NUEVA ECIJA New Officers: LMP, VMLP, and PCL Chapters Sworn In

Belmonte and Salonga to Lead LMP and VMLP Chapters

By: Celso M. Cajucom

CABANATUAN CITY — Nueva Ecija Local officials have officially started their terms as the new leaders of various leagues in the province. On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the new officers of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) took their oath at Barangay Soledad in Santa Rosa.

Vice Governor Raymond “Lemon” Umali administered the oath of office. As officer-in-charge, he represented his brother, Governor Aurelio Umali, who is currently serving a suspension from the Ombudsman.

Mayor Lovella Lally Belmonte of Zaragoza is the new LMP Chapter President. She won the position unopposed during the elections held at the old Provincial Capitol. Along with her, Vice Mayor Arvin Salonga of San Antonio was elected as the new president of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) Nueva Ecija chapter. Salonga replaces outgoing president Nerivi Santos-Martinez of Talavera.

Santos Emerges Victorious in Tight PCL Presidency Race

Meanwhile, a close race happened during the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) election held at the Palayan City Convention Center. Councilor Lance Jarwin Santos of General Natividad won as the new PCL President. He defeated Peter Marcus Matias of Santa Rosa by a small margin of five votes, finishing at 159-154.

Santos, who is 34 years old, an elder son of former mayor Levi Santos ran for the position without a complete ticket. Despite this, he secured the victory and will now serve as an ex-officio member of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Board.

The newly elected officers from the five cities and 27 municipalities are expected to serve until 2028. They all expressed their commitment to working together and supporting the development of their respective communities in Nueva Ecija.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LMP INSIGHT @ Google: The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) is a formal organization for all municipal mayors in the country, focusing on capacity building, advocacy, and localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It acts as a platform for addressing national issues, fostering collaboration, and promoting best practice

Key Details About the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP):

Distinction: The LMP is distinct from the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP). 

Objective: To empower municipal governments, enhance local service delivery, and support the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

Leadership: As of February 2024, the National President is Mayor Joseph Sto. Niño “JB” Bernos.

Key Activities: The organization holds annual General Assemblies, such as the 2024 assembly focusing on SDG localization and the 2025 assembly scheduled for February 10-13, 2025.

Structure: It includes a national directorate and executive officers elected to lead the organization.

Editor’s Note:

Breaking News Online PH extends its congratulations to the newly sworn-in leaders of Nueva Ecija. This marks the beginning of a three-year journey (2025–2028) toward genuine good governance. We look forward to seeing leaders who serve with a “precious heart”—those dedicated to their constituencies without boundaries and who show a brand of leadership rooted in true appreciation for their fellowmen.

A true leader serves unselfishly and understands that the oath of office is a commitment to the people, not to oneself. We hope to see them standing beside their constituents, especially during difficult times.

History and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) records have shown that some leaders are nowhere to be found during calamities, with some reportedly traveling abroad only to reappear during election season. We hope to move away from “Ningas Kugon” and “Pakitang Tao” politics. The era of “Pizza Pie” leaders—those ready to grab a “cut” from the budget and infra-projects for their ulterior motives—must end. Today, the people of Nueva Ecija deserve leaders who serve in real-time, not just for show.