WE often see him flashing his boyish smile and taking selfieson almost every occasion he attends.
Beyond those boy-next-door looks however, is a hardworking man.
When it comes to work, VM Yul cites as his guiding inspiration the dedication, sweat and efforts being put by his partner, Mayor Honey Lacuna, to make sure that all the needs of Manilans are amply addressed, without having to flood the social media about it.
In fact, in his speech introducing Mayor Honey at the latter’s recent state of the nation addresss, VM Yul aptly stated: “Pribilehiyo po na maging katuwang ni Mayor Honey sa paglilingkd, binibigyan niya kami ng inspirasyon na maging mas mahusay pang mga lingkod-bayan na may integridad at prinsipyo na nanggagaling sa puso.
“Mayor Honey embodies a public servant for the Manilenos, by the Manilenos and of the Manilenos,” he added.
Well, just like Mayor Honey, the vice mayor is also a silent worker.
Under his leadership as concurrent Presiding Officer of the 38-member Manila City Council, an official website of the council was established and the body, he assures, is well on its way to total modernization and digitization.
This contains the more than 9,000 ordinances and resolutions that were passed from the Municipal board all the way to the 12th City Council, along with the profile of each Councilor, news and updates and link for live feeds of sessions held.
This way, VM Yul says the residents of Manila will be able to access and learn of the local laws being implemented in the city.
The Manila City Council is also working on the passage of the Manila City Code of General Ordinances 2024. This codification project, he says, was launched in response to the need for a more organized and swift implementation of over 6,000 ordinances in the city.
Currently, he said that the 12th Council managed to pass a total of 185 ordinances and 1,119 resolutions.
Regarding his ‘Lingkod Manileno Projects,’ VM Yul said that from when he started his term as the second highest official of Manila, he has carried out 31 medical missions and served 47, 566 beneficiaries of free medicines.
His yearly ‘Kasalang Bayan’ held every February meanwhile, has already benefitted 438 couples who have been living together without the benefit of marriage for lack of monetary capability to spend on a wedding.
The Vice Mayor also reported that his ‘Operation Tuli’ or free circumsision project had helped 5,056 youngsters from Manila while his ‘Kusina Manileno’ and Quick Response Team continues to provide immediate asisstance during times of emergency and calamities, of course through the help and support of Mayor Honey and the city’s social welfare department under Re Fugoso.
The infrastructure projects that he introduced during his term as Congressman are also being inaugurated recently, among them the state-of-the-art multi-purpose hall for Arellano High School and the Bagong Manila Police District- Sta. Cruz Station 3.
Apart from being silent about his notable accomplishments, what sets VM Yul apart from other politicians is his integrity.
Just recently, someone truly ‘in the know’ narrated how surprised he was to learn how Vice Mayor Yul Servo readily rejected a nine-digit cash offer just for him to leave his working partner, Mayor Honey Lacuna and support another mayor wannabe.
Although he was slighted and felt insulted, VM Yul, himself a former City Councilor and third district Congressman, politely rejected what he, according to my sources, saw as a clear disrespect.
During an occasion where we had a tete-a-tete, VM Yul described his and all of the councilors’ relationship with Mayor Honey as one with no borders.
“Hindi siya boss sa amin. Isa siyang ate,” were his exact words, adding that with Mayor Honey, they feel free to consult her on various aspects even when it comes to their personal lives and that she would always readiy lend an ear to them.
Now I understand why VM Yul would repeatedly introduce his partner, Mayor Honey Lacuna, as “ang aking inspirasyon sa paglilingkod.”
Clearly, he does not find inspiration from a politican who thinks that loyalty can be bought and who wants him (VM Yul) to turn his back on someone who had helped, trusted and treated him well not only as a co-worker in government but moreso, as a younger brother, partymate and good friend.
VM Servo also gives so much weight to the help, support and care that the late Vice Mayor Danny Lacuna and now, Mayor Honey had shown him. He continues to thank them and the ‘Asenso Manileno’ for where he is now.
He is such a good role model not only for his constituents but moreso, his children who will look up to him as someone who has integrity. Someone who has no price tag.
Kudos, Vice Mayor Yul Servo!
