Vice Mayor Councilors About SP
Hon. Monique Shaira Aiko Yu To - City Vice Mayor
City Vice Mayor

MONIQUE SHAIRA "AIKO" YU TO

Public Servant

She is a dedicated public servant, the Vice Mayor and the Presiding Officer of the 15th City Council of Pagadian, and the President of the Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines (VMLP), Zamboanga del Sur Chapter (2022-2025).

Service Philosophy

Vice Mayor To believes that public service is innate and believes that the principal way of serving the Lord Almighty is by serving His people.

Political Career

Aiko served as City Councilor (2022-2025) before being elected as City Vice Mayor (2025-2028). Her victory in the May 2025 elections marked her continuation of public service in city government.

Political Career

  • City Vice Mayor (2025-Present) - Elected under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)
  • City Councilor (2022-2025) - Served in the Sangguniang Panlungsod under UNA party
  • VMLP President, ZDS Chapter - Coordinated initiatives across the province

Education

  • Elementary: Pagadian City Pilot School
  • Secondary: Holy Child's Academy, Pagadian City
  • College: Saint Columban College - BS Business Administration, Major in Management

Family & Political Ties

Niece of former Governor Victor Yu. Part of the prominent Yu political family:

  • Victor Yu - Former Governor, ran for Mayor (2025)
  • Divina Grace Yu - Elected Governor of Zamboanga del Sur (2025)

Service Philosophy

Faith-Based Leadership
Holistic Development
Youth Empowerment
Good Governance

2025 Electoral Victory

In the May 12, 2025 elections, Aiko Yu To successfully won the vice mayoral race for Pagadian City, defeating incumbent Vice Mayor Baldomero "Boy Baleleng" Fernandez. Her election represents the continued influence of the Yu family in Zamboanga del Sur politics.

Tagline

"Totoong Serbisyu"

15th City Council Leadership

Meet the elected officials serving the people of Pagadian City

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Sangguniang Panlungsod of Pagadian City

📜 Historical Background

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) of Pagadian City stands as the legislative branch of the city government, established under the constitutional framework of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and empowered by Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

Historical Evolution: Since Pagadian's conversion to a city, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has evolved from a traditional council into a modern legislative body that champions participatory governance, transparency, and accountability. Through decades of service, it has consistently upheld the principles of democratic representation and local autonomy.

Legislative Legacy: From 1940 to present, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has enacted thousands of ordinances and resolutions addressing critical issues including urban development, public health, education, environmental protection, economic growth, and social welfare—creating a comprehensive legal framework that governs city operations and protects citizen rights.

Constitutional Role: As the policy-making body of Pagadian City, the Council exercises legislative powers, appropriates funds for city programs, and provides oversight to ensure executive compliance with enacted policies, thereby maintaining the balance of power essential to good governance.

⚖️ Legal Foundation

Constitutional Basis: Article X, Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution

Statutory Authority: Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991)

🎯 Primary Mandate

  • Enact ordinances and approve resolutions
  • Appropriate funds for city programs
  • Exercise oversight functions
  • Represent constituents' interests

👁️ Vision & Mission

Vision: Transparent, accountable, and responsive legislative governance ensuring sustainable development for all Pagadianons

Mission: To legislate policies that promote good governance, social justice, and inclusive growth

⚙️ Operational Workflow

1️⃣ Bill Filing

Councilors propose ordinances/resolutions

2️⃣ Committee Review

Assigned committees conduct hearings

3️⃣ Plenary Deliberation

Full council debates and votes

4️⃣ Executive Action

Mayor approves or vetoes

🎯 Target Accomplishments & Good Governance Initiatives

✅ Digital legislative archive
✅ Transparent budget processes
✅ Public consultation mechanisms
✅ Citizen feedback systems
✅ LLA performance excellence
✅ Paperless council sessions

📋 Functions and Responsibilities

The Sangguniang Panlungsod City Council is the legislative body of a city in the Philippines. It is responsible for creating and enacting policies, ordinances, and resolutions that govern the city's operations, development, and the welfare of its residents.

📜 Legislation

  • Enactment of Ordinances: Drafts, deliberates, and passes ordinances governing public safety, land use, health services, environmental protection, and business regulation.
  • Approval of Resolutions: Adopts resolutions to express collective opinion or authorize specific actions.
  • Taxation and Revenue Generation: Imposes local taxes, fees, and charges for city operations and development.

💰 Budgetary and Financial Control

  • Approval of Annual Budget: Reviews and approves the city's annual budget for efficient resource allocation.
  • Supplemental Budgets: Approves additional budgets for unforeseen expenses or new initiatives.

🔍 Oversight and Monitoring

  • Implementation of Laws: Monitors enforcement of local ordinances.
  • Project Oversight: Ensures projects align with approved plans and budgets.

🗣️ Representation and Advocacy

  • Constituent Representation: Represents interests and concerns of constituents.
  • Public Hearings: Conducts hearings and consultations for transparency and community involvement.

📊 Policy Development

  • Strategic Planning: Crafts long-term development plans including urban planning and disaster risk reduction.
  • Policy Review: Reviews existing ordinances to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

⚖️ Other Functions

  • Local Appointments: Confirms appointments of key city officials made by the mayor.
  • Quasi-Judicial Functions: Hears administrative cases involving city employees or officials.

📄 Complete Documentation Available

⬇️ Download Full Report (DOCX)

Comprehensive details on legal foundations, historical evolution, operational workflows, and strategic accomplishments

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

OFW Stories & Global Coverage

COMMENTARY

Editorial Reflection

SP News Opinion

Ang istorya ni Rhodora Alcaraz dili lamang usa ka balita—kini usa ka buhing hulagway sa kasingkasing ug kalag sa Pilipino.

Sa tibuok kalibutan, mga 2.2 milyon ka Pilipino ang nagserbisyo isip domestic helpers. Kadaghanan kanila walay ngalan sa mga headlines, walay pasidungog, hilom nga nagsakripisyo layo sa ilang mga pamilya.

Apan ang trahedya sa Wang Fuk Court fire nagpadayag sa usa ka kamatuoran: kining mga babaye dili lang "helpers"—sila mga guardian angels nga nagsul-ob og tawhanong panit.

Si Rhodora wala makaila sa bata sulod lamang sa 24 ka oras. Walay utang, walay obligasyon. Apan sa higayon nga ang kalayo ug aso milamoy sa tanan, usa lamang ang iyang nasayran: dili ko mobiya niining bataa.

Ang tinuod nga pagkabayani wala magsugod sa mga super powers. Nagsugod kini sa usa ka simple nga desisyon sa kasingkasing: "Dili ko mobiya."

ED
Editorial Staff SP News
Wang Fuk Court Fire
  • 151 lives lost
  • 40+ hours burned
  • 7 towers affected
  • 24 hours Rhodora knew the baby
Pagadian City Government

PAGADIAN CITY NEWS

City of Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines | Today is

Latest News & Updates

📚 Research in Aid of Legislation

Comprehensive legal research and analysis prepared by Edgar D. Caseñas to support legislative deliberations on the administrative complaint filed against the Punong Barangay of Barangay Lenienza and other cases involving local officials.

Prepared by: Sr. Administrative Assistant

💭 Akong Take: Unsa Gyud ni sa Tinuod

Kining flood control scandal dili lang about sa kwarta nga gikawat—bahin ni sa kinabuhi sa mga Pilipino. Kada tuig, gatusan ang mangamatay tungod sa baha ug landslide...

Opinion piece by: Editorial Staff

NEWS

News Article

💭 Akong Take: Unsa Gyud ni sa Tinuod

Opinion / Commentary on the Flood Control Scandal

Kining flood control scandal dili lang about sa kwarta nga gikawat—bahin ni sa kinabuhi sa mga Pilipino. Kada tuig, gatusan ang mangamatay tungod sa baha ug landslide. Kung tinuod ning mga allegations, ang dugo sa mga typhoon victims naa sa kamot sa mga korap. Ang infrastructure nga dapat makaluwas kanila wala diay gyud na-exist.

Mao ni ang hard truth: Ang accusations ni Co politically explosive, pero lisod gyud i-prove sa court. Ang video statements sa Facebook dili sworn testimony. Kung dili mobalik si Co para mo-testify under oath, ang iyang mga revelations "kwento" lang—makadamage sa reputations, pero dili pa gyud "ebidensya" nga makapriso ug tawo.

Pero klaro ta ani: both ways ni nga situation. Ang administration nga nagtawag kang Co nga "criminal" ug ang iyang claims "hearsay" dili meaning bakak na dayon. Ang bakakon pwede gihapon mosulti ug tinuod. Ang kawatan pwede gihapon mo-expose sa uban nga kawatan.

Duha ra gyud ka possibility diri: Either gina-fabricate ni Co ang tanan para makaikyas sa iyang legal troubles ug ma-destabilize ang government, o substantially true ang iyang accusations ug nagsaksi ta karon ug massive cover-up sa pinakataas nga level sa power. Sa bisan unsang scenario, ang mga Pilipino ang mapildi.

Ang gikinahanglan nato kay independent investigation—dili kontrolado sa Malacañang o sa opposition. Mas importante ang truth kaysa kinsa ang modaog sa political war. Sadly, sa Philippine politics, ang kamatuoran kanunay gyud ang unang mamatay.

Ang deeper question mao ni: Matapos na ba gyud ang corruption, o makalimtan ra sad ni nga scandal after sa next election cycle—parehas sa tanan nga niagi?

Familiar na kaayo ang pattern: mo-erupt ang scandal, mo-peak ang outrage, pipila ka fall guys ang mapriso, ug magpadayon ang sistema. "Ningas kugon" ang tawag ana—kalayo nga kusog mosiga pero dali ra mapalong. Lahi ba kaha karon?

Nanghinaut ko. Pero ang paglaom dili strategy. Sustained public pressure, independent institutions, ug genuine political will lang ang makabungkag sa cycle. Ang 650,000 nga ni-march sa Rizal Park nagpakita nga tinuod ang kasuko sa katawhan.

Ang pangutana kay—molungtad ba ni?

Sangguniang Panlungsod Session News

Official news and updates from the Pagadian City Council Regular and Special Sessions