Former Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso expressed elation over the completion of the new legislative building inside the City Hall compound.
Veloso shared his emotions during an interview with DYTR’s Ardy Araneta-Batoy on March 20, 2026.
The initial planning, funding and construction of the legislative building occurred during the 14th Sangguniang Panlungsod, where he served as vice mayor and presiding officer from 2019 to 2022.
“Lipay gud maam, but I don’t want to claim a monopoly of the credit,” he said, attributing the achievement to all members of the 14th Sanggunian who initiated the project.
He refused to take sole credit for the idea, sharing the accolade with members of the 14th SP, including former City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II, now the first district congressman.
The idea to build a separate legislative building came in 2019 to decongest City Hall, as some areas were occupied by SP members and staff.
Veloso and the 14th SP conceptualized, planned and initially funded the building, but the project was delayed due to the pandemic.
The SP realigned funds to purchase rice for distribution to households in Tagbilaran City and later funded the building using local funds.
Groundbreaking and capsule laying took place in 2021, with the SP funding phases of construction, initially at P20 million pesos and eventually reaching P75 million pesos.
The new legislative building was inaugurated on March 16, 2026, with city elected officials in attendance.
Veloso, who presided over the SP when the building was planned, said he received an invitation but skipped the event to let current officials take center stage.
He believes the building’s completion fulfills the 14th SP’s dream, providing a conducive environment for SP members and staff to serve Tagbilaran’s constituency.
The interviewer lauded Veloso’s humility in refusing to take sole credit for the achievement.
Meanwhile, Veloso said many people are unaware of national issues in the Philippines.
He shared in the March 20, 2026, interview that many people are clueless about what’s happening in the country today.
When asked to comment on the current state of the national government, Veloso responded with a chuckle: “Well, ah, murag daghan pod wa makasabot Ma’am.”
He went on to share his thoughts on national politics, saying: “Murag wait and see pod ang ubang mga tawo nga you know, by two years from now, 2028 presidential elections na pud, so there will be a lot of realignment na pud ani depende sa mga tawo.”
He said he hopes people will choose the right leader, not just locally but throughout the nation.
Veloso remained tight-lipped about his political future, preferring to relish his status as a private citizen while staying available to help when needed.
Veloso lost his bid for city mayor in 2022 to Mayor Jane Yap.
He attempted a return to public service in 2025, running as vice mayor alongside former Coun. Malvin “Atoy” Torralba, but the tandem lost to Mayor Yap and City Vice Mayor Adam Jala.