Togonon aiming for change in Pasay City

Just like a famous star being swarmed by fans, a new face in the political arena of Pasay City came forward in the person of former Manila chief prosecutor Edward Togonon with his supporters packing the venue to the rafters.

They clapped with their hands raised in the air and nodded their heads in agreement to his promise of change during a political assembly which coincided with the celebration of Pasay City Day. The gathering became even more exciting with the presence of the singing duo Miko and Gab and YouTube star Aiana Juarez who sang the campaign jingle of Togonon.  

Togonon is running for the first time as a city mayor after he retired from the Department of Justice. He is up against the more familiar names in Pasay. But like Eddie Garcia’s character in Hukom Bitay, Togonon is unruffled. His goal to better serve the people of Pasay fuels his desire to win the mayoralty seat.

“I am not supposed to retire yet as chief prosecutor of Manila,” began Togonon during a short chat with The STAR. “Truth is, many offers came to me for a higher post in the judiciary like I could be in the Comelec, Court of Appeals or in the Justice department but my strong desire to help alleviate the living condition of the people in Pasay has led me to take this step.”

Togonon was prosecutor for 32 years, including 14 years of service as Pasay City fiscal, 13 years as chief prosecutor of Muntinlupa City and six years as Manila chief prosecutor. He also became the president of Pasay City prosecutors’ league and was twice elected president of the National Prosecutors League of the Philippines. He was also president of the Chief Prosecutors Association. Togonon was also instrumental in the passing into law the National Prosecution Service Law or RA 10071. He was a reporter of the Philippine News Agency while taking up law.

Pasay residents, he added, are short of receiving help from the city government. “Ang una kong napansin ay kulang na kulang ang serbisyong (para sa tao) galing sa lungsod that’s why, there’s a demand for change.” He is proud to say that even before he decided to seek a public post, he already had worked in many civic projects in Pasay.

Recently, Togonon also went out of his way to do charity work by spearheading a medical mission and feeding program for residents of Pasay.

The newbie candidate revealed that spending time with his lawyer wife — even just for a few minutes — is his greatest form of relaxation. “Going around the City of Pasay is our kind of relaxation now,” said Togonon, whose two children are both professionals.

It was in October when Togonon filed his certificate of candidacy with running mate lawyer Jose Allan Tebelin for vice mayor, former Pasay City prosecutor Elmer Mitra for congressman, and some candidates for councilor. They are running under the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas Bayan (PDP-Laban), the political party of President Rodrigo Duterte.