Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi. (Photo courtesy of Cotabato CIO)
COTABATO CITY -- Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi started Monday her first term as the first lady elected mayor of this city of Muslim, Christians, and indigenous people settlers.
“Now that the election is over, let us join hands for the interest and welfare of everybody,” Sayadi said, as she urged everyone to help make the city safer and prosperous.
“Let’s get back to work and perform our responsibilities to our people,” Guiani-Sayadi urged fellow elected officials even as she also offered reconciliation to election rivals.
Guiani-Sayadi was elected vice mayor in 2016 but assumed as city mayor after her brother, Japal Guiani Jr., elected as city mayor, died of lingering illness.
She vowed for improved peace and order, assuring every Cotabateño that they can sleep soundly at night while law enforcers are keeping the city free from lawless elements.
She also promised to sustain the economic development of the city with more investors coming in and the completion of her dream of having the most modern airport and seaport in the country.
Speaking after taking oath as mayor on Monday at the city hall, Guiani-Sayadi said “the road that led here me was not easy, at one time I felt it was me against the world, especially on (social media),” in an apparent reference to her online detractors.
“Let us not be intimidated, I have trust in my fellow Cotabateños as they knew who should sit as their leaders,” she recalled as telling her running mates and fellow party candidates during the campaign period.
“Now, I can say with my head up that Team Guiani never bought votes, we never hauled voters and we never threatened anyone,” she said.
“This victory is not for me but for the people of Cotabato City, my brother Japal Jr., and my father (former Commission on Election Commissioner) Japal Guiani Sr. as they are with me in spirit,” she added. (PNA)
