CALAMBA CITY, Laguna: Winning local officials here were formally sworn in on Sunday, June 19, at the historic Jose Rizal Shrine in Barangay Poblacion in conjunction with the celebration of the 161st birth anniversary of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

Calamba City Mayor-elect Roseller “Ross” Rizal, a descendant of the National Hero, began the day by joining the city’s Vice Mayor-elect Angelito Lazaro and city councilors, Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez, Vice Gov. Karen Agapay and Congresswoman-elect Charisse Alcantara, in wreath-laying activity at the Rizal Monument at the shrine.

Roseller took his oath of office before Barangay Batino chairman Pio Dimapilis.

Alcantara, Lazaro, Board Member-elect Peewee Perez (second district) and the 12 city councilors were sworn in by Judge Gregorio Velasquez of Regional Trial Court Branch 35.

Lazaro is a son of former Laguna governor Ning Ning Lazaro.

“I will not take this position lightly, I will take it seriously for all of you,” Roseller said.

”I am grateful to all sectors in the city, the elections are over, and it is about time we unite,” he added.

“To all fellow public servants, I need your support for the programs that I will be pushing for the people of Calamba,” the mayor-elect said.