staff members for making his job in the SP more enjoyable and fruitful.
Vice Gov. Tolentino discussed what power is. "Power should be exercised for the greater glory of God," he stressed. He wished that the SP during his watch is "best remembered for its humility, for its avoidance of vanity".
Tolentino was a member of SP Aklan for three terms (1996-2004) and presiding officer for three (2004-2007) years being vice governor. /MP