BATASANG PAMBANSA, QC - Members of the House of Representative stood up and applauded Alejandro Mirasol as he took his oath as congressman of the fifth district of Negros Occidental before House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte at 4:30 p.m. yesterday.

Mirasol, who is the newest and the last addition to the 15th Congress, took his oath, with his wife Mary Ann by his side, along with his sister-in law Dolly Llamas, and her husband Francisco, and Negros Representatives Alfredo Benitez, Mercedes Alvarez and Alfredo Marañon III.

Mirasol of the Liberal Party won with 81,982 votes, or a lead of 13,103 votes, over his nephew Board Member Emilio Yulo III of the Nacionalista Party, who garnered 68,879 votes in a special election held Saturday.

Mirasol has three days to work before Congress goes on recess tomorrow, and will resume on July 23.

The new congressman said he will support the Sugarcane Act of Rep. Benitez and other bills that will have an impact on the welfare of Negros Occidental.

Mirasol also said he will try his best to keep his promise to deliver projects to uplift the lives of the people of the fifth district.

Transportation and Communication Secretary Mar Roxas, Liberal Party president, has assured Mirasol of the administration's assistance.

Benitez said President Benigno Aquino III, who endorsed the candidacy of Mirasol, was very happy with his victory and was congratulating him on his win.

It is up to Mirasol to learn the ropes and navigate his way around Congress, he has to keep his promise to the people and we will help him as LP member, Benitez said.

The proposal of projects for the fifth district in 2013 will be under Mirasol's watch, he added.

Rep. Marañon said the addition of Mirasol to the Negros solons was a big help to the province. Public service is not new to him, Marañon said of Mirasol who has been mayor Binalbagan for 15 years, and board member of Negros Occidental for three years.

Golez said he congratulated Mirasol on his win and said he has to work, work, work to ensure that his district get projects with the budget for next year up for deliberation.

We will always be there to support and guide him so that his district can get more projects, Golez added.

Binalbagan Vice Mayor Emmanuel Aranda automatically becomes mayor of Binalbagan, while first councilor Samuel Gabaran will become vice mayor. Mirasol would not say who will be appointed as the eighth councilor of the town yet.

Mirasol will hold office at the old office of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo at the Batasan.*CPG

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