Not dynasty but devotion, says Pineda as she takes oath as Pampanga gov

The Pineda tandem has won the top electoral positions in Pampanga province. Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and her son Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda. | PHOTO COURTESY of Daniella Ombina / Pampanga PIO

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Lilia Pineda took her oath of office as governor of Pampanga on Thursday, rejecting the label dynasty and preferring to be called part of a “family with devotion to service.”

Pineda’s only son Dennis won as vice governor. Her daughter Esmeralda was reelected as mayor of Lubao. Esmeralda’s son Jayson Victorino was elected as first-time councilor in Lubao. Another daughter, Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, lost in her bid as mayor in the capital city of San Fernando but sought a manual recount of votes.

In her speech after Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Mario Victor “Marvic” Leonen administered to her the oath of office, Pineda said in Filipino: “There are those who speak of dynasty. We choose to speak about devotion).”

She went on: “We are not here to rule but to serve. We give love, compassion, beauty and courage).”

READ: Lilia Pineda leads Pampanga gubernatorial race

Pineda, 74, also pointed out: “We do not inherit positions. We inherit responsibilities. We’d like to be judged by how we uplifted lives, by our legacy to the next generations of Kapampangan.”

Later in an interview, she said she is “not affected” by the term dynasty.

“The people love us. They like our service. The people keep electing us. We are not greedy. People are able to distinguish those who serve and those who do not work. she added.

Pineda vowed to expand the Alagang Nanay Preventive Health Care Program that her son began after the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from the early detection and treatment of diseases, the program also improved the staffing, processes, systems and equipment in 10 district hospitals that the provincial government runs.

Pineda, who is on her fourth term as governor, said her doctors gave her a fit-for-work certificate.

“I’d like to work 24/7 if I could because I’m already old and I’d like to give much of my time to governance, Pineda said.

Leonen also administered the oath to former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Second District), Rep. Anna York Bondoc (Fourth District) and provincial board members.

Arroyo administered the oath of office to Vice Governor Pineda.

The daughter and wife of outgoing Rep. Aurelio Gonzales-Rep. Micaela Gonzales (Third District) and her mother Provincial Board Member Mymy Mercado Gonzales-were not seen in the event./mr